The author with an evening crappie caught on a tinsel jig. Simonson Photo.
By Nick Simonson
It’s hard to beat the action that a school of summer crappies brings. Whether in that ideal place from shore or a dock, or that same secret spot on your boat’s GPS where slabs stack up and feed when the dog days set it and the action gets as hot as the weather, crappies make for fun fishing. While watching a bobber drop brings its own rush, catching crappies without bait adds a bit of a challenge and a whole lot of forearm snapping fun on each hookset as a take – sometimes subtle, sometimes a slam – triggers a reactive rip and a solid connection with fish. Having a few go-to tackle items always helps seal the deal no matter what water you might be fishing specks on this summer.
Feather and Flash
Some of my favorite jigs are those small 1/16- and 1/32-ounce options that incorporate small selections of hackle or marabou in a variety of colors along with a touch of tinsel or krystal flash to give the bait some sparkle under the water. Classic options like the Flu-Flu and Northland’s Gypsi jig come in a variety of colors and help provide a start in a selection of summer crappie offerings. These commercial lures are easily imitated with a few collarless ballhead jigs or other lead-head styles, and a pinch of the chosen material in a prime crappie-catching color tied in, if one prefers creating these patterns by hand on the vise.
Perfect Plastics
As with all other species, plastic bodies and tails are great options when going the baitless route, and with crappies the options are generally cheap allowing for a wider variety of selections on the water. The ubiquitous crappie tube is a solid go-to dressing, and can be rigged on a ballhead jig or an insert jig. If starting a crappie collection, consider getting a few packs in baitfish patterns: silver glitter, blue glitter, or salt-and-pepper. Add in some brighter options like pink, chartreuse, and purple and a few natural patterned options. A few packs of curly tailed grubs in one- and two-inch lengths will provide a good fallback as well, and size can be adjusted to match the baitfish slabs are schooling on. After those basics there are a variety of small creature and fish shaped plastics that round things out. Try a few of each and build a good selection for each day’s varying conditions.
Crank and Clank
Finally, having a few small crankbaits and metal accessories to add to your offerings will give you the most complete tackle pack for crappies. A few favorite crankbaits to consider start with the Rapala Countdown in sizes of one to two inches. Simply cast it out, count it down with one second equaling about a foot of fall, and reel it in with a few twitches through the school of feeding crappies for a connection. Any small sinking crankbait will work, so find your brand preference in a pattern that matches the baitfish hatch or those confidence colors for crappies, and you’ll be in business.
Finally, adding a bit of flash to a lure via a small spinner blade will help provide the imitation of a fleeing baitfish and that added flicker crappies fiend for. Simple arm-based spinner blades in small sizes, or options provided with classic crappie lures like the Beetle Spin, can be easily attached to any favorite jig for additional flash. Keep a few handy to seal the deal with a little more vibration and shine.
These lures are just the beginning. There are a wide variety of jigs, plastics, crankbaits, small spinnerbaits and other crappie-focused offerings that help connect with summertime fish in a way that doesn’t require bait. The best part is they don’t carry a hefty price tag and get the job done efficiently. Keep them in mind this summer and explore all of your options to maximize the slabs that come to hand all season.
Simonson is the lead writer and editor of Dakota Edge Outdoors.