What are the best live baits to use when fishing for Crappies?

Crappies are somewhat opportunistic feeders. At times, they will eat most species of insects (mayflies during a hatch, in particular), various types of aquatic and terrestrial worms, and crustaceans such as small crawfish, plankton and small minnows, including their own young.

 The time-tested most successful bait for crappie is a 1-1/2" -2" live minnow of the chub family, followed closely by small Fathead minnows, and lastly, any of the Shiner family of minnows. Crappies are fish eaters primarily. They are far-ranging predators and vital for controlling minnow populations in lakes, rivers and streams. Lucky for us, they are also very prolific, ensuring a steady supply of fillets for the dinner table.

Crappie can be caught year-round, but the best fishing for them is usually in the spring and fall. In the spring, when the water begins to warm up, crappie go on a feeding binge as they move to shallow water, conditioning themselves for spawning. In the fall, crappies go on another feeding binge when the water begins to cool, stoking up in preparation for winter.

My favorite rig year-round for crappies is the ‘Fish-Finder’, or ‘Meat-Getter’ Rig. Simply make two dropper loops about 18" apart, 24" above a bell sinker. Attach #2 light wire hooks to the droppers and fish them straight down.

While jigs, lures and flies all catch crappies at certain times, nothing beats a live minnow at the correct depth and place for filling a stringer.

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