CRappie jig showdown: Testing and reviewing the top picks for ultimate success
Welcome to the ultimate guide for crappy enthusiasts seeking to up their game on the water. When it comes to crappie fishing, choosing the right jig can be the difference between a day of frustration and a day of limiting out. With a multitude of options available, we understand that selecting the perfect crappie jig can be a daunting task.
That’s precisely why we even barked on an extensive testing and review journey to bring you the definitive top 5 list of crappie jigs poised to revolutionize your crappie fishing experience. These jigs have been rigorously tested, battling it out in various conditions, depths, and against the Discerning Taste of crappie.
This comprehensive guide will unveil our top 5 crappie jig picks complete with detailed insights into what makes each jig shine. Whether you’re a seasoned angler looking to fine-tune your tackle box or a newcomer eager to discover the secret of crappie success, our expert reviews will give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.
Best Overall: Bonehead Tackle Stump Bug
Key Features
- Sizes: 1.75”
- 21 standard colors, and 4 glow bait options
- High-action split tail, with a tube shape body
Top 5 Crappie Jig Colors for Clear Water
- Moon Dust
- Slick Neon
- White Lightening
- Slick
- Silver Shad
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- Night Stick
- Grapevine
- Palestine Special
- Blood Moon
- Paradise
Pros
- The most durable of all the baits tested
- Versatility: The middle paddle leg can be removed to alter the action
- Great color selection
- Durability
Cons
- Limited dealers in the southeast
Bonehead is a Texas-based company, and while there are numerous dealers throughout Texas to Tennessee there are very few in the southeast. I just order online straight from Bonehead. The shipping is fast and they always have every color. They make several different profiles but the Stump Bug is my go-to for fishing brush, shooting docks, and fishing under a cork. There is constant action with this bait even if you think you’re holding it still. You can easily catch 75 to 100 fish on one bait. The dense body can take a beating and doesn’t fall apart when having to push it back on the keeper of the jig head. There are 16 baits to a package, so one pack can last several months depending on how much you’re on the water. If I was told I could only use one bait for the year I wouldn’t hesitate to go with the Stump Bug
Runner Up: Crappie Magnet
Key Features
- Sizes: 1.5”
- Split tail, with a tube shape body
- 44 color options
- 15 or 50-count packs
Top 5 Colors for Clear Water
- Enid/Chartreuse
- Pumpkin Pie
- Heavy D
- ShoNuff
- ShoNuff/Chartreuse
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- Therapist
- Dude
- Black Chart
- Mardis Gras
- Isom
Pros
- Small profile
- Very inexpensive
- Large color selection
Cons
- Limited tail action
Crappie magnet baits have long been hailed as game changers in the world of crappie fishing. Innovative Bates have earned their reputation for one simple reason they consistently catch crappie with unmatched efficiency. Design with precision crappie magnet baits mimic the natural prey of crappie making them irresistible to inactive fish. They do not have the durability of Bonehead but are a close second. I’ve caught 40 fish on one bait with little wear, and not only are they a great crappie bait but you can catch all species of panfish with it. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro the versatility and effectiveness of crappie magnet baits make them a must-have in your arsenal.
Charlie Brewer’s Slider
Key Features
- Sizes: 1” and 1.5”
- Paddle tail
- 75 color options
- 15-count or 100-count packs
Top 5 colors for clear water
- Funky Monkey
- Monkey Shine
- Baby Bass
- Deer John
- Grasshopper
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- June Bug/Chartreuse
- Avocado
- Starlight
- Stardust
- Muscadine
Pros
- tail action
- Huge color selection
- Carried in most stores
Cons
- No versatility
- Not as durable
Charlie Brewer’s Crappie Sliders have carved out a prominent place in the hearts of crappie anglers for their time-tested effectiveness. These versatile little lures are designed to bring crappie to your line with remarkable consistency. Crafted with precision and a keen understanding of crappie behavior, Crappie Sliders offer a lifelike presentation that’s hard for crappie to resist. Whether you’re casting into the shallows, probing deeper waters, or experimenting with various techniques, Charlie Brewer’s Crappie Sliders are known to excel. The area they excel most is longline trolling. They have always worked on all the lakes I’ve fished on. The paddle tail gives great action for the reaction strike you’re looking for when longline trolling. I’ve used others but I don’t get the result like I do with Crappie Sliders.
Strike King Mr. Crappie Shadpole
Key Features
- Sizes: 2”
- Wiggle tail with a ball
- 25 color options
Top 5 Colors for Clear Water
- Smokey Shad
- Glimmer Blue
- Pumpkin Seed/Chartreuse
- Refrigerator White
- Salt and Pepper
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- Purple Sage
- Tuxedo Black/Chartreuse
- Junebug/Chartreuse
- Who Dat
- Cajun Cricket
Pros
- Ball tail action
- Available at any retail fishing store
- Larger profile
- Versatility
Cons
- Less durable
Meet the Mr. Crappie Shadpole, a true game-changer in the realm of crappie fishing. These innovative lures, designed by none other than the legendary Wally Marshall, have earned their stripes as top performers on the water. The Shadpole’s lifelike design and natural swimming action mimic the appearance of real shad, a favorite delicacy of crappie. This attention to detail is precisely what makes Mr. Crappie Shadpole lures so effective. The Shadpole catches crappie, but the durability does come into question. I would like to see a more firm material used. You could realistically catch 15 to 20 fish before changing jigs, and that would be acceptable in most people’s eyes. It’s just worth mentioning, and it would be higher on the list if not for that. This is a dangerous jig under a cork pitching to docks. It draws fish in from the shadows on those hot summer days when fish are lethargic.
