Bait size what is too big? by Nimrod

Published on 10-30-2012 02:45 PM

I hear folks talking about down sizing baits almost daily on the forum. My home lake Nimrod maybe a fluke but I don't think so. So often folks think small when it comes to jigs or minnows for Crappie. I can't see why most folks are shocked when I show them the large 2'' Southern Pro umbrella tubes with a 1/8 oz lead head pushed inside. This gives the bait a larger bulkier profile. Even hand tied jigs like Meatgetters, I prefer 1/8 oz jigs.

There are many reasons I use larger baits for Crappie. First off look at that big mouth and tell me why they would be looking for tiny morsels. I find 3 to 4'' Shad regularly in the bellies of ones I fillet. So why would they not hit a 2'' bait ? My dear departed dad used Bass Minnows back in the 1970's for Crappie. I see folks trolling Crank baits every summer normally used for Bass.

Now for my style of fishing a heavier bait (1/8 oz) is easier to maintain contact with. I use the bait on a graphite jig pole like a curb feeler to replace my eyes as I can't see under the water. I pick apart the brush and man made structures I jig fish as much by feel as anything. Less missed strikes with a tight line using bigger baits. Another advantage of bigger baits is it allows me to use #2 or larger hook. I feel this helps as I pull all but the larger 1.5 lb + Crappie in with one swing. Only using the dip net when I hook extra large Crappie or other fish too heavy for my jig pole.

There maybe places where fish are mostly small or that they feed on bugs and small minnows. I have yet to find a place where Crappie did not eat whatever would fit in their mouths. Next time your thinking Crappie are finicky eaters , start checking the stomach contents of your catch. You may be surprised at how large the Minnows or Shad that Crappie inhaled. Most days when the fish are aggressive , I find they inhale bigger jigs almost 1/2 swallowing them at times. Next time you think Crappie baits don't automatically think small right outta the box. I think a bigger bait puts off more water displacement for fish to feel and larger profile easier to see even more so in murky water.

Good luck , I hope this helps you catch more and bigger Crappie.

Nimrod

Categories:
g) 2012 articles

23 Comments

cricket george - 10-30-2012, 05:29 PM
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I use 1/4 oz jig heads in winter and 3"-4" baits. I love big wasshoppas in the winter.

ready2fish - 10-30-2012, 05:36 PM
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Some good information, I'm sure you had fun learning this, thanks for taking your time to post this

With living up north were Crappie run on the smaller size i generally use 1/16 oz

Speckanator - 10-30-2012, 05:50 PM
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I agree with cricket george about using bigger baits in the winter. Like you said I've found big bait when I cut some of these open. I've also caught 3 to 4" crappie on 2" curly tails, so based on that the big ones should hit up to 6" baits easy. If it wasn't so expensive I would fish with shiners! Thanks for the article.

Billbob - 10-30-2012, 05:57 PM
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good read

Luvfatslabs - 10-30-2012, 06:46 PM
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Good article, I'll have to a try A bigger jighead

arrookie - 10-30-2012, 09:24 PM
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I'm new to crappie fishing but I have just discovered the truth in what you said. Today, fishing Overcup, I caught a heavy 17" fish. When i got to looking a it, it looked swollen..... Well, it was. When I filleted it this eve I opened its stomach and it had not 1, but 3 2 1/2-3" shad in its belly. Easy to see why he swallowed my 2" Midsouth with 1/16 oz. head with no problem !! Not sure why.... He shoulda been stuffed already !!

Mrs. Crappie Stalker - 10-31-2012, 08:16 AM
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Completely agree with you. I regularly fish 1/8 oz heads with the occasional 1/16 oz thrown in. I read about folks that use 1/32 oz. and even smaller heads, and I guess they work, since they're written about, but I've never had the inclination to use something that small. Heck, even bream manage to get their little mouths around the jigs I use.

Cray - 10-31-2012, 08:55 AM
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In winter I always rig one pole with a 3in Storm pre rigged shad. If those fish will swallow a bandit 2/3in plastics won't slow them down.

DRPEPPER - 10-31-2012, 09:48 AM
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Thanks Nimrod. You are always willing to share.
DP

ChrisCarter - 10-31-2012, 10:15 AM
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I use the small lighter jigs during the fall, for a slower presentation. I use the heavy bigger ones during the spring and summer.

mountain man - 10-31-2012, 05:14 PM
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I have seen some nice size crappie caught on 6 and8" plastic worms . we troll for trout alot and several years ago an old timer told me to fish large baits in early spring. said the baitfish were mature at that time,then smaller bait in the late spring and summer as the young grow, and larger again as fall and winter come. seems to work the same with crappie.

ifish - 10-31-2012, 07:00 PM
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I been trying out some new 2.5 inch baits and I am catching bigger and more fish. In our jig swaps I was always asked why my jig ties where so big and my answer was they catch bigger fish here on Ky. Lake. Good article. Thanks!
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/kentu...ng-report.html

EARL KITCHENS - 10-31-2012, 08:54 PM
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Great article. I could not agree with you more.

INTIMIDATOR - 11-01-2012, 10:51 AM
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My only Crappie bait is a 3" Keitech Swing Impact or 3" Easy Shiner, I use 1/16, 1/8th, or 1/4 oz jigheads (according to patterns/conditions) with a #1 sickle hook. And yes they can be used multiple ways...even under a bobber!
THIS IS ALL I USE...YEAR-ROUND!

CrappiePro - 11-02-2012, 04:04 AM
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I prefer to let the lake, part of the country im in, conditions, depth of water, mood of the fish as in trying smaller and larger baits to see which size I catch more and bigger fish on, determine what bait size I use. Example jigging shallow clear water in lilly pads in the fall... verses jigging a known stained water big crappie lake in the spring. You can bet I will be using two different sized baits for each situation. For me being versitle is the name of the game...I just dont buy into the big size fit's all metality.

Lotech Joe - 11-04-2012, 09:27 PM
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Great information. I've bee stuck on the small jig/bait idea for years. It only makes sense that if the fish can get it's paper mouth around the bait then that fish will eat it. Thanks for the info.