Crappie is a popular game fish, and there are many lures on the market designed to catch them. So, what are the best lures for crappie? On this best lures for crappie post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular lures and discuss why they work well for crappie. We’ll also provide some tips on how to use these lures to catch more crappie.
You’ve got to have the best lures for crappie. We all know it, and everyone somehow seems to have one or two in their tackle boxes. I’m not sure whether it’s because of the memories offered by catching them with a hook-and-line, or what, but I do know that nobody does crappie lures better than Bud Bozarth. Now on a slight side note, if you are looking for good bass lures it would be worth your time to find out about one of his other books on bass fishing.
- Blakemore Road Runner
- Lunker City Fin-S Fish
- Berkley Gulp! Minnows
- Swimbait: Berkley PowerBait Pre-Rigged Swim Shad
- Rapala Original Floating Minnow
- Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait
- Bobby Garland Mo’Glow/StrollR’ Grubs Crappie Lures / Bobby Garland Mo’ Glo Slab Slay’R
- VMC Tungsten Probe Jig
- Marabou Jig
- Spinner: Worden’s Original Rooster Tail Spinner Lure
1. Best Crappie JigHead: Blakemore Road Runner
The Road Runner jig is one of the most popular baits in fishing. The lure has been used for years and is highly effective for catching crappies, bluegills, walleye, and other fish. In addition to its traditional body configuration, There are also soft plastic grubs with curling tails, tube lure styles, chenille bodies, and wispy marabou tails. The jig works best in flat water and slow-moving rivers, with the fish generally feeding around weeds and submerged rocks. The Road Runner attracts fish with its unique two-weight sets, large hook, and spinner included in the lure head. This jig is a dive-preferred floater that can be fished atop the bottom and retrieved off the bottom. The large hook keeps your line on the bottom and protects it from damage.
Key Features
- Size: It comes in 1/32, ¼, ⅛, and 1/8 ounce sizes.
- Color:-Comes in chartreuse, red, and black.
- It’s shaped like a Pony!
- It’s among the most productive crappie jigs ever.
- Designed by Bert Hall.
- Great for various applications.
- Can be used with or without a trailer.
- Famous for working well in heavy cover.
- Great for beginners or for producing finesse presentations.
- Nice weight to it and all of the colors are great.
- The blade sometimes acts as a deterrent.
2. Best Crappie Soft Baits: Lunker City Fin-S Fish
The Fin-S Fish is the original gliding soft bait manufactured by Lunker City. It features a thinner, deeper-bodied profile and a seductive forked tail that will make bass bite in droves. If you’re looking to catch bass with a soft bait, the Fin-S Fish is your best bet!Designed with a thinner, deeper-bodied profile and a seductive forked tail, Fin-S Fish is simply too enticing for lunkers to resist. The Fin-S Fish is also a highly effective spinner bait and swimbait as well as a swimming jig. The Fin-S’s fish-catching abilities, lunker style, and subtle action make it the most popular soft plastic lure used in saltwater for shallow water games such as bass, crappie, and bluegill
In recent years, its fish-catching abilities and its popularity with anglers have prompted several manufacturers to copy the Fin-S Fish blatantly. However, none of the clones can compare to the original Lunker City in terms of fish-catching performance or color patterns that accurately portray different species of baitfish.
Key Features
- Lure Color: 7 colors available.
- Lure Weight: 0.19 Pounds.
- Lure Size: 5-3/4-Inch.
- 50pcs chicken fat finger grubs.
- Lightweight.
- Flush to the head.
- Straight tail or offset tail.
- Wide guard.
- Whippy 7.
- Good carp and whirling dervish.
- Perform with confidence.
- Fin-s fish grub is yummy.
- Thin, deep, and compact.
- Fished slowly, this grub hangs in the column, then darts away when the bite is on.
- Expensive.
3. Berkley Gulp! Minnows
Berkley’s Gulp! Minnow soft bait is shaped like a real minnow and its scent will draw in big crappies. The one-inch Gulp makes it easy to use while fishing your favorite drop shot or jig heads. If you want to use this bait on a drop shot rig, we recommend using our #7 or #8 #8/0 Hook with 4X Long Shank Plated Jig Head (sold separately).
