Crappie fishing is enjoyed by anglers of all ages and skill levels. Crappies can be caught in all types of waters from ponds to lakes. They are an easy species to catch which is one reason they are so popular. Anglers of all ages and skill levels can reel in the crappie. The hardest part of catching a crappie is being able to distinguish when they take the bait.

Most of the time their strike is so delicate it is barely noticeable. It is for this reason that you need to select the right crappie lures to ensure you are getting the most from all of your fishing trips.

Live bait is the most popular bait used for catching crappie but sometimes using live bait is not an option or you may not want to deal with the hassles that go along with it. This is when the angler turns to lures, but how do you go about selecting the right crappie lures that will produce the results you are after?

The best way is to try and learn as much as you can about the different types of crappie lures available and why some are preferred over others. The number one type of lure used to fish for crappies are jigs.

Jigs

Jigs seem to be the best crappie lures that you can use when fishing for this species. They get the attention of the crappie and draw them in your direction. However, there are so many different styles and colors available it may be a little difficult getting started. To help you narrow things down a little bit we will cover the five main types of jigs that are used when fishing for crappie.

They are listed below along with a brief description.

Bucktail Jigs – These are the main type of jigs available and as the name suggest they are designed with bucktail or feathers. These are simple jigs with a colored ball-head and they have been around for a long time. It is believed that more crappie have been caught on these jigs than with any other design, which explains their popularity. The most popular sizes are the ones ranging from 1/16 to 1/32 ounces. These jigs can be used at any depth and in a variety of ways. The most popular colors are chartreuse, white and yellow although; they come in many different colors.

Standard Jig Head Design – These are the basic jig design and they are made with either a bullet or a ball shaped head. They have a curly tail and a body shaped like a minnow. These jigs are popular because they allow you to change the plastic body that is made onto the hook for variety. You can change the body in minutes without even having to take it loose from your line. If one color is not working you can switch until you find one that does work. These can also be used at any depth and chartreuse, white and yellow are the most popular colors.

In the world of bass fishing, the amateur and competitive nature of this sport has attracted a rather large following that has only continued to gain popularity over the years. In order to become a success, using fishing lures and bait is a must. Depending on the time of day or night, location, type of water, and depth – different bass fishing lures will produce better results than other selections. To become familiar with the most common and effective choices, consider the following suggestions:

Jigs

Many will say that jigs – heavy, lead-headed baits with a single hook are the most useful of baits to consider – especially when fishing in waters that are somewhat murky or clear. Jigs are good for attracting inactive fish and getting the attention of those who are buried deep. When using this type of lure, keep in mind that jigs are meant to create presentation, where success comes in making them appear noticeably alive. The ideal water temperature for this bass fishing lure is below 60 degrees. They are also perfect for night-fishing.

Rubber Worms

The hassle of dealing with real worms is eliminated when using rubber selections that work just as well. An added weight in the structure of the lure allows a slow descent to the bottom of your fishing location. When lucky, bass strike at the rubber worm. If the lure reaches the bottom without any action, simply reel it back towards the surface and let it drop once again.

Spinner Baits

The unusual shape of spinner baits are constructed with an over-sized metal attachment that spins. This lure doesn’t attract fish by appealing to their hunger, but rather through agitation. Spinner baits are year-round lures that especially work well during the spawning season when bass are less desperate to feed.

Crank Baits

Through the imitation of a weak or injured fish, crank lures are used as top water and sinking lures. The added cranking noise attracts bass with its sound. A slow approach is necessary in order to successfully imitate an injured fish.

Poppers

While poppers are similar to crank baits, they are set aside solely as a top water lure. As they travel across the water, a “popping” sound is emitted. The best time of year to use this lure is during the summertime, where slow reel action is required.

Grubs

The smallmouth bass is especially attracted to the tiny lures known as grubs, which are geared towards larger catches. Grubs are bare jig heads with a soft-plastic body added to a hook. When a highland reservoir lacks ample cover, this lure is rather effective. Clear and deep waters are the greatest locations to use grubs, where white, yellow, salt and pepper, and smoke selections work best.

Tube Baits

When fishing in clear water or surrounded by inactive fish, tube jigs works wonders to specifically target bass. A spinning reel on a 6 to 6 ½-foot medium-light to medium action rod best accommodates this type of drop bait. Also, seek out water no deeper than 10 feet when using tube baits.

Vibrating Lures

Plastic or metal is used to create the vibrating lures that generate a tremor when retrieved out of the water. With a sound (much like a rattle), the baits sink to the bottom and do not get lost in particularly deep waters. A variety of lures are offered in this category, including tailspinners, which are heavy, compact baits of metal that uses a small spinner to attract the bass. Use vibrating lures when fishing about stumps, close to river currents, on deep channel drop-offs, and over waterlogged grass beds.

Fishing lures are available in a various shapes, sizes, colors, and types. Each fishing lure is designed to behave differently in the water, depending on the kind of fish that it is meant to catch. Certain kinds of lures displace water as they are cast along the water; others, move freely in the water. Then again, some fishing lures are designed to slowly sink beneath the surface of the water with minimum horizontal movement. Fishing lures may be painted in bright or muted colors and may even contain added attractants such as smell or luminosity. Since different fish are attracted to different things, for instance, some like color and others motion, lures are crafted to attract all kinds of fish. As a result, there are many kinds of lures available in the market, and each is meant for a different purpose.

Deciding factors

The right kind of fishing lure, thus, will depend on your chosen kind of fishing. As you gain expertise you will be able to judge for yourself the effectiveness of fishing lures and determine which models suit you best. Several factors such as weather, water temperature, and water clarity dictate the kind of lure one should use as well as the color selection.

Skill-based selection

The most easy to use fishing lures are jigs, and thus, they are ideal for beginners. Jigs are suited to catch almost any fish, and if you’re fresh of the block, starting at a farm pond is perhaps the best place to learn. Other lures that are good for beginners are crank baits and spinner baits; this is because all you need to do is simply cast the line and retrieve. If you’re looking to catch aggressive fish, spinner baits are considered extremely effective. Crank baits, on the other hand, work well on almost any fish. Plastic baits require a certain amount of skill, and are not recommended for beginners.

Fish-based selection

Selecting a lure depends not only on skill but also on the kind of fish you intend to catch. For bass, shorter chunkier lures are far better than the longer ones. Also, bright colors are a good choice, particularly in murky water. Conversely, bluefish prefer spoons; mirror lures or those colored silver are also effective. If you’re lucky, you might catch a trout with a spoon. If you’re looking catch some walleyes, spinners are perhaps most adept.

Colors

The color of a fishing lure is extremely important when fishing; this is because certain fish are attracted only to certain colors. Also, water and weather will often determine the color of your lure.

For instance, it is advisable to stick with bright colors on bright sunny days and dark colors for cloudy skies. For murky water, opt for orange, red, pink, and white colored lures, while for clear water nickel, brass, blue, black, green, and purple are most suited.

The right fishing lure can spell the difference between a good catch and a poor one. For more information fishing lures visit http://www.seaisletackle.com and make an informed decision.

i live in south eastern PA and don’t know to much about trout fishing. I have been using spinners but havnt had any luck at all. what would you recommend, whether it be powerbait, spinners, or anything, and what colors should they be

I mean a full throttle pouring rain that turns the water the color of chocolate milk.