Johnston, 41, says brush piles are to crappie what corn feeders are to whitetail deer. Build one at a favorable location and there is a good chance you will draw a crowd.

Try minnows or jigs 10 to 25 feet around standing timber or brush piles. The best striped bass fishing is from Prairie Creek south into the White and War Eagle tributaries.

Crappie brush piles Sinking brush in small piles, or in bunches depends on what type of fish you are after.

The best crappie guides on Texas lakes have available to them the electronic or mental coordinates of no fewer than 100 brush piles.