Eliminate the need for a minnow bucket with Berkley Gulp! Minnows. They are soft bait with a realistic tail and color that offers sweetening agents for crappie. We recommend at least one realistic color, some sparkle, and a few color options for different water and light conditions.
Key Features
- Comfortable design with integrated grip.
- Durability and reliability.
- Sustainable materials.
- Available in smelt color; measures 2-1/2-inch.
- Gulp minnow can outfish the real thing.
- Biodegradable water-based formula.
- Intended for muskie fishing.
- The water-based formula has a lifelike taste and texture.
- Split tail and powerful scent.
- Made in the USA.
- Scented.
- Excellent trolling imitation or cast bait.
- Easy to use.
- A blend of peanut butter, and fish oils.
- Great for any season or time of day.
- Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass love it.
- Little small.
4. Swimbait: Berkley PowerBait Pre-Rigged Swim Shad
Berkley Pre-Rigged Swim Shad is a replica of the juvenile crappie’s natural prey, including shad, bass, perch, and bluegill. The lure is set with a soft 3D eye, giving it a lifelike appearance. The Berkley PowerBait Pre-Rigged Swim Shad comes in three sizes: 2, 3, and 4 inches – depending on the type of water you are fishing in. Each one has been built with a premium hook and paddle tail for high action in clear water or with natural bait in murky conditions.
This Lure is designed to imitate various crappie prey species, including shad, bass, and bluegills. “Pre-rigged” with a premium hook and paddle tail for realistic high-action movement, Berkley lures are great ways to hone your casting skills, from smallmouth to largemouth bass.
Key Features
- Available in three sizes: 2, 3, and 4 Inches.
- HD Tru Color.
- Pre-rigged and ready to fish.
- Available in various colors.
- Pre-rigged and ready to go.
- Ideal reaction bait.
- Attracts many species.
- Pre-rigged with a premium hook.
- Paddle tail for high action.
- Holographic inserts for lifelike appearance.
- Incredibly lifelike.
- Can be used in many different situations.
- Use with a variety of species.
- Tail to help it stand out.
- Comes assembled.
- Ease of use.
- Paddle tail for lifelike action and high-action movement.
- Great for bass, crappie, walleye, and other predator species.
- Factory-tuned hooks.
- rigged and ready to fish.
- powered by Berkley tackle jighead technology.
- unique tail vibration draws even.
- Lifelike detail.
- Realistic appearance.
- Less visible in night fishing.
5. Rapala Original Floating Minnow
The Rapala Original Floating Minnow is your choice for lures when you’re looking to catch crappies on the surface or in shallow water. Its lifelike action, slender body, and rattleback design are irresistible to crappie species. With a 1-1/8-ounce balsa wood body and three hook configurations, the Rapala Original Floating Minnow offers ultimate sensitivity along with its increased profile to snag finer line presentations of baitfish.
Also, This Lure is a diving minnow, and at 3 cm or 5cm in length, depending on the size you choose to order, it makes for a tasty-looking treat for any estuary or freshwater predator. The Rapala Original Floating Minnow Fishing Lure has long been the number one “go-to “ lure with its high-quality finish and irresistible action. It’s hard to tie on anything else!
Key Features
- Proven perch pattern.
- VMC hooks.
- Natural minnow profile.
- Floating Style Lure/Diving Bib.
- Quality Split Rings and Trebles.
- Amazing Rolling Action on the Retrieve.
- Highly Successful on Trout, crappie, walleye as well as estuary.
- Perfect lure for Trout and Estuary fishing.
- Use this versatile lure for casting or light trolling.
- Hand-made in the U.S.A.
- Natural minnow profile.
- Balsa Wood Construction.
- Easy to use at a good price.
- Little Expensive than the other option.
6. Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait
Strike King has a variety of soft plastics on the market, but when you’re looking for a really solid bait that jigs like no other, then look no further. I like using small jig heads for crappie, though I vary their sizes until I find what’s being hit that day. Among my favorites is the Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait, which is a great size to reach for in summer when conditions are warm.
The Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait features a tail similar to that of tube baits that undulate with very little movement and “swims” when jigged. Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder baits have a substantial body, so even after catching much fish, they remain firmly attached to the hook. Developed in collaboration with Wally Marshall, better known as Mr. Crappie, the bait is big and bulky so that crappie can spot it easily when it’s dropped into the middle of heavy cover.
Key Features
- Comes in at least 3 colors
- The tail moves very little when jigged
- Use it for vertical presentations
- Constructed of soft plastic.
- Great for spring fishing.
- Nice bulky profile.
- Fish can’t tear through it because of its solid body.
- Beefy plastic keeps them attached to your line.
- Great for fishing and trolling.
- Designed to draw crappies to your line.
- Equipped with a paddle tail that undulates with little movement.
- Perfect for deep water crappies.
- Draw pushes to your line.
- Perfect for shore fisherman.
- Features a tail similar to tube baits.
- Stays securely on the hook.
- Start catching.
- Excellent for fishing multiple species.
- Gives a wide variety of movements.
- Not the most durable as others.
7. Bobby Garland Mo’ Glo Stroll’R
It doesn’t get any better than Mo’ Glo Stroll’R. The only other bait that offers as much slab-slaying action as the Bobby Garland Mo’ Glo Stroll’r, this lure features a minimalist profile and subtle tail-wagging action that elicits bites in every crappie environment. In addition to its unbelievable vibration and action, its super-glow formulation makes it easily visible in stained water and low light conditions.
Take the most effective and efficient bait ever made for crappies. Its ultra-vibrant, super-glow finish makes it easy to spot on the water and in low light conditions, while its streamlined design makes it perfect for jigging. A simple rig adds an irresistible pull tab that lets you skip your way back into the darkest corners of crappie territory with a single cast.
The Bobby Garland Mo’ Glo Stroll’r is the only other crappie bait that offers as much slab-slaying action as the original Stroll’r. In addition to its unbelievable vibration and action, Mo’ Glo Stroll’r will brighten your prospects with its super-glow formulation that makes it easily visible in stained water and low light conditions.
Key Features
- Excellent for vertical jigging.
- Rig it onto a favorite jighead.
- Ideal for murky water and low light.
- Superior vibration and action.
- The super-glow formula for magnetic attraction.
- Use for casting and vertical jigging too.
- Smooth tail action.
- Great for vertical jigging and trolling.
- Over 25 years of quality lures.
- The most trusted name in crappie lures.
- Super glow bright finish!
- Great for low light and stained water.
- Safe and easy dock shooting.
- A better way to dock shoot.
- Sometime, the action may be excessively aggressive.
8. VMC Tungsten Probe Jig
The VMC Tungsten Probe Jig is the ideal jig for crappie and is best fished on a small soft plastic. Fish it in the same way you would use soft plastics, but switch up the color. Try chartreuse glow or natural glow in combo with black or pink chartreuse glow to find crappie under the ice.
Most soft plastics are not as easy to fish as they look. The VMC Tungsten Probe Jig is so easy to use, you can use it as your first jig or for targeting sharks or panfish that don’t bite often. It’s a great choice for crappie, walleye, and trout.
This Jig has a tungsten body and a jig head with a VMC cone-shaped weight for natural fish. The Tungsten Probe has been brought to market to replace the traditional silver wire jigs used for crappie fishing, which have proven to be quite deadly. Some anglers have been reported to have over 9 -10 foot long minnows clamped by their mouths.
Key Features
- Choose 1/16 and 1/32 oz.
- Natural colors for a natural look.
- Excellent for deep, vertical presentations.
- Compact, heavy tung.
- Fit for small fry and minnows (pond, lake, and river).
- Gets to the bottom for deepwater crappies.
- Increased the swimming action with a subtle tail kick.
- Choose from two pre-rigged baits.
- Two sizes are available.
- Tungsten jig heads.
- blackout tags must be removed to be sellable.
- Largemouths bite hot in the fall and winter.
- Try different line weights and colors.
- Tungsten jigheads sink fast for reaching deepwater crappies.
- Sink too quickly, especially when casting for suspended fish.
