Jigs and Twisters
Small lead-head jigs of 1/32 oz. or 1/16 oz.or even up to 1/4 oz.--the so-called bighead jigs--are very effective when fished vertically over likely crappie habitat. The best size and color of the jig to use will become apparent with a little experimentation. Jigs accompanied by tinsel, gamecock feathers or chenille make them more attractive. A particularly effective lure is the Maribou jig, which is available in the same weight range as most jigs. Twister tails are a variation on the jig with a soft plastic tail that writhes in the water to imitate the swimming motion of a minnow and often work when other jig combinations fail.
Spinners and Crankbaits
Spinners and crankbaits are a category of lure that is cast to a likely spot and then retrieved slowly. Mepps spinners, with a single blade and a small treble hook, or the Mepps Mino, which adds a small plastic minnow shaped lure embedded a treble hook, are consistent producers in weedy areas. Look for these Mepps lures in sizes #00, #0 & #1 for the best crappie fishing. Among crankbaits, the small Rapala minnows--those under 2 inches in length--and the small Rapala Shad Rap lures are an excellent choice. These lures have a plastic lip that causes them to dive when retrieved, so are best used when the crappies have moved to deeper water.
Home Made Favorite
A particularly deadly rig, which can be made easily and inexpensively at home, consists of a length of leader about a foot in length to which is tied the hook. Slip two or three small beads down the length of the leader to rest on the hook, then lower a small willow leaf spinner with cleavis, then another bead or two. Tie this onto your monofilament or snap swivel and tip the hook with a minnow or wax worm. Cast and retrieve very slowly. The spinning motion may prove irresistible to the nearby crappies. Always set the hook very gently when a crappie strikes. They have very soft mouths and a hard hook-set is likely to tear through their lips resulting in a lost fish.
Article Written By Garrison Pence
Garrison Pence has been a midwest-based (ghost)writer for three decades, taught university-level literature, and has written articles and white papers in trade publications of the Material Handling Institute, Engineering Today, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage Science, and Semiconductor. Pence holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Literature.
