Omar Khalid
Crappie anglers have a variety of options when it comes to choosing plastic baits. While live bait and jig and plastics are the most popular choices, there are times when other hard baits can be more effective. Crappie are attracted to small lures, usually in the 1/16-ounce range, and less than 2 inches long. Soft plastic baits are designed to mimic the appearance and movement of real minnows, crayfish, worms, and other food sources. Solid plastic jigs are versatile and effective, and hybrid jigs combine the benefits of both plastic and hair jigs. Anglers can also add a soft plastic to a jig hook, or use plastic lures with added scents to increase their chances of success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bait type | Plastic jig |
| Plastic jig type | Solid, tube, hybrid, Fuzz-E-Grub |
| Plastic jig size | 1-4 inches |
| Plastic jig colour | Red, orange, chartreuse, black, brown |
| Plastic jig tail type | Shad, curly, paddle |
| Plastic jig tail material | Marabou, flashabou, chenille |
| Plastic jig brand | Bobby Garland, Cutthroat, Bass Assassin, Mr Crappie, Crappie Thunder |
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What You'll Learn
- Soft plastic baits that resemble real minnows, crayfish, worms, and other food sources
- Plastic jigs, including solid, tube, and feather varieties
- Hybrid jigs, which combine plastic and hair jig features
- Plastic trailers, with the shad tail being the most popular
- Plastic tubes, which are fished on special tube jig heads
Soft plastic baits that resemble real minnows, crayfish, worms, and other food sources
Soft plastic baits are a great alternative to live bait for anglers who want to avoid the hassle of keeping their live bait alive and dealing with the mess it can create. They are also one of the dominant bait choices among avid crappie anglers.
When it comes to soft plastic baits that resemble real minnows, the 6th Sense Juggle Minnow 4-inch Soft Plastic Lure is a multi-purpose bait with 3D ridge lines and a bulbous tail. The RubberBaits 3.5" Minnow Soft Plastic Jerk Bait is another option. You can also tip a plastic jig with live minnows.
For soft plastic baits that resemble crayfish, the emerald crayfish lure is an option, especially for St. Patrick's Day, due to its green pincers. There is also a craw-shaped soft plastic lure that glows in the dark and is designed to mimic craw-like critters.
Soft plastic worms are another popular option for anglers. Popular brands include Googan Squad, BioSpawn, Yamamoto, and Zoom. There are several rigging methods for plastic worms, including the Texas rig, where a bullet-shaped weight is inserted into the worm's head, and the Carolina rig, which uses a sliding sinker and swivel for a natural presentation.
Shads are another type of soft plastic lure that imitates baitfish and works well with all kinds of gamefish. They come in various sizes and colours, and anglers should choose the appropriate size and colour to match the baitfish in the waters they are fishing.
Ultimately, the best soft plastic bait will depend on the specific fishing situation and the angler's preferences.
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Plastic jigs, including solid, tube, and feather varieties
Plastic jigs are a popular choice for crappie fishing, and there are three main types: solid, tube, and feather. Each has its own advantages and can be used in different situations. Solid plastic jigs are versatile and effective in a variety of fishing conditions. They come in a range of colours and styles, although small shad or minnow shapes tend to work best. You can also find them in various colours, with red being a popular choice for attracting fish. Black 2” Berkeley power grubs on a 1/16 jig head with an ultralight pole are also recommended.
Tube jigs, on the other hand, are hollow and can be filled with fish attractants like crappie nibbles. They are a good option for adding scent to your lure, which can be particularly effective in low light or murky water conditions. Tube jigs also come in a variety of colours and styles, with red and chartreuse being popular choices. Mr Crappie Thunder is a well-liked tube jig due to its solid body and ability to stay on the hook.
Feather jigs are best used in combination with live bait. They allow the live bait to move naturally, increasing the chances of attracting crappie. While colour may not be a defining factor for success, it is still important to consider. The visibility of your bait changes with depth, so it's recommended to use a combination of chartreuse and white, as it provides good contrast and visibility at various depths.
When fishing for crappie, it's important to match the local forage. Crappie feed on small minnows, insects, and worms, so using similar bait can improve your catch ratio. Additionally, consider the time of year and water conditions. In cooler months, crappie may be less active and pick off smaller, easier meals, while in warmer months, they become more active and chase larger bait.
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Hybrid jigs, which combine plastic and hair jig features
Crappie jigs are a cornerstone in the angler's tackle box, renowned for their versatility and effectiveness across various fishing conditions. Hybrid jigs combine the features of both plastic and hair jigs, taking the best elements from each. These hybrid jigs can be incredibly effective for crappie fishing and offer anglers a unique set of advantages.
