Jan. 24, 2019
CALENDAR FORMAT
WHAT: Crappie University
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: SSB auditorium (multi-purpose room) at St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. in Cottleville
CONTACT INFO: Scott Kearns at 636-922-8667 or skearns@stchas.edu
NEWS STORY FORMAT
Crappie University Coming to SCC on Feb. 16
St. Charles Community College will host a popular nationally-known accelerated course in crappie fishing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 16. The course, Crappie University, will be taught by three experts with years of experience in guiding, tournament fishing and pursuing America's favorite panfish - the crappie - year-round.
Most anglers fish for crappie in the spring when they spawn in shallow water and near banks. However, a more knowledgeable fisherman can catch the fish throughout the year. Crappie University, a national collegiate-partnership program, was founded to help improve the success of crappie fishermen.
Attendees will learn every popular technique - from spider rigging to long lining, pushing crankbaits to pulling them, vertical jigging to dock shooting and more. Information is presented in a variety of formats and involves hands-on learning. Electronics are valuable tools for crappie anglers, so class instruction has a heavy focus on using electronics for finding and catching crappie in all seasons.
There are a variety of instructors to teach the class, as this provides students with technique and education versatility. Instructors - George Toalson, Kyle Schoenherr and Jim Dant - are full-time crappie guides, professional anglers and fishing industry experts, and include some of the best-known authorities in the sport.
George Toalson of Claremore, Okla., is a retired school teacher. Toalson grew up fishing with his dad, and his passion for the sport led to his second career as production manager and lure designer at Gene Larew/Bobby Garland lure company in Tulsa. Toalson has extensive fishing knowledge both above and below water - as an angler and a scuba diver - both contributing to his development of new lures and colors. George likes to cast soft plastics for crappies on his favorite Oklahoma waters of Grand Lake, Hudson and Ft. Gibson.
Kyle Schoenherr lives in Oakdale, Ill., and is a full-time professional crappie angler and guide. Schoenherr is widely considered one of the top tournament pros in the country by his fellow competitors and from media sources such as Crappie NOW and CrappieCrazy.com. Schoenherr's All Seasons Crappie Fishing Guide Service frequents Illinois' Rend Lake, Kinkaid and Lake of Egypt, allowing clients to choose among jigging, fishing with a slip bobber or spider rigging in order to fit preferences or learn a desired technique. Among his many tournament trophies are the 2015 Crappie National Championship on Kentucky Lake, Tenn., and 2015 Crappie USA National Championship on Patoka Lake, Ind.
Eureka, Mo., angler Jim Dant may live near St. Louis, but his passion for crappie fishing has given him several “home” lakes in Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee. He frequents Truman, Mark Twain, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake of Egypt, Carlyle Lake and Reelfoot. Dant has multiple wins to his credit along the national crappie tournament trails. He enjoys taking youth on their first crappie fishing outings. He fishes year-round for crappie, but he especially enjoys fishing in the winter.
The registration fee of $99 covers all course materials, including samples of crappie lures and jigheads, and an on-site lunch.
For more information and to register, contact the Continuing Education Department at 636-922-8233 or stchas.edu/learnforlife.
St. Charles Community College strives to provide reasonable accommodations to all people at any SCC-sponsored event. Please contact Disability Support Services at dss@stchas.edu or 636-922-8581 as early as possible to discuss your needs.
St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.