How to Fish for Crappie with Artificial Bait

Fishing for crappie with artificial bait is one of the most effective and popular strategies among anglers. Soft crappie plastics are versatile, long-lasting, and come in a variety of shapes and colors that appeal to crappie in different conditions.

To fish with plastics, pair a soft plastic bait—such as a slim stick or minnow-style body—with a light crappie jig head, usually 1/16 oz or 1/8 oz depending on the depth and wind. Cast near structure or fish vertically over brush piles and let the bait fall naturally. Subtle twitches and slow lifts help mimic the movement of injured baitfish.

You can also fish plastics under a fixed or slip bobber. This works well when targeting crappie suspended at a specific depth, especially in shallow water or around docks and submerged cover.

Are Hair Jigs Better Than Plastics for Crappie?

Hair jigs have long been a favorite among crappie anglers, especially during cold water months. Their flowing, natural motion works well when fish are sluggish. However, plastics offer more control, variety, and ease of use. They can be switched out quickly to adjust color, size, or style, making them ideal for covering water and dialing in what crappie are biting.

While hair jigs shine in colder temperatures or heavily pressured waters, soft plastics often outperform them when crappie are more aggressive or during warmer seasons. Many anglers keep both in their tackle box and choose based on the day’s conditions.

What Colors Do Crappie See Best?

Crappie rely heavily on sight to feed, so choosing the right color is key. In clear water, natural colors like white, silver, and light blue tend to work best. In murky or stained water, high-contrast and bright colors such as chartreuse, pink, and orange are more effective.

Studies suggest crappie can see blue and green shades especially well. Many successful anglers start with a combo of chartreuse and another bright color, adjusting based on how the fish respond. Sometimes, a small color change can make a big difference in getting more bites.

How to Catch More Crappie with BoneHead Plastics

Crappie anglers know that when the bite turns tough, having the right plastic in your tackle box can make all the difference. That’s where BoneHead Tackle shines. This family-owned business, proudly rooted in East Texas, brings cutting-edge innovation to the world of crappie fishing with some of the most durable and effective plastics on the market today.

Crappie prefer small minnows, insects, and baitfish imitators—exactly what BoneHead plastics are made to replicate. The best bait often depends on seasonal patterns, water clarity, and fish behavior, but BoneHead’s Slim Sticks and Stump Bugs are versatile enough to work in a variety of situations.

Most anglers rig BoneHead plastics on a jig head, using 1/16 oz or 1/8 oz sizes depending on depth and conditions. For suspended fish, a bobber rig can be very effective. Just ensure the bait is well-balanced and moves naturally in the water.

Jig head color can also make a difference. Bright colors like chartreuse or pink may add a visual trigger, while more natural tones are better suited for clear water conditions.

Top BoneHead Picks for Slabs

If you’re looking to target big crappie, BoneHead’s best picks include the 3″ Slim Stick for its longer profile, the 1.75″ Slim Stick for finesse situations, the 2.5″ Minnow for its realistic swimming action, the Stump Bugs for brush piles, and the versatile 2-3/8″ Slim Stick for all-around use.

Why Choose BoneHead Tackle

BoneHead Tackle is a family owned and operated company based in East Texas. Their soft plastics are designed with simplicity and performance in mind, offering proven action and superior durability. Each bait is made to perform under real fishing conditions, and their color selection ensures you’re ready for anything on the water.

Proven Designs That Get Bit

BoneHead Tackle’s plastics are known for their simple yet highly effective designs that hold up fish after fish. Whether you’re fishing stained waters, clear lakes, or pressured areas, BoneHead’s lineup gives crappie anglers reliable options for every condition.

3″ Slim Stick: The 3″ Slim Stick offers a slender profile and subtle tail action that excels in all conditions. Ideal for vertical jigging or casting.

2-3/8″ Slim Stick: This size offers the same effective action in a slightly more compact profile. A great choice when fish are feeding a bit lighter.

1.75″ Slim Stick: Designed for finesse presentations, this smaller version shines when crappie are picky and hard to hook.

1-3/4″ Stump Bugs: A compact body with twitchy legs makes the Stump Bug ideal for fishing in and around brush piles and structure.

2-1/2″ Minnows: The slim split tail on this bait creates natural swimming action perfect for dock shooting and slow retrieves.

Whether you’re a weekend angler or a dedicated crappie chaser, BoneHead Tackle offers reliable, affordable, and high-performing soft plastics that deserve a spot in your tackle box.

Shop the full collection at BoneHead Tackle and see why so many crappie anglers trust them season after season.