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Crappie are the perfect target for a family fishing trip. Easy enough for the little ones, but still fun for more experienced anglers. Part of what makes them great is the variety of ways you can catch them. With that in mind, we’ve covered the best Crappie bait and when to use it. Better get the fryer ready, because you’re in for a Panfish feast!
Crappie Bait Basics
Whatever type of bait you’re using, it needs to match what your target fish is already eating. In most cases, this will be small minnows, insects, and worms. Take a little time to learn what the local forage is, and you’ll notice a real improvement in your catch ratio. This matters as much for lures as for live bait.
It’s not just about the way your bait looks, mind you. Crappie hunt by sight, smell, and by detecting vibrations in the water. Vibration and scent are especially useful in low light conditions or murky waters, while realistic shape and motion are key in clear, shallow waters.
Color is also important, and it changes depending on how deep you’re fishing. Your bait may be bright red on the surface, but it will look dark brown 30 feet down (read up on this in more detail here). The best all-round color combination for Crappie is chartreuse and white, as it contrasts nicely and is visible both near the surface and farther down.
Lastly, keep in mind that feeding habits change throughout the year. In the cooler months, Crappie are mostly opportunistic, picking off easy meals without using too much energy. Once the weather warms, Crappie get more active and start chasing down larger bait. This is especially true in their spring spawning season.
Best Crappie Bait Choices
So, you know the basics: match the local forage and tailor your bait to the conditions, depth, and time of year. But what exactly should you use? You can get away with just about anything, but here are the most effective baits and lures for catching Crappie.
Live Bait
Live bait is the simplest and most obvious choice when targeting Crappie. As mentioned above, it’s best to match whatever the local fish are eating. In most places, the top choice is minnows. Other good bait options include worms, insects, and even small crawfish.
When starting out, rig a few baits at different depths to find where the fish are holding. After that, fish on a bobber to stay near the surface or add some weight to hold deeper. If the fish are getting spooked, try letting a minnow swim free on a weightless line. You can even rig bait onto a lure for added visibility – but more on that below!
Jigs
Jigs are king when it comes to Crappie fishing. You can use them in almost any situation. They can even outfish live bait, especially when the fishing’s hot. You don’t need to deal with keeping them fresh or changing them after every bite, either, which is an added bonus. The three main types of Crappie jigs are solid, tube, and feather.
Solid plastic jigs are great all-rounders. They come in a variety of colors and styles, although small shad or minnow shapes work best. If you want to add scent, try tube jigs. Their hollow shape is perfect for holding fish attractants like Crappie nibbles. Lastly, feather jigs are the best ones to use in combination with live bait, as they let the fish move naturally.
Spinners
If your casts just aren’t getting the attention you want, it’s time to break out the spinners. There are many types out there, but the ones we’d recommend for Crappie are beetle and in-line spinners.
Beetle spinners combine the shape and color of lures with added flash and movement to really draw fish in. In-line spinners aren’t quite as visible, but they’re great for covering ground in shallow water. They don’t get caught up quite as much as other spinnerbaits, although you should still avoid thick vegetation when fishing with them.
Spoons
This one’s for the ice fishers among you, and it should come as no surprise. Spoons are just awesome at imitating weak or injured fish, moving erratically in the water, and making flashes and vibrations as they go. They’re real magnets for slab Crappie hiding under the ice, especially deeper down.
You don’t need to go big to go home loaded with fish. Small, simple spoons work best, although you should switch up a size or two if you’re fishing really deep. Color-wise, stick to the tried-and-true chartreuse. Combine it with gold in low light or silver when the sun’s shining. If you really want to up your chances, trip your hook with a bit of fresh bait for added scent.
More Than One Way to Bait a Crappie
These are some of our favorite lures and baits for Crappie, but they’re not the only ones. Plugs, swimbaits – even nymphs and small popper flies – can have devastating results. But if you’re just starting out, it’s good to get the hang of these basic baits first. You’ll have plenty of time to try new things once you’re hooked on Crappie fishing!
What do you think is the best Crappie bait? Do you agree with our list? Drop us your favorite lures or top tips in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
