CRAPPIE FISHING TIPS – SOFT PLASTIC BAIT TAIL ACTION

Bait profile is probably the most important factor in crappie fishing through much of the year. Finding the right profile, or “patterning,” can be the difference between a limit and a few random bites or worse, no fish at all.

The environment in which you’re fishing can tell you a lot about what profile and action to look for. Open water crappie are often more aggressive because they’re having to hunt food down as opposed to ambushing from cover, shade or structure.

Here are some quick tips to dial in your bait setup on your next crappie fishing excursion.

Open water crappie tend to be on the hunt. These fish aggressively track down baitfish.

Moving tail action baits excel in open water environments. Look for baits with a curly, paddle or prop style tail. These style tails mimic fleeing bait fish when retrieved or trolled.

When crappie are in ambush environments like brush, trees, docks, bluffs and shade they are looking to feed on unsuspecting prey. This means a natural relaxed profile is key.

Subtle tail action baits tend to work best as the presentation is very slow and methodical. Gentle rod tip shakes, lifts and sweeps make for an irresistible presentation using baits that have straight, spear or split tails.

Vertical – Look for subtle tail action baits like 2.25” Mayfly, 2.25” Minnow Mind’R, 2.25” Slab Hunt’R, 2.25” Baby Shad Swim’R, 2” Split Tail, 2” Slab Slay’R, 2” Original Baby Shad and Itty Bit Series. Gently shake the rod tip for a few seconds when bait is at desired depth, hold and slowly lift or reel to explore the next depth range. Less is more when vertically jigging soft plastic crappie baits. Vertical jiggers tend to over-work the bait, which either spooks the fish or diminishes its interest.

Trolling – Look for moving tail action baits like 2.5” Stroll’R and 2” Hyper Grub. Add the new Head Turn’R Jighead for extra flash and action. Keep your trolling speed between 1-1.5 MPH for best results. Troll parallel with main channel edges using multiple rods at different depths to pattern quicker.

Bobber – Hard to beat a 2” Original Baby Shad paired with a balanced head like Mo' Glo Jighead or Overbite Sickle Jighead and a Thill pencil bobber. Point the rod tip directly at the bobber and slowly retrieve with occasional rod tip shakes. A pencil bobber helps detect upward bites. When you see the bobber fall flat or tilt toward the water, set the hook

Casting – It’s a great time of year to cast from the bank in creeks, coves and marinas. Baits like 2.25” Baby Shad Swim’R, 2” Swimming Minnow, 2” Hyper Grub and 2” Original Baby Shad are popular choices. Stick to a slow, steady retrieve and move around often to locate a hot spot.

Dock Shooting – Look for docks near primary and secondary creek channels, especially those that offer rapid depth change. The shoot, fall, pendulum and retrieve cadence is quite effective with baits like 2.25” Minnow Mind’R, 2.25” Baby Shad Swim’R, 2” Slab Slay and 2” Original Baby Shad.

• Pre-Spawn Areas – 3” Slab Slay’R, 2.25” Slab Hunt’R, 2.25” Minnow Mind’R, 2” Original Baby Shad, 2” Slab Slay’R, 2” Split Tail
• Spawning Areas – 2.25” Baby Shad Swim’R, 2” Swimming Minnow, 2” Hyper Grub,  2" Original Baby Shad
• Post-Spawn Areas – 2.25” Mayfly, 1.25” Itty Bit Slab Hunt’R, 1.25” Itty Bit Mayfly, 1.25” Itty Bit Swim’R, 1.25” Itty Bit Slab Slay’R
• Trolling – 2.5” Stroll’R, 2.25” Slab Hunt’R, 2” Hyper Grub
• Dock Shooting – 2.25” Minnow Mind’R, 2” Slab Slay’R, 2” Baby Shad
• Brushpile – 2.25” Mayfly, 2” Original Baby Shad, 2” Slab Slay’R, 1.25” Itty Bit Slab Hunt’R, 1.25” Itty Bit Mayfly
• Dipping – 2.25” Minnow Mind’R, 2” Slab Slay’R, 2” Original Baby Shad, 2” Split Tail