Anyone who loves to fish for crappie knows that ice fishing can be a great way to catch these tasty fish. In order to increase your chances of success, it’s important to use the right lures. Here are some of the best ice fishing lures for crappie, based on expert reviews
Best Ice Fishing Lures For Crappie Review
If you are looking for the best ice fishing lures for crappie, look no further! We have compiled a list of the top-rated lures for this popular fish. Read on to learn more about each one and find the perfect lure for your next trip out on the ice!
1# Kalin’s Crappie Scrub
The Kalin’s Crappie Scrub is the perfect bait for anglers who want to up their game. With twice the thump and tail action of any other paddle tail grub on the market, this 1-3/4” soft bait is guaranteed to attract fish. Whether you’re using it as a jig or just casting it out, the Kalin’s Crappie Scrub is sure to give you the results you’re looking for. So if you’re serious about fishing, don’t go another day without the Kalin’s Crappie Scrub in your tackle box.
2# Bobby Garland Crappie Shooter
The Bobby Garland Crappie Shooter is the perfect lure for targeting crappie around docks and other structures. With its slim, Broad-bodied shad bait design, it easily gets into places other lures can’t, and its unique horizontal fall creates a realistic fluttering, dying-baitfish motion that is sure to attract fish. It also features a flat back and “boat-hull” belly for an enhanced skipping action, as well as a spear-shaped tail for increased stability and aerodynamics. For easy rigging, simply align the centerline hook with the guide on the lure. Get ready to reel in some big crappie with the Bobby Garland Crappie Shooter!
3# Bass Pro Shops Tri-Color Crappie Grub
The Bass Pro Shops Tri-Color Crappie Grub is the perfect lure for panfish. With its three distinct colour laminations, it looks like a natural baitfish to crappie. The high-action tail provides the necessary trigger for strikes, and you’ll be reeling in fish left and right!
4# Bobby Garland Baby Shad Swim’R
The Bobby Garland Baby Shad Swim’R is a top-of-the-line baitfish imitation that is sure to help you land the big one! Borrowing from the shape and size of its Baby Shad sibling, the Swim’R incorporates additional features for totally different action and allure. The Swim’R sports a jointed body and a unique swim tail that mimics the effortless movement of a real baitfish. It also has a scent channel in its belly that can be used for holding optional fish-attractant scents, should you choose to use them. Made in the USA, this high-quality lure is sure to provide you with hours of fishing fun!
5# Bobby Garland Itty Bit Slab Slay’R
The Bobby Garland Itty Bit Slab Slay’R is a small bait that packs a powerful punch. Its solid ribbed body ensures easy rigging, while its thin, quivery spear-shaped tail provides just the right amount of movement to entice big crappies. Deadly on all panfish, this tiny bait is perfect for serious anglers looking to catch some serious fish.
6# VMC Tungsten Tubby Jig
The VMC Tungsten Tubby Jig is one of the most productive soft plastic baits on the market. Engineered with a tungsten weight, it quickly falls to the bottom where the bass is waiting. And because it’s paired with a VMC Power Gap hook, you’re guaranteed a solid hookset. Glow colours retain their charge for up to 15 minutes so you can keep fishing even when the sun starts to set.
7# Bobby Garland Baby Shad
Looking to up your crappie game? Bobby Garland’s Baby Shad is popular among tournament anglers for good reason – it’s a reliable performer that can turn a slow day on the water into a successful one. This soft plastic bait features durable construction, plump body profile, and spear-shaped tail that create an enticing action that is sure to attract fish. Don’t miss out on this legendary bait – give the Baby Shad a try on your next fishing adventure!
8# VMC Tungsten Probe Jig
The VMC Tungsten Probe Jig is a great way to attract finicky fish. The pre-rigged Trigger X body provides subtle action that is sure to trigger bites. The Power Gap hook has a 5% wider gap than traditional jig hooks, making it easier to set the hook. The compact tungsten head gets your bait down fast, making it ideal for crappie and other panfish species.
9# Bobby Garland Pile Diver Grub
The Bobby Garland Pile Diver Grub is designed to take big crappies from the thick stuff. Its ribbed body vibrates in contact with limbs, and its knobbed arms create a constant quivering action that is irresistible to fish. Large streamer legs produce even more movement, making it effective whether you’re moving or at rest. So if you’re looking for an edge in your crappie fishing, tie on a Pile Diver Grub and hang on!
10# Rapala Slab Rap
The Rapala Slab Rap is a deadly lipless slab bait that is great for all seasons. This bait is great for vertical jigging or casting and can be fished fast or slow, depending on the fish you are targeting. The Slab Rap is also great for all depths and all species. It is equipped with stealthy VMC trebles that will help you land more fish.
11# Rapala Jigging Rap
The Rapala Jigging Rap is a deadly jig for any time of year. Its minnow profile and balanced design provide an irresistible presentation, while the zinc weighted body ensures great casting distance. The single reversed hooks and centre treble hook ensure positive hookups, while the eyelet provides quick rigging.
