I've caught them on a variety of baits, not normally associated with Crappie fishing. Crankbaits, & spinnerbaits have taken some good ones ... but, the oddest one was a 4" Gene Larew Salt Craw I was Bass fishing, had the craw "texas rigged", and fishing a steep dropping rock cliff. Got the tell-tale "tic" in the line, set the hook, and thought I had a nice Bass ... for about 3 seconds. :p Then, I wondered if I hadn't lost the fish, for about another second or two ... until the Crappie came to the surface. Couldn't believe my eyes ... LOL!! It was a male Black Crappie, in full Tuxedo and would have gone a pound and a half to a pound and three quarters. I asked him to forgive me for interrupting his courting, and sent him back to continue in his endeavors.
... cp