Top 10 Best Crappie Baits 2023 | What Bait I Should Use for Crappie | Crappie Fishing Explained

Crappie fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing.

Why? Because crappies are both abundant and tasty! They can be found in many different types of water, from small ponds and streams to large reservoirs and lakes. And they taste great whether you fry them up, bake them, or even put them on the grill.

But catching these fish takes a little bit of know-how. That’s why we’ve put together this article with the 10 best crappie baits for you to try out on your next fishing trip. So read on and learn from our experts what is the best way to catch crappie and how to catch more crappies than ever before!

Best Ways to Catch crappie – Top 10 Best Crappie Baits

1. Live Minnows

Live minnows are a popular bait among crappie anglers. These little critters can be used in a variety of ways, but the most effective method is to use a small jig head and thread the minnow on it. The combination of movement from the jig and live action from the minnow makes it very enticing for crappie. If you find that on a particular day, you’ve tried the tube lure, but the crappie isn’t biting, you can switch over to live minnows and see if that makes a difference. You should be able to get minnows from your local bait shop.

2. Jigs

Jigs are another popular bait used by crappie anglers, especially in streams and rivers. There are a variety of best crappie jig heads available on the market in a range of colors and sizes to suit the location you’ll be fishing at. Crappies tend to like the smaller jigs, usually in the 1/32 to 1/16 ounce range. The advantage of using a jig is that you can customize it with your favorite soft plastic partner, such as grubs or minnow imitations, and create a lifelike presentation. You can use them in almost any situation. The 3 types of jigs include hair jigs, round-head jigs, and finesse jigs.

3. Grub Lures

Grubs are soft plastic lures that can be used to target crappie. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes, providing plenty of options when fishing for crappie. The most popular grub lure is the tube-shaped jig head with a tail.

This type of grub lure will create the realistic swimming action of a minnow, enticing crappie to strike. Fishing grubs can also be used with a jig head for more control in deeper water. When choosing the color of your grub lures, you’ll need to consider a few factors such as water clarity, the time of day and the type of environment you’re fishing in.

On a sunny day, choose brighter colored grubs, while darker colors work better on overcast days. The key is to experiment with different color combinations and see what works best in your area.

4. Crankbaits

Crankbaits are a great way to target crappie in deeper water and cover more ground than traditional jigging techniques allow. Most crankbaits come with rattles which can help attract the attention of any nearby fish, making this an ideal bait for trolling or casting.

Depending on the type of crankbait you choose, you can use them to target crappie in shallow or deep water. You can also rig them with a jig to create a more lifelike presentation. A crankbait is a lure made from plastic, metal or wood and is available in a range of colors to match your local environment. Often, crankbaits are associated with largemouth bass, but do not discount them for catching crappie.

If you’re feeling energetic and want to target crappie in deeper water, a crankbait might just do the trick. Some of the best crankbaits for bass include deep diving crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and square bill crankbaits. You can rig crankbaits in a variety of ways, like wacky rigging or Texas rigging, to match the conditions and target different depths. The versatility of crankbait lures and crankbait rigs makes them an excellent option for bass fishing.

5. Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are multi-armed lures that are great for targeting pike or crappie. They have a single blade with 2 or more arms, each armed with one or more hooks. The blade on the spinner will spin when retrieved and create a vibration in the water, making it an effective lure for pike or crappie.

To make the most of this type of bait, use them with a light jig head to keep the spinner close to where you want it to be. Spinnerbaits come in a range of sizes, so you’ll need to choose the right size for your area. In-line spinners serve a different purpose, as they are designed to be used with a bottom bouncer. This type of bait is more effective when trolling in deeper water, as the blades create a vibration in the water column, attracting any fish within range.

With so many great options available for catching pike or crappie, you’ll be sure to find the best bait for your local conditions. It pays to experiment with different baits and techniques, but don’t forget to have fun while doing so. Being seen by the pike or crappie with the right musky spinnerbaits and line is sure to bring in plenty of bites.

