Ice anglers love crappies for one simple reason: when you find them, the action can be fast, aggressive, and incredibly fun. But basin crappies are a different animal. They roam, suspend, and constantly move, forcing anglers to stay mobile and dialed in. That’s where Frostbite lures and rods shine.
In this session, we chased aggressive basin crappies using a rotation of Frostbite Dinner Bell spoons, Scissor Kick spoons, and Tantrum rattle baits, paired with purpose-built Frostbite rods. The result? Consistent bites from suspended fish, including larger crappies that climbed aggressively to strike.
Frostbite Dinner Bell Spoon: A Crappie Staple
The Frostbite Dinner Bell Spoon was the starting point… and for good reason. This spoon features a unique profile that produces flash and vibration without overpowering fish.
Why it works for basin crappies:
- Compact profile matches suspended forage
- Strong vibration helps fish locate the bait
- Easy to control at precise depths
From the Frostbite lineup, the micro Dinner Bell was ideal for crappies. Adding maggots increased bite consistency, though fish were aggressive enough to hit it clean when unbaited as well.
The Dinner Bell comes in:
- Multiple sizes from micro to magnum
- 12 color patterns
- Tungsten versions for faster drop and better feel in deep water
When fish were active and riding high, the Dinner Bell produced immediate strikes.
Scissor Kick Spoon: Triggering Bigger Fish
The Frostbite Scissor Kick Spoon brought a different look and produced some of the biggest crappies of the session. Its defining feature is the propeller-style blades at both ends, which produce additional flash and sound.
Key Scissor Kick advantages:
- More water displacement than traditional spoons
- Calls fish from a distance
- Excellent for selecting larger, aggressive crappies
One of the biggest fish of the day came on a Scissor Kick without any bait, proving that when crappies are snapping, presentation alone is enough.
Frostbite offers the Scissor Kick in:
- Four sizes (micro through large)
- 12 color options
- Weights ranging from ultra-light to 3/8 oz
This spoon shines when fish are suspended and willing to chase.
Tantrum Rattle Bait: Calling Fish In
When crappies needed extra attraction, the Frostbite Tantrum Rattle Bait came into play. Rattle baits excel in basins because they pull fish from a distance, especially roaming schools.
How to fish the Tantrum:
- Rip the bait to draw attention
- Pause as fish approach
- Slow down and “dance” it in place
Over-ripping can cause missed bites. Once fish are close, subtle movements seal the deal.
From Frostbite’s lineup, the Tantrum is available in:
- Six sizes
- Lengths from 1.3 inches to 6.5 inches
- 12 color patterns
Even the micro Tantrum proved more than manageable for crappie mouths, producing clean hookups and aggressive strikes.
Matching the Right Frostbite Rod
Lure performance only goes so far without the right rod. Two Frostbite rods stood out:
Frostbite Smoke Show (Graphite)
- Faster action
- More backbone
- Ideal for heavier spoons or bigger crappies
Frostbite Feather Duster (Fiberglass)
- Ultra-light action
- Softer tip with more forgiveness
- Perfect for small spoons and suspended fish
Paired with braided line, both rods provided excellent bite detection and enough cushion to absorb head shakes from aggressive crappies.
A Complete Frostbite Basin Crappie System
By rotating between:
- Dinner Bell spoons for consistency
- Scissor Kick spoons for bigger fish
- Tantrum rattle baits for calling fish in
…it’s possible to cover every mood basin crappies throw at you. Combined with Frostbite rods designed for ice-specific presentations, this system keeps you efficient, mobile, and ready when fish move.
Frostbite continues to build gear with one goal in mind: function-first performance for aggressive ice anglers, and basin crappies are the perfect proving ground.
