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? My answer to you is I recommend using 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: You will get a lot of controversy here so I am going to 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.
Shiner minnows are my favorite minnow to use, I prefer the smaller variety about 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 were in the large slab categories of fisherman then I would say bigger the minnow bigger the crappie (but much less on the crappie bite)Me, I just love to catch fish. The reason I like the shiner minnow is because their bodies reflect light like a mirror that attracts the crappie. Crappies are easily attracted to changes in light patterns,so these little live crappie baits will do the trick. 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. Get yourself a small empty pill container,chop a onion into very small pieces than fill the container about half full. Hook your minnow thru the upper and lower lip than tip the end of the hook with a small piece of onion. 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.
A good worm to use is the small worms that crawl over your sidewalk after it rains, they are commonly called "angle worms" 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. The next little tip I am going to tell you about is not for someone weak of the stomach. Now Catch yourself a mudfish or carp and cut out a large piece from behind his head. Barry 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. Live Bait For CrappieVisit my website oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed"
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