Bert Swope
Jigs are one of the most sought-after artificial lures for crappie fishing. They work well in all conditions and structure.
Crappie jigs come in a range of styles, such as straight bodies, split tails, curly tails, and tubes. Many also feature body fins and spinner blades for added attraction.
Crappie jigs made by top fishing companies are the finest available. These jigs feature just the right size, weight, and hooks to capture these sensitive-mouthed fish.
Choosing the Right Type of Jig
When fishing for crappie, it’s essential to use the appropriate type of jig. This will help increase your catch rate on each trip. When selecting your jigs, consider both the type of water and baitfish currently in that area.
For instance, if you’re fishing in clear water, use a light jig with an all-natural color to imitate the minnows that crappie are foraging on. This will help you effectively mimic what these fish are feeding on.
Mix and match different colors to get different effects. For instance, you might get more action from a jig that has both pink marabou tail and redhead attached.
Another tip is to select jigs with different weights. If you’re fishing in shallow water, opt for a lighter weight; on the other hand, heavier ones are best suited to deeper or murky waters.
Jigs with a light color are ideal for shallow water as they reflect sunlight and make them easier to spot. You may even use jigs that have black on them to increase their visibility in dark or murky conditions.
There are also some jigs available in a range of colors, giving you more choices when selecting the ideal one for your situation. Lindy Fuzz-E Grubs are popular among crappie fishermen due to their variety of colors.
When selecting a jig, the most essential consideration should be its durability. This way, you won’t need to replace it after every cast.
When fishing for crappie, you’ll want to use a jig with an adjustable head that can accommodate plenty of line. The more line you have, the harder it’ll be for the crappie to hook, so choose a head that can withstand intense tension.
Crappies are notoriously picky when it comes to their bait, so you’ll need to select the correct jig for every scenario. Selecting the right color could mean all the difference in getting bites or having a cooler full of crappie at your disposal.
What Size Jig is Best for Crappie?
Knowing which kind of jig to use is critical when trolling for crappie or fishing from a boat. There are many varieties out there, and selecting the correct one can make all the difference in your catch rate. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to guarantee you’re using the ideal jig for the job at hand.
First, select the appropriate size jig for the task at hand. There are various sizes to consider, and you should pick one that works best in your specific circumstance.
For instance, when trolling for crappie, you’ll want a jig that can sink deep enough to reach the bottom even while moving. A heavy enough model that can reach 8-12 feet beneath you could be ideal.
You’ll want to select a jig with the proper weight when vertical jigging. This method involves casting at an appropriate depth and reeling it slowly down; this approach works best when targeting large schools of crappie.
Another method for fishing crappie is with a float and soft bait combination. This rig works best when targeting crappie in cover or when they’re moving slowly, and can be fished from either a boat or bank.
When fishing for crappie with a float and soft bait, you must ensure your jig is the appropriate size. A jig that’s too small will fall off the bottom while one that’s not heavy enough will sink too quickly and not reach the bottom.
Finally, opt for a jig made of high-quality material. This will guarantee its strength and prevent it from breaking easily.
For instance, using a jig made from copper or nickel will help ensure it won’t break easily. Furthermore, consider what type of jighead you use – this immensely impacts how well your jig works.
Choosing the Right Jighead for Crappie
When fishing for crappie, the right jighead makes all the difference. An unsuitable head could spook crappies and prevent them from taking your bait. Fortunately, various types of jigheads are available to suit different situations and methods of fishing crappie.
Jigheads with consistent, even movement in all directions tend to be the best choices. This helps ensure your lure moves smoothly through the water column and is especially important when using vertical jigging or spider rigging techniques.
For instance, jigheads with ball-style heads provide more consistent movement than their mushroom or pointed counterparts. This can be especially advantageous when the jig is being rigged under a bobber.
Other jigheads are designed to produce a specific action or draw attention. For instance, the Jenko Whirly Bird jighead features a spinning blade that adds vibration and flash to the bait, increasing its appeal and encouraging crappies to bite.
Some jigheads feature a glow-in-the-dark finish, which can be an effective way to catch crappie at night. The Crappie Pro Mo’ Glo Jighead is one such example; it boasts enhanced levels of phosphorous powder in five high-gloss colors for enhanced visibility in low light conditions.
When selecting a jighead for fishing, weight is another factor to consider. A heavier head will move faster and can tempt fish to take the bait more quickly; on the other hand, lighter heads won’t sink as quickly in cold weather when their metabolism slows down.
Anglers often consider color when selecting their jighead type. Some believe certain hues work better on certain days, while others opt for shades that complement a particular lure or body shape.
When selecting a jighead, it is essential to select one with the ideal balance of weight, shape and hook size. This will guarantee your lure moves freely through water without causing any obstruction when combined with a bobber or other weight.
What Color Jigs Are Best for Crappie?
Crappies can be finicky eaters, so selecting the correct jig color for your fishing situation is essential. Here are some guidelines to help you decide which color works best in any given scenario:
When fishing for crappie, you’ll want to select a color that closely resembles the natural minnows they feed on. This will increase your chances of catching more fish as the bait appears more natural to these predatory predators.
Light-colored jigs will be most successful when fishing in crystal-clear water as they’re easier for fish to see and locate. On the other hand, dark waters require darker lures as they provide a better silhouette for predators.
Bright colors are ideal for outdoor activities as they reflect more light than dark ones and thus make you stand out more on sunny days. However, keep in mind that sunlight only penetrates water up to a certain depth, so your jig must be deep enough so the sun’s rays can pass through.
When selecting the color for your jig, it is important to take into account both water clarity and temperature. These elements will influence how crappies view the lure as well as its depth in the water.
When fishing for trout in different seasons, different colors are ideal. A silver belly and blue back jig is ideal in lakes with clear water while a June bug or black jig works better in dark waters.
You may come across jigs with combination colors, like black/white or pink/white. These hues work best because they can be seen at various depths and provide the crappies with an array of vibrant hues to attract them.
Tubes are popular due to their range of colors and ease of use. Sizes range from 1/16-ounce up to 1/32-ounce, making them suitable for casting or vertical jigging applications. Furthermore, tube prices remain affordable with many companies selling 15-count packs or large bulk packs at discounted rates.