On Lake Conroe, summer crappie fishing rewards the angler willing to hunt. North of 1097, where standing timber and stump fields demand respect, Loren Goodrich eases forward with the trolling motor down. Fanning his sonar, he scans the underwater structure looking for a "big blob." Then, "Just pitch it to 'em, let it pendulum back, and you'll whack 'em."
Goodrich, of Houston Deck and Shade, says the fish bunch up around timber, brush piles, and structure. For boaters, that creates opportunity, but it also calls for caution.
“You gotta be careful, don't just take off running on a plane, because you will drive a hole through your boat.” Goodrich says.
His advice: stay in the boat lanes, avoid running on plane through timber, and ease into fishing water with the trolling motor down.
Goodrich’s favorite summer pattern involves looking in about 20 feet of water and pitching small baits toward standing timber. With live sonar, he can see schools gathered near the trees, then cast from a careful distance. Get too close, he says, and the school may drift away.
His tackle setup is straightforward: an eighth-ounce jig head paired with black-and-chartreuse or blue ice-style jigs. Around brush piles, he favors a long, stiff rod, strong braided line, and a solid hook set. The goal is to get the crappie out of the structure before it tangles itself deep in the brush.
For beginners, Goodrich says crappie fishing can be as technical or simple as you make it. A few hooks, minnows, weights, and a willingness to learn where fish gather can get someone started. Location is everything.
“You can have the best baits and the best boat and the best equipment,” he says, “but if you can’t find the fish, you’re not going to catch them.”
Goodrich does not watch the weather. Unless conditions are clearly dangerous, his philosophy is simple: go when you have the chance. Overcast, humid days can be excellent, but so can bright, hot summer days, when crappie gather tightly in the shade.
That same mindset shapes the way he talks about family life. Goodrich has taken all three of his children out on the boat since they were babies, and he encourages other parents not to make fishing something reserved only for adults.
“If your kids can walk, if they’re even in diapers, your kids are never too young to go fishing,” he says.
For the Goodrich family, the boat is both recreation and education. On the water, children learn patience, attention, responsibility, and where food comes from. They notice the lake, the weather, the fish, and the quiet beauty of God’s creation around them. They learn gratitude and recognize that time outdoors is one of the simple gifts best shared with family.
For Goodrich, those lessons do not stay on the lake. Showing up prepared, paying attention, and caring for the people beside you also shape the way he talks about Houston Deck and Shade.
“We don’t just show up physically,” he says. “We show up with a plan, we show up prepared, and we show up with a smile.”
In an industry where homeowners worry about misinformed, uneducated, or unscrupulous contractors, Goodrich views his role as a trusted guide. Whether easing through timber on Lake Conroe or helping a customer plan an outdoor living project, the principles remain familiar: preparation, trust, and the right expertise make the experience easier.
To learn more about Houston Deck and Shade, call 832-480-5161 or visit HoustonDeckAndShade.com.
To fish Lake Conroe this summer, start carefully, bring the kids, and respect the water.