6. Dyes

While not strictly a bait, using dyes can be an effective way to draw in crappie. Depending on the type of dye you choose, you can use it as a scent or add visibility to your bait. You can also add dyes to attract crappie during the day or night. When used during the day, lighter colors like yellow, orange, and pink can help draw in crappie while darker colors such as black and blue will work better at night. Additionally, adding dyes to your lure can help create a more lifelike presentation which may increase your chances of catching more fish.

7. Tube lures

Copper tube lures are a favorite among crappie anglers. These tube fishing lures are made from soft plastic and typically come with either single or double hook sets. Copper tubes can be used for jigging, casting, or trolling and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to match your local conditions.

The key is to use the right size copper tube lure for your target species and to add scent or dye to make it more attractive. Copper tubes can be used with a variety of jig heads and can be effective for catching both shallow and deeper water crappie. Fishing tube lures like these tend to work well for crappie as they stay in vegetation or cover.

With so many best crappie baits, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. Ultimately, the best bait to use will depend on your local environment and what works best in your area. Whether you’re jigging, casting or trolling, make sure to have the right bait to maximize your chances of success.

8. Fly Jigs

Fly jigs are a type of artificial lure that looks like a small fly. They’re typically made from soft plastic, feathers, or fur and come with a single hook attached to the head. This type of lure is great for shallow water fishing, usually no more than 6 feet deep. A fast, jerky retrieve is what works best with fly jigs and this action will trigger a Crappie’s predatory instinct. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles, so it pays to experiment to find out which works best for you.

With so many best crappie baits to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the one that works best for you. Don’t forget to experiment and use different techniques in order to find what is most effective in your local area.

9. Live Bait

Live bait is one of the oldest and certainly one of the most popular methods for catching crappie. Worms, minnows, crickets and even frogs can all be used as live bait when targeting this species. When it comes to size, you want something small enough to fit in their mouths but big enough that they won’t be able to swallow it whole. You also want to use a hook size that is appropriate for the bait you are using. Minnows work best when fished on light line or fly rods while worms can be fished on heavier lines with larger hooks.

Live bait has proven itself time and again as one of the best ways to catch crappie, so make sure to have a few of these baits handy when you go out fishing. Experiment with different sizes, colors and types of bait to find the one that works best for your local conditions. You’ll need to give them what they usually eat, and if you can get it right, you’ll be sure to have plenty of success.

These are just some of the best crappie baits to use when targeting crappie. With practice and experimentation, you’re sure to find the one that works best in your area. Don’t forget to use different techniques as well, as no single bait or technique is guaranteed to always work. Be creative and think outside the box — who knows what kind of results you may come up with?

No matter which type of bait you use, make sure to have fun and enjoy yourself on your next crappie fishing trip!

10. Waxworms

Waxworms are a small species of insect that can be found in most bait shops. They’re usually used to catch panfish and other small species, but they also work great for catching crappie. Waxworms come in different sizes and colors, so experiment to find out which works best for you. Since waxworms are fairly soft and delicate, it’s important to use a smaller hook size when fishing with them. This will ensure that the worm stays on the hook long enough for the crappie to take it.

Waxworms can be fished under a bobber or suspended off of bottom structures such as logs or rocks. You can even tip your jigs or hooks with wax worms for added attraction. These worms are especially effective in the springtime when crappie are actively feeding, so make sure to have some of these baits on hand when you go out fishing.

These ten baits should provide plenty of options for targeting Crappie successfully. As with anything else, practice and experimentation will ultimately lead to success. Make sure to have fun and enjoy yourself, and you’re sure to come away with plenty of fish!

Conclusion

With so many baits to choose from, it can be hard to determine which one is the best crappie bait for catching Crappie. But with the right knowledge and the right selection of baits, you’re sure to have plenty of success. Try out different colors, sizes, and styles of baits to find the one that works best for you. Experiment with different techniques, and don’t forget to have fun and enjoy yourself. With the right combination of baits, techniques, and luck, you’ll be sure to have plenty of success when targeting Crappie.

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