| Bait fish are a very important part of crappie fishing. | | | | Two typical crappie fish rigs that are commonly used |
| In fact crappie minnows make up more then 50% of | | | | with a cigar float crappie rig, and pencil slip bobber |
| all baits used to catch crappie. Technically, minnows | | | | crappie rig. The cigar float is set at a fixed depth |
| are members of the cyprindae family, the largest fish | | | | while the pencil slip bobber crappie rig is set to certain |
| family in north America. Some of the 200 species in | | | | depth using a bobber stop, both are commonly used |
| the U.S such as the grass carp and gold fish which | | | | to catch crappie. |
| grow very large. The majority of the of crappie bait | | | | Two make a cigar float crappie rig or a pencil shaped |
| fish such as shiner minnows, daces and chubs seldom | | | | slip bobber rig is very simple, and both are commonly |
| grow to over 4 inches in length. The species that | | | | used with crappie bait fish as live bait. To make the |
| most anglers use as crappie bait fish are golden | | | | slip bobber crappie rig tie a number 12 to number 4 |
| golden shiner minnows and fathead minnows. | | | | long shanked crappie hook on your fishing line. next |
| All all baits used to catch crappie are not created | | | | slide your cigar on the line the depth you want to |
| equal. The crappie baitfish that are considered very | | | | fish and put the stop in place. next put a small spit |
| hardy fathead minnows, mudminnows, and goldfish. | | | | shot on the line about 3 to 4 inches above the hook. |
| Crappie baits that are considered moderately hardy | | | | To Make a pencil shaped slip bobber crappie rig to be |
| are young bluegills, creek chubs, hornyhead chubs, | | | | use with crappie bait fist slide your bobber stop up |
| southern red belly dace, blacknose dace, and blunt | | | | the line at the depth you want to fish for crappie. |
| nose minnows. Somewhat hardy crappie bait fish | | | | next slide the pencil shaped slip bobber up the line. |
| include golden shiners,common shiners,red shiners, and | | | | next tie a number 12 to number 4 long shanked |
| banded kill fish. Fragile bait fish include emerald shiners, | | | | crappie hook on your line,and last put a small spit |
| small gizzard shad,threadfin shad, and spottail shiners. | | | | shot sinker on your line just above the hook about 3 |
| The best type of bucket to use for your crappie bait | | | | to 4 inches. |
| is a styrofoam is a much better insulator so | | | | Well folks that concludes our article about crappie |
| therefore tends to keep your baitfish water cooler. | | | | bait fish. We sincerely hope you use our fishing |
| The ideal temperature to keep your crappie baitfish is | | | | information on your next fishing trip Good Luck! |
| between 55 to 65 degrees. | | | | |