Top 10 Best Bait For Crappie [Fishing Tips Included]

Crappies are a popular type of gamefish, especially in North America. They have different fishing habits that change with the season, so you can’t only depend on your skill as an angler to catch them.

Any angler worth their salt knows that bait is an essential aspect of fishing that can determine your performance. That's why we’ve brought you the ten best bait for crappie to avoid having unproductive fishing trips. These choices have been thoroughly reviewed, and we’ve added a section for crappie fishing tips and frequently asked questions to help you out.

Why Should You Choose Baits for Crappie?

People have been fishing for centuries using a variety of methods, and the discussion is always centered on how we can make it better.

The old-fashioned methods, while useful, are not our only option. Artificial baits have been around for a while now, and there have been improvements made in different areas. A lot of them come with bright colors, flashy tails, and vibrating noises designed to attract more fish. Some of them even have scents and flavors attached.

Quick Answer: Top Rated Baits For Crappie

10 Best Baits for Crappie Reviews

1. Eagle Claw Crappie Jig

The Eagle claw crappie jig is a well-known and innovative jig lure with its brightly painted head and feathery tail. It comes in different colors to fit the season and water. The head of this bait is usually painted to resemble a fish head with a big eye on it, and the tail hides the deadly hook attached to it.

You can experiment with its different color combinations to decide the color that best suits your style. The 1/16 and 1/8 ounce sizes are considered the top choice, ​but the 1/32 ounce size can also be used. Ensure that you use this jig in clear water to avoid getting it entangled in weeds. You will be sure to attract many crappies while using this attractive fishing lure.

2. Aorace Mini Fishing Lures

These mini fishing lures are quite life-like when they are cast into the water. They mimic the swimming motions of live baitfish perfectly, creating vibrations in the water that attracts big crappie. They come in bright colors, which reflect light and create attractive patterns in the water.

You can get different weights to reach different depths in the water. Because they are small, they move through water swiftly and cleanly. It also has a convincing fish body and a big eye that tricks gamefish into approaching. One pack of these lures have ten pieces with ten different colors so you can have a variety of colors to fit the season and location.

3. Berkley Powerbait Crappie Nibbles Dough Bait Glow

The scent and flavor of the Berkley Powerbait are guaranteed to bring in fish from every direction with minimal effort. You only have to cast it into the water, and the smell slowly disperses in every direction.

You can use this bait together with your other fish baits to increase your catch rate, especially on days where the fish are not biting. It is also reusable, and a jar goes a long way.

Although you can’t use this bait on a large hook, it can fit in tube baits and jigs since it doesn’t float. The scent is long-lasting, and it has a long shelf-life. Apart from its concentrated scent, the bait glows in four different colors to attract fish.

4. Norman Deep Little N

This deep-diving crankbait, can get to depths as low as 9 to 12 feet. The tip is perfectly shaped and angled to help it dive down swiftly and stay. This fishing lure is perfect for use when the crappies are in deep water, especially during winter.

If you’re after big crappies, then this bait is for you. The two treble hooks and 2.5-inch length of the lure give it an edge in catching big gamefish of different species, and not just crappie. It also dances in the water to attract big game fish hunting for baitfish. You can experiment with the 83 color choices available to find your perfect fit.

5. Rapala Jointed Shad Rap 04 Fishing Lures

This plastic crankbait is a plastic recreation of arguably the best bait for crappie from Rapala. Being made of plastic might make it more lightweight and less durable, but this quick diving bait is still effective at catching crappie.

The standout feature of this bait is to release a signal imitating the sound of a “distressed minnow”. This signal is loud enough to hear from a distance, and it doesn’t fail in attracting gamefish. Up close, the lure has a realistic fish design that fools fish into biting and getting caught by the sharp hooks attached to the body.

6. Crappie Magnet 96-Piece Kit

The Crappie Magnet kit contains virtually anything you’d ever need for a crappie hunting trip. It has a full collection of a magnet and double-cross jig heads, E-Z floats, and bodies. These come in an assortment of colors for proper experiments, giving you a chance to make the best choice for you.

The slab curly tail stays open in the water, and it has a slow motion. It does very little in the water, but it has proven itself to be useful for catching all sizes of crappie.

7. Strike King Mr. Crappie Thunder Bait

Mr. Crappie Thunder Baitfishing lures are incredibly durable, and they are targeted towards big crappie primarily. You can use them with a jig head for best results. Crappies are attracted by the vibrations created by the tail when in water. The vibrant colors that resemble scales on a baitfish can set off a feeding frenzy in big crappie, bringing them to you.

This bait has bright and attractive colors, and the tail spreads out to attract fish. They are almost 2 inches long, and though they don’t last very long, there are 15 in every pack. These fishing lures will ensure you get a satisfactory catch every time you use them.

8. Yakima Bait Wordens Original Rooster Tail Spinner Lure

The Worden’s rooster tail has been around for over 50 years, yet it still makes the list of the best bait for crappie. It is incredibly efficient, and it always gives satisfaction. The bait has a spinning tail, a blade, and a brightly colored flared tail.

One good thing about this bait is that it is not limited to crappie, and it can catch a lot more species of gamefish. The flared tail hides the hook, and it spins against the blade to create vibrations that lead the fish to them. You can improve its alluring properties by picking an attractive tail color from the diverse list.

9. Sportsman Supply, Inc. Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Baits

Bobby Garland has been making a lot of good products, and this one isn’t exempted. The shad crappie baits are excellent at what they do, which is catch loads of big crappie. Although they are made of plastic, they can still take a lot of abuse.

These baits have ten different color schemes with the baits having two-toned bodies. This color gives it the look of live bait when it is in the water. They have shapes that are uniquely designed to squirm and flap around in the water to mimic baitfish. The rounded head helps it maintain its movement and depth in the water, and it also looks a lot like a minnow in the water.

10. Sougayilang Fishing Spoons Lure

These spoons are very versatile and unique in their use. They can be used to catch both freshwater and saltwater fish, and you can catch several types of gamefish with one lure, and you have 29 more to use in case of damage or loss.

You get the best results from these spoon baits when you use them with a jig or a floating lure. The wriggling action of the lure accompanied by the noise make it enticing to gamefish. This lure is made from the best quality materials, and it doesn’t rust, bend, or break easily, ensuring that you get your money’s worth.

Crappie Fishing Tips and Techniques

Before you go fishing for crappie, you have to familiarize yourself with their feeding habits, locations, etc. Knowledge of their habits during the different seasons also matters because they tend to change them every season. These are some tips that can help you improve your crappie game, no matter the season.

Spring​​​​​

Summer

Fall

Winter

Different Types of Crappie Baits

Catching crappie is not a difficult task on its own as long as you have a good amount of skill and the right bait. Here are the three main types of bait used to catch crappie.