Fishing Tips: Crappie Jigs

Visible colors

Because crappie are sight-feeders, they need to see the jig to bite it. Sunlight intensity and water conditions affect visibility. In bright sunlight and clear water use light colors such as white, chartreuse, yellow and metallic fleck. In shade or muddy water use darker colors such as black, brown or red. Try adding a reflective minnow or spinner.

Above the Fish

Crappie rise to chase food. Fish jigs a few feet shallower than the fish depth. Crappie often sit suspended 2 to 3 feet from the bottom in 15 feet of water.

One way to control the depth of a jig is to add a bobber on the line above it. Bobbers are floating devices that clip onto fishing line. Experiment with depth by moving the bobber position. Or, when casting, count (1, 2, 3...) as the jig sinks before you begin retrieving your line. Try different depths by changing your count until you find fish.

Lure Movement

Jig bodies are designed to attract crappie and other panfish by wiggling as they pull through the water, such as a twister-tail grub. It can be hopped with a jerky retrieve or swim like a baitfish when pulled smoothly. Some anglers are successful alternating a short rest with small jerks during the retrieve.