Experiment with a variety of options, ranging from subtle live bait presentations to aggressive jigging lures, to determine which system crappies respond to best on any given day.
Winter is a great time to target crappies, but it’s important to have the right lure options to entice these fish. In this article, we will explore the best presentations for crappie fishing and discuss the different lure options that can help you catch more fish.
Live Bait: Minnows
One of the most subtle and effective presentations for crappies is using live bait, specifically minnows. Crappies love minnows, whether they are dead sticked or presented under a float. This presentation is perfect for finesse bites when crappies are not hyper-aggressive. By using live minnows, you can entice crappies to bite and increase your chances of success.
BMC Hot Skirt Glow Jig Rig
For a slightly more aggressive approach, you can use a BMC hot skirt glow jig rig. This rig can be paired with soft plastics, waxes, or larvae to create an enticing presentation for crappies. This presentation is effective when crappies are a bit more active and willing to chase after their prey. The glow jig rig adds visibility and attraction to the bait, making it easier for crappies to spot and strike.
Jigging Spoons and Ramps
When targeting crappies in big deep basins, a more aggressive approach is needed. This is where jigging spoons and ramps come into play. These heavy lures allow you to quickly get down to the depths where crappies are holding. When crappies are in an aggressive feeding mode, they will come up to your lure as it drops to the bottom.
Once you’ve reached the desired depth, it’s up to you to entice the crappies into biting. This can be done by using a variety of jigging cadences. For example, you can lift the bait up a few feet and then stop it above the fish. This teasing action can trigger a reaction bite from crappies.
It’s important to note that when jigging for crappies, it’s often more effective to keep the bait slightly above the fish rather than dropping it right to their level. By doing so, you can get the crappies to lift up and commit to biting the bait.
Teasing the Crappies
In the video, the angler demonstrates how to tease crappies into biting. By keeping the bait a few feet above the fish, he is able to entice them to come up and strike. He also mentions that sometimes rolling the bait halfway up and then dropping it back down can trigger a bite from a hesitant fish.
The angler emphasizes the importance of playing a little game with the fish and experimenting with different presentations. By varying your jigging cadences and adjusting the depth of your bait, you can increase your chances of success.
