Live Bait For Crappie: What To Use?

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

Crappie anglers are always looking for new and proven fishing information on how to Use Live Bait for Crappie. There are so many artificial crappie fishing baits on the market today you might ask why use live bait? Well the answer everyone should tell them selves to be effective you are going to use both. In fact, on many fishing trips both artificial and live baits are on the same crappie rigs. This is the best of both techniques. My article is going to concentrate on what crappie live baits are best for different situations.

Crappie minnows: There are so many minnows to choose from when you go to the bait store you are probably wondering what is best to use, well I will tell you what crappie minnows work best for me. One key factor in determining what minnow to use when you are fishing for crappie, will be to find out what minnows are native to the area you are going to fish. I will identify some of the species of minnows commonly used when fishing for crappie.

The "shiner minnow" are my favorite minnow to use, the smaller the better approximately 1 1/2" in length. Many Fisherman would disagree because they use larger minnows an probably have good success catching larger slab variety crappie. If you are one of the anglers who only fish for slab crappie then bigger is probably beter,but I prefer to catch a lot of fish. Now the reason I like the shiners whether using small or large minnows, is they reflect light like small mirror in the water. Crappies are easily attracted to changes in light patterns,so the shinner minnow is fish attractor and a live crappie bait food source at the same time. Many times, they are attracted more to the light changes then the bait it's self. Another good minnow to use is commonly called the "Missouri minnow". i don't use them so I won't talk about them, but many fisherman swear by them.

{{Sometimes I will scent my crappie live bait and artificials.|I also do a little doctoring to live bait and artificial baits for crappies.}}} Chop a onion into very small pieces and put them into a small container, (something like a little pill bottle). Tip the end of your hook with a small piece of onion after you hook your minnow thru both the lower and upper lip. You will be surprised how this helps you out attracting the crappie to your bait. Not to get off the subject if you are using jigs put them in the small container with the onions and shake it up, then use your jigs.

The best crappie live bait worms that I have used are called the "angle worm". I normally do not use worms as a crappie live bait, but I have had luck with these worm.

The "maggot" is one of the most under used crappie live baits. Don't tell your wife about the following little tip she might throw you out of the house! The next thing you want to do is catch yourself carp or mudfish and cut out a piece along the back of the head. Burry the carcass an inch under the ground. 7 days later dig him up. (Now here's the disgusting part pick the maggots off the carcass and place them in a glass jar. And some white cornmeal into the jar. Now place the jar in the freezer for three weeks. (Don't let your wife know what's in it or it will be gone! Just kidding.) After three weeks take the maggots out of the freezer the maggots will be huge! Fish the maggots using a #4 gold hook with no bobber. Let the bait fall to the bottom slowly and wait for the fun! It won't take long. Maggots are one of the best crappie live baits I have ever used but I don't use them much because of obvious reasons.

Well, that about does it for my crappie livebait tips. Have fun and good fishing! And GOOD Luck!

Mark Fleagle is a serious fishing author. Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and "how to articles at his websites. Use Bait For CrappieVisit my website oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed"