Major.. Your beloved crankbait method may just survive. Because crankbaits are the fastest growing bait revenue stream in the crappie industry. I also suspect on TV you could see the poles jerk and bow with the strike. Remember the message is not that us die hard crappie fishermen do not have fun catching crappie with bunches of poles and dozens of minnows. The message is it is not entertaining to watch and does not sell baits or attract sponsors.
Here is another sport that was changed by TV and sponsors.. Deer hunting,, You guys remember when dog hunting ruled deer hunting?... Almost unheard of now..
I will be honest I look forward to the day I can watch professional crappie fishermen making a good living on ESPN..
Crappie fishermen have proved to be an adaptive group accepting changes and prospering. I miss the good ole days of dog hunting deer and I will look back on spider rigging the same way.. Just a view from my crystal ball..
