“We just don’t have a lot of great crappie waters,” Myers said. “One that has some crappie is Lake Falcon, but it is depressed and recovering from the lengthy drought. We are seeing some signs that they are coming back, but it will be a matter of time. Amistad is another one: There are some crappie in there -- it’s just that no one goes after them. Most anglers that go to Amistad are after bass or catfish.”

The one bright spot in South Texas crappie fishing is generally regarded to be Choke Canyon Reservoir, not far from Corpus Christi. While not home to the best crappie angling the state has to offer, the slab action can be pretty good at times on this 25,670-acre water body.

“All of our sampling for crappie on Choke Canyon is off of random sites,” said TPWD inland fisheries biologist John Findeisen. “Sometimes we pick them up and sometimes not. Last year, we picked up some good ones in our sampling. I wouldn’t expect it to be outstanding this year, but not real poor either.”

Which sounds much like the overall crappie forecast for all of the Lone Star State -- perhaps not the best of years, but certainly not the worst either.

Which in the mind of yours truly -- and many other anglers, I’m sure -- is more than enough reason to grab a cane pole or ultralight spinning rig, some minnows and/or jigs, and an empty fish basket.

“Oh, yes -- there is still ample reason to get your gear out and go crappie fishing,” agreed Provine.

And I’m quite certain that legions of slab connoisseurs across the great state of Texas couldn’t agree more.

Find more about Texas fishing and hunting at: TexasSportsmanMag.com