12# VMC Tungsten Wingding Jigs
The VMC Tungsten Wingding Jig is a great option for anglers looking to target crappie and other panfish. The tungsten construction ensures that the jig will sink quickly, while the pre-rigged Trigger X body provides a realistic presentation that fish will find irresistible. The Sure-hooking Power Gap hook ensures positive hookups, even when bites are tentative. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the sport, the VMC Tungsten Wingding Jig is a great option for a successful day on the water.
FAQ
Conclusion
Ice fishing can be a great way to catch crappie, and using the right lures is essential for success. In this article, we have reviewed some of the best ice fishing lures for crappie, based on expert opinions. We have also answered some common questions about how to fish for crappie using different lures. So, whether you are a beginner or experienced angler, these tips will help you catch more crappie through ice fishing.
I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).
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Great article with a lot of helpful information on the best lures for crappie ice fishing. The reviews of the different products were especially useful.
I appreciate the breakdown of the different types of lures and their specific uses. This will definitely come in handy on my next ice fishing trip.
The tips on how to use the lures effectively were spot on. I can’t wait to try them out and see if they will improve my crappie catch.
I found this article to be a valuable resource for anyone looking to up their crappie ice fishing game. Highly recommend giving it a read.
I’ve been ice fishing for crappie for years and I learned a lot from this article. The author clearly knows their stuff and offers great advice for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
I always use a horizontal presentation with a combination of a tungsten jig and plastic lure when ice fishing for crappie. This method consistently outfishes my friends who use live bait. The color of the lure that I choose depends on the current conditions, but I start with a fire tiger color and then switch to white as a backup option.
As an experienced open-water fisherman with over 20 years of experience, I am new to the world of ice fishing this year. I have all the necessary gear but I am struggling to decide on the right tackle to purchase. I plan on targeting Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye. I have come across various options such as spoons, lead head jigs, and jigging raps, but I am unsure of what would work best. I have a $150 gift card to Cabelas and I am not sure how to spend it. I have seen some Northland kits on the website but they seem to be a bit pricey. Can anyone recommend some good options for me?
Crappie fishing can be a lot of fun and can be caught using a variety of lures and techniques. Some good options for lures include small jigs, minnows, and soft plastic baits.
For jigs, you can use a 1/32-ounce jighead with a small soft plastic body. For minnows, you can use small minnows such as fathead minnows or crappie minnows. Soft plastic baits such as tube jigs, grubs and twister tails also work well for crappie fishing.
Another popular technique for crappie fishing is to use a small slip bobber rig with a minnow or jig.
You can also try out different colors and sizes of the lures to see which one works best for the conditions and location you are fishing in. Some anglers also recommend using a combination of multiple lures to increase the chances of catching crappie.
Also, always check the local fishing regulations for the area you plan to fish in as some species or size may be restricted.
When it comes to ice fishing, I always make sure to have an assortment of sizes, colors, and glow-in-the-dark options on hand. I’ve found that regular jig heads don’t work as well for me, with the exception of mini mites.
If you use tip-ups, I recommend using a small treble hook on a fluoro leader and possibly adding a small glow-in-the-dark bead to the leader as well.
My top pick for a lure is the ant ice jig. It’s great for catching bluegill, crappie, and perch, and it’s a small lure that I usually only use in water less than 10 feet deep because it sinks slowly. Other lures I always use are:
Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to check the local fishing regulations for the area you plan to fish in, as some species or sizes may be restricted.
I’ve found a great source for tungsten jigs that are both affordable and high-quality. The hooks are sharp and the jigs are durable. I placed an order around Christmas time and the jigs arrived in just a few days. If you order 30 or more jigs, you’ll receive a free jig box. I ordered 34 jigs with the free case and the total cost, including shipping, was $43.
I recently began using tungsten marmosets and found them to be effective. My preference is for the white/pink variety. In the past, I only used them with a waxy lure, but this year I plan to experiment with using them with plastic tails as well.
Last Wednesday, I went ice fishing at a spot that is known to be a good location for catching crappie. However, despite the success of other anglers fishing nearby, I was only able to catch small perch, none of which were large enough to keep.
I began by using a white and pink tungsten jig with a red plastic tail, both with and without a spike, but this did not produce any crappie. I was fishing in 18 feet of water over a brush pile that rose to about 13 feet and could see marks indicating the presence of crappie in the 8-12 foot range.
Despite trying different techniques, such as raising the jig a couple of feet and then dropping it, jiggling it gently, popping it, and allowing it to flutter down, I was unable to attract the crappie. I also tried using an orange teardrop with a waxing, a small gold Dinner Bell with two spikes, and a blue tungsten jig with a couple of spikes, but none of these were successful in catching crappie.
The other anglers nearby were not willing to share their methods for catching crappie. Can anyone provide me with some suggestions for how to successfully catch crappie through the ice?
Here are a few suggestions for catching crappie through the ice:
Keep in mind that fishing is unpredictable, and it’s always good to have several options and strategies to try out. Hope this helps and good luck on your next fishing trip!