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Bryan Brasher shares his favorite tackle for crappie fishing in the spring.
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Light spinning tackle and 6-pound-test line are almost always the best tools for crappie fishing.
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A simple hook and split-shot rig is all that’s needed for fishing live minnows. A float is optional.
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Any soft-plastic bait pairs well with a jighead like the 1/16-ounce Neon Moon Eye from VMC. The heads are available in a wide variety of stylish colors and sizes for every type of panfishing.
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Crappie lures come in every color of the rainbow and are made of everything from plastic to feathers to the hair of squirrel tails. They usually range in size from 1/32- to 1/4-ounce.
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The brighter colors, like this red/chartreuse combo, are often a favorite in stained water. But when the crappie are really biting, color is sometimes irrelevant.
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Jigs like these Jiffy Jigs from Vidalia, Ga., are sold in cards of 12 — and when you’re fishing thick cover, it’s easy to go through several cards a day.
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Soft-plastic baits like these ice blue Crappie Stingers from Calico Custom Lures offer lots of action in the water. Read an in-depth review in our Gear Up section.
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Floats come in all shapes and sizes, and they’ll all work fine for crappie fishing. Most experienced anglers prefer a brightly colored float that’s easy to see and a streamlined model that’s easy for a crappie to sink without pulling loose from the hook.
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Some floats are detachable, meaning they can be easily added and removed to your line. Others are known as “line-through” floats that have to be attached during the rigging process.
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If you’re fishing particularly treacherous cover, sometimes it’s wise to use a float that keeps your jig just above the limbs and stumps that will snag your hook. Plus, you get the added thrill of watching a fish sink the float.