9. Marabou Jig
Marabou jigs are cheap, simple, and work extremely well. They are available in a wide range of colors and color combinations, but they all basically have the same basic design: a ball-head jig with a chenille-wrapped body that holds a tuft of fish-attracting marabou feathering at the tail. These lures have produced impressive results wherever crappies are found, whether they be trolled, cast, or pushed using spider rigging. They have also produced IGFA world records, such as a remarkable 4 pounds 8 ounces black crappie obtained in March 1981.
Crappies love it, and a few anglers love them so much they have made them the lures of choice for any type of fish-holding tackle. Marabou feathering used in the tail creates a mesmerizing action as the lure swims along. The simple, basic marabou jig may have been used to catch more crappies in more places than all other lures combined. The power that crappies have in restricting their range has led to the development of artificial shrimp on jigs. The use of shad heads, gizzard shad, or any other substance that can simulate the physical profile of a natural shrimp has increased greatly in recent years. Many fishermen are reporting significantly improved performance by using this lure during extended outings.
Key Features
- The lure comes in 3 different sizes.
- great for different fishing conditions.
- The 60-degree rotated jig eye allows greater control.
- Hook made of high-carbon steel.
- Natural hair for life-like action.
- Flashabou fibers reflect light for added attraction.
- The jig is hard to fish incorrectly.
- It’s very affordable.
- Explore the bait.
- Has a marabou jig like this one.
- Innovative design.
- The hook is handmade and designed for safety.
- Snap is positioned to reduce wear and tear.
- Abrasion resistant.
- Heat treated to maximize strength.
- Available for a limited time only.
10. Spinner: Worden’s Original Rooster Tail Spinner Lure
The Worden’s Original Rooster Tail Spinner Lure is one of the most productive lures ever created and is still being sold today. Howard Worden developed this spin-and-dance lure in the 1950s as part of our Bait Bite Series collection. These durable, colorful, and pulsating canine-tailing roosters can be seen flashing, flying, and darting along your crappie fishing line. They are the perfect combination of action, color, and “snappy” feather tails!
This lure is incredibly versatile and has been a favorite component in bass fishing techniques since 1950. It’s designed to cast loose and get stripped back, making it easy to add weight if necessary. The hook is offset from the blade, providing an extra degree of wobble action. With this lure, you can target walleye, pike, muskies, and more
Worden’s Original Rooster Tail will catch fish in any condition. From spring through fall, these lures attract gamefish in clearer waterways and lakes. The diameters of Worden’s rooster tails are very varied. For crappie, we prefer 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 ounces, and all three have consistently performed well.
Key Features
- Available in 3 sizes (1/16, ½, ¼).
- Colorful and pulsating hackle tail.
- UV finish is available.
- For crappie, we recommend 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 ounces.
- They are proven effective.
- Ideal for trophy bass, Crappie, pike, stripers, and other fish.
- Choose between brass, silver, or copper blades.
- Ideal sizes range from 1/16 – ¼ ounces
- fuscia.org/Rooster-Tails.
- All sizes are available.
- Lures with sharp blades.
- Extremely productive.
- The in-line weighted body design.
- Expensive.
best lures for crappie in summer
Crappie season is almost over, but there’s still plenty of fishing left to do. While live bait and jigs are always useful, they’re not what you’re after when trying to catch crappies in the summer. Artificial lures offer more versatility and by following some simple tips you can start catching more crappies.
If you want to catch crappie in summer, you’ll need a few artificial lures and live bait. If you choose to use live bait, make sure to throw it at a fast-moving boat that draws in crappies when they’re near shallow water. This can be done by casting into the wind and slowly allowing your lure near the surface of the water while keeping the wind moving it a short distance at a time.
If you fish the crappie season in late summer, early fall, and especially late summer, a small spinnerbait containing Tungsten has been producing exceptional action for crappies. I’ve also found that it seems to select larger fish in a school of these panfish. For that reason alone, VMC Tungsten Probe Jig should be worth adding to your panfish arsenal.
A small spinnerbait has provided great crappie action throughout the summer and early fall. I’ve noticed that separating some of the larger fish from a school of crappies also helps. The VMC Tungsten Probe Jig is advantageous for pan fishing for that reason alone.
