What is the best bait for crappie?

Crappies are not fuzzy feeders and the best bait on one day might not work on another day. The bait for crappie fishing that works the best is live bait. Minnows, crayfish, night crawlers or even insects work great for attracting the crappies. However, when you are using live bait, you have to make sure that it is secure on the hook so that it does not get away and so that when the fish bites, it takes the hook and not just the bait. The rule of thumb for choosing the bait that works the best is if it is working, keep using it otherwise try something else until you find what is working the best. In addition, if the bait is something you know works, you might have to change your presentation. Presentation is the key to getting a bite just as much as the bait. If you are just casting and reeling in the line, maybe you are going to fast or to slow. Correct the speed. Maybe you could add a little color with a lure. The color will depend on what is working that day. It might be green or it might be yellow. The only problem with color lures is the crappie seems to be picky about the color more so than what bait you offer. I would stick with live bait and keep your presentation exact. Once you get a bite, remember how it happened and what you were doing when the bite came.