The design of hybrid jigs allows anglers to benefit from the natural movement and action of hair jigs, while also utilising the durability and versatility of plastic jigs. The hair component of the hybrid jig provides a natural flutter in the water, mimicking the movement of prey, which can be highly enticing to crappie. At the same time, the plastic components add durability and allow for a variety of vibrant colours and reflective finishes that can attract crappie in different light conditions.
One common design of hybrid jigs features a plastic body with a tail made from natural fibres or hair. This combination provides an enticing, lifelike action in the water, attracting crappie through both sight and movement. The plastic body can be designed with intricate details, such as multiple tentacles, that respond to slight twitches and water pressure, making them highly effective for catching inactive or finicky fish.
Additionally, hybrid jigs can be used with different techniques, such as slow jigging in cold water or aggressive retrieves in warmer conditions. This versatility allows anglers to adapt their approach based on the behaviour of the crappie and the fishing conditions they encounter. Anglers can experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques to determine what the fish prefer on a particular day.
When using hybrid jigs, it's important to consider the presentation and movement of the jig. Slow and subtle movements can often be more effective, especially when fishing in deeper waters or when the fish are less active. Additionally, adding attractants like slab sauce can further enhance the effectiveness of hybrid jigs, as the natural fibres can absorb these scents, making the jig even more enticing to crappie.
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Plastic trailers, with the shad tail being the most popular
Plastic trailers are a type of jig lure that can be used for crappie fishing. Jigs are a dominant bait choice among anglers, and plastic jigs have largely replaced hair jigs as the flagship crappie lure. Plastic jigs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, ranging from one inch to around three inches long.
Plastic trailers with shad tails are the most popular choice for crappie fishing. The shad style is very versatile and can be fished in a great number of ways, such as on a jig head, under a bobber, trolled, casted, jigged vertically, or put on a spinner rig. The shad body and straight tail is the best-selling design, with the curly tail being a close second.
The paddle tail grub is another popular plastic trailer that produces crappie when retrieved at a slightly faster clip. They work best when crappie are more active and willing to chase. Tube baits are also worth noting, as they were once the most common plastic crappie lure. These baits have several tentacles that respond to slight twitches and water pressure, making them effective for catching inactive or finicky fish.
When choosing a plastic trailer for crappie fishing, it is important to consider the size and colour of the lure. Smaller lures in the 1/16-ounce range, less than two inches long, are recommended for crappie fishing. Crappie have small mouths, so it is generally best to keep the lure size small. Brighter colours such as orange and chartreuse with some darker blacks and browns can also attract crappie.
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Plastic tubes, which are fished on special tube jig heads
Plastic tubes are a great option for crappie fishing, especially when used with a specialised tube jig head. These jig heads are designed to be inserted inside the hollow body of the tube. The weighted side of the jig head is stuck completely inside the tube, and then you punch a hole where you connect the line through the plastic and tie it up.
To fish with this setup, cast your line and let the tube sink to the bottom. Then, pop your rod tip a few times and let the tube settle back down. Repeat this action all the way back to the boat. This technique creates a swirling effect as the tube sinks, imitating a dying or injured bait fish, which can be very effective at attracting crappie.
When using plastic tubes for crappie fishing, it is important to consider the colour and size of the tube. Some anglers prefer red tube jigs, as they have found them to be very attractive to crappie. Additionally, tube jigs in the range of 1/16 to 1/32 oz are commonly used for crappie fishing.
While plastic tubes can be effective, it is worth noting that there are a variety of other lures and baits that can also be successful for catching crappie. These include live minnows, crickets, mealworms, wax worms, plugs, swimbaits, nymphs, small popper flies, and more. It is often recommended to match your bait with what the local fish are eating, which is usually small minnows, insects, and worms.
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Frequently asked questions
Some good crappie plastic baits include the crappie monster uppercut and small fry, Bobby Garland, Cutthroat, bass assassin, Mr Crappie, crappie thunder, and the Strike King sausage head jig.
It is recommended to use smaller lures, less than 2 inches long, and fished with twitches and intermittent pausing. You can also add a soft plastic to a jig hook or use Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, or a straight rig to a bait hook.
Live baits such as minnows, crickets, mealworms, and wax worms are effective for attracting both black and white crappies. Other options include hair jigs, small ice fishing spoons, and various lures such as plugs, swimbaits, nymphs, and small popper flies.
Crappie are available throughout the year, but their spawning season is a favourite time for anglers. This occurs during late spring and early summer in most areas, bringing schools of crappie into shallow waters where they are more accessible.
It is important to match the type of bait to what the target fish is already eating, which is usually small minnows, insects, and worms. Crappie hunt by sight, smell, and by detecting vibrations in the water, so consider using bait with added scents in low light conditions or murky waters.