The best bait for crappie in spring
Most crappie anglers know that there are a lot of great options when it comes to catching crappie in spring, especially when you’re targeting larger fish. Whether you enjoy fishing a little smaller or want something a little bigger, crappie lures will work for you too. The best way to ensure that your fishing trip is successful is by having the right equipment and having some good bait on hand. To help get started on what type of lure you might need, let’s look at the best bait for crappie in spring.
In spring, crappie moves shallow to spawn and then returns to deeper water in the summer. This is when a lightweight jig is ideal for fishing depths of 1 to 3 feet. If you’re after deepwater docks and slabs, try using Berkley PowerBait Pre-Rigged Swim Shad, Rapala Original Floating Minnow, and Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait are best bait for crappie in spring.
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Things to Consider When Choosing best lures for crappie
Jigs
Jigs are one of the most best lures for crappie. They are simple to use and work well in a variety of situations. Crappie is attracted to jigs because they look like small fish or insects.
There are different jigs on the market, but many anglers prefer to use soft plastic jigs. These jigs are made from soft plastic, which makes them more durable and easier to work with. They also feature a weighted head that helps them sink quickly to the bottom.
When using a soft plastic jig, you’ll want to use a light rod and reel combo. This will allow you to work the jig effectively and make it look more lifelike. When casting the jig, try to use a slow and steady motion. Once the jig reaches the bottom, slowly twitch the rod to make the jig move around. This will entice crappie to bite.
Minnow lures
Minnow lures are another popular choice for crappie. These lures are designed to look like live minnows, and they work well in various situations.
When using a minnow lure, you’ll want to use a light rod and reel combo. This will allow you to work the lure effectively and make it look more lifelike. When casting the lure, try to use a slow and steady motion. Once the lure reaches the bottom, slowly twitch the rod to make the lure move around. This will entice crappie to bite.
jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are a type of lure that is designed to imitate baitfish. They feature a soft plastic body with a weighted head that allows them to sink quickly. Jerkbaits are also equipped with a long, thin tail that can be manipulated to create a variety of movements.
You’ll want to use a light rod and reel combo when using a jerk bait. This will allow you to work the lure effectively and make it look more lifelike. When casting the lure, try to use a slow and steady motion. Once the lure reaches the bottom, start to jerk the rod rapidly to create movement. This will entice crappie to bite.
Crappie Fishing In Muddy water
In murky water, the three most effective lure colors for crappie are chartreuse, black, and blue. A common fishing color that resembles neon green is chartreuse. The crappie and other species are attracted to the vivid hue. Because they complement one another so well, white and chartreuse make the best combination.
Water Color
Crappie can see pretty well in clear water, but you must utilize realistic colors. While muted tones, natural colors, and lures that closely resemble common prey items are desirable, bright colors can still induce a bite. But in muddy or opaque water, brighter colors are crucial for evoking a predatory response.
Water quantity
Crappie moves shallow in the spring to spawn. They dive deeper in the summer to avoid the hot sun. In the spring, a lightweight jig is appropriate for fishing in depths between one and three feet; in the summer, you might be trolling with a Rapala Original Floating Minnow or a Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait or fishing docks with a Bobby Garland Mo’ Glo Slab Slay’R.
Crappie Hook Size
Crappie, for whatever reason, hasn’t earned their reputation for being “papermouths.” They do have big mouths but they can also take a pretty big hook. We often fish #2 and #4 hooks depending on what we are putting on each hook. It’s important to remember that hooks with a #6 or smaller shank can pull themselves free from a crappie’s mouth more easily.
Crappie requires a delicate hookset, but there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting lures and hooks. Even while crappies have rather large mouths for their size, smaller hooks can more easily remove themselves from a crappie’s mouth.
Fishing Skills
To catch more crappie, you need to find productive areas. By pre-scouting your lakes, you’ll spend more time in productive areas. Map out the best fishing areas using GPS technology, and let us know what we can do to help get you on the water.
Weather Condition
Crappie is sensitive to cold, so if the weather is cold, it could mean a rough fishing day. Even on frozen lakes, crappie is still sensitive to changes in weather. Be patient and change your tactics when the going gets tough.
Fishing Technique
Crappie can be caught in many ways, and the approach you use will determine the lure you use. It is unlikely that the finest crappie bait for jigging deep brush piles will also be the best for skipping docks. I’ve simplified the process of choosing lures by pointing out which ones are most effective for certain uses.
There are many ways to catch crappie, and the lure you use will depend on your method. The best lures for crappie won’t be the ideal ones to use while jigging through the dense bush or when skipping docks. I’ve simplified things by finding out which lures will work best for certain situations.
FAQs
What color jigs do crappie like the best?
When you’re fishing for crappies in stained water, I recommend using green, chartreuse, and lime lures. Orange-white works well sometimes, but all-white isn’t good because it doesn’t contrast with the other colors very well. When you’re fishing for crappies in stained water with low light conditions and heavy algae blooms on the surface, I recommend using chartreuse and orange lures. Contrasting these two colors together or with black or brown lures is a good strategy when fishing for crappies near shallow water.
Crappie spawn in the spring and into the early summer, depending on their environment. They are most aggressive during this time. Bright colors like green, hot pink, chartreuse, orange, and red are best to use when fishing for crappie during the spawn.
How do you rig crappie lures?
Single Rig: When tying on a jig, use a knot that will allow the jig to move freely in the water without restriction. The Trilene knot and the loop knot are both common knots. Simply tie your jig to your fishing line; a leader is frequently not required.
Double Rig: A crappie rig allows you to fish two jigs at once from your line, which increases the chances of catching crappie and gives you the option of using two different colors or styles of jigs if you want to find out what’s biting. This video shows how to tie a double crappie rig with your mainline and a Palomar knot.
What is the best method for crappie fishing?
Anglers often use different methods to catch crappie, depending on what they are trying to catch and the water conditions. One popular method is the spider rig, which involves tying a minnow to a bobber. Crankbaits and soft plastics are only a couple of artificial lures that catch the attention of crappies frequently.
While a spider rig is one of the most popular methods for catching crappie, there are many other tactics that anglers can use. Many anglers prefer cranking jigs or minnows rigged with lead jig heads, while some favor plastic jigs, crankbaits, or live minnows. So be prepared with multiple baits for any situation you might encounter on the lake.
How do you use a float/bobber for crappie?
I use a float with a small jig or slip bobber at least 3 of the time while fishing for crappies or bass. Adding a stop knot or bobber stop to your line and placing a small plastic bead in between the float and the stop is the simplest way to fish with a float. When fishing in water that is shallower than three feet, a small fixed float or clip-on style bobber also works well.
When fishing for crappies in shallow water or around shallow brush or grass. I like one that allows me to adjust how much the float sits more than the surface. I also like to fish a float with a stop knot, which keeps the line from pulling up when there’s nothing on it. Crappies don’t want to feel resistance when they swim by; that means you can win big by using different types of floats and baits.
What is more challenging than finding a good fishing spot?
Finding a good place to fish with someone else! Make sure you are prepared and have everything you need along with you to ensure that your time together spent fishing will be enjoyable.
Final Thoughts On Best Lures for Crappie
Crappies are one of the most popular sports fish living in North America. Because of their high numbers, crappies offer anglers one of the best opportunities to observe and interact with multiple species in various environments. Choosing the best lures for crappie fishing can be tricky because they have small mouths that require light, sensitive hooks. Here are our top picks to help you start your crappie fishing adventure!
The future of fishing is bright indeed. Not only are anglers continuing to enjoy success, but the rise in the popularity of fishing has led to a number of exciting developments in the tackle industry. Better tackle is being manufactured all the time, and although it may be expensive for a beginner angler, it’s ultimately worth every penny as you become a better, more knowledgeable fisherman and you start catching bigger fish. That’s just my two cents. Hopefully, this advice from my friend and me will help at least one person who is struggling with what tackle to buy next—or at the very least, help them find some new products that they hadn’t thought about yet.
Lastly, if you haven’t tried one of the top 10 best lures for crappie but are still on the lookout for guidance, try visiting your local bait shop in early spring. Most shop owners will help you find a good lure that’s best suited to the conditions, and they’ll likely offer some expert advice as well. Most serious crappie fishermen will tell you they could never have been as successful without their local bait shop. So be sure and thank them for the next time you visit!