Redneck Rubber Beaver Bottom Baits
Key Features
- Sizes: 1.5” and 2”
- Flat paddle tail
- The tail can be split
Top 5 Colors for Clear Water
- Frosty Mug
- White Lightning
- Milkweed
- Bone Meal
- Silver Tongue Devil
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- Fried Okra
- Thunder Bug
- Fried Pickle
- VooDoo
- Truman Tornado
Pros
- The paddle tail can be split
- Durability
- Color selection
Cons
- Needs more action
When it comes to crappie fishing, Beaver Bottom Baits crappie jigs are a name that anglers trust. These meticulously crafted jigs have earned their reputation for one simple reason – they catch crappie, and they do it exceptionally well. Designed with precision and an understanding of crappie behavior, Beaver Bottom Baits crappie jigs deliver a lifelike presentation that entices even the most finicky fish. Whether you’re a seasoned crappie enthusiast or a beginner looking to enhance your success on the water, these jigs are a valuable addition to your tackle box. In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the world of Beaver Bottom Baits crappie jigs, uncovering what makes them stand out, and offering insights on how to make the most of these outstanding lures during your crappie fishing adventures. Redneck Rubber makes some of the best muddy water crappie baits.
Some Honorable Mentions
Jenko Big T Fry Baby
Key Features
- Sizes: 2”
- Stinger tail
- Garlic scent infused
- 34 color options
Top 5 Colors for Clear Water
- Dirty Milk
- Blue Grass
- Blue Moon
- Chartreuse Lime
- Purple Passion
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- June Bug
- Midnight Chartreuse
- Spud
- Sun Burst
- Mississippi Money
Pros
- Great for casting or jigging
- Works well under a cork
- Large stained water color selection
Cons
- Very soft plastic
One name that stands out is Jenko, and their Big T Fry Baby crappie jigs are a testament to their commitment to excellence. These meticulously crafted lures have earned a well-deserved reputation among anglers for their ability to consistently bring crappie to the boat. Designed with a deep understanding of crappie behavior, the Big T Fry Baby jigs offer a remarkably lifelike presentation that proves irresistible to these elusive fish. Whether you’re an experienced crappie angler or just beginning your journey, having a selection of these jigs in your tackle box can make all the difference on the water. Most everyone in crappie fishing knows Tony “Big
T” Sheppard, and he’s put his name on a good bait. The downside to the Fry Baby is its durability. Bonehead seems to be the measuring stick for durability and this bait doesn’t have the same longevity. It catches fish, but you may go through an entire pack in a day.
Southern Pro Crappie Stinger
Key Features
- Sizes: 1.5”
- 10, 25, and 100 count packs
- 14 color options
Top 5 Colors for Clear Water
- White/Chartreuse
- Silver Scalehead/Pearl
- Monkey Milk
- Silver Scalehead/Chartreuse
- Pearl
Top 5 Colors for Stained Water
- Black/Chartreuse
- Purple Scalehead/Chartreuse
- Red/Chartreuse
- Cajun Cricket
- Red/White
Pros
- Good tail action
- Small profile
- Durability
Cons
- Color selection
The Southern Pro Crappie Stinger has earned its place as a trusted companion for crappie anglers seeking consistent success on the water. These meticulously designed lures are a testament to Southern Pro’s dedication to providing top-quality crappie baits. Crafted with a deep understanding of crappie behavior, the Crappie Stinger offers a lifelike presentation that entices even the most discerning crappie. There were only a couple colors that I consistently caught fish on, the White/Chartreuse, Silver Scalehead/Pearl, and Black/Chartreuse. This is a good dock shooting bait. It skips well to get back into the deepest of docks. You can expect to catch between 50 and 75 fish on one jig.
Bobby Garland Slab Slay’R
Key Features
- Sizes: 2” and 3”
- Spear shaped tail
- Ribbed body
- The tail can be split
Top 5 Colors for Clear Water
- Live Minnow
- Bone White Chartreuse
- Pumpkin Pearl Chartreuse
- Chartreuse Silver Flake
- Eclipse
Top 5 Colors of Stained Water
- Lights Out
- Black Chartreuse Silver
- Goldmember
- June Bug Pearl Chartreuse
- Orange Chartreuse Silver
Pros
- 42 different colors
- Good tail action
Cons
- Very soft plastic
The Bobby Garland Slab Slay’R is a tried-and-true favorite among crappie anglers, renowned for its consistent ability to attract and hook crappie with remarkable success. These meticulously crafted lures exemplify Bobby Garland’s unwavering commitment to producing top-tier crappie baits. Designed with a profound understanding of crappie behavior, the Slab Slay’R offers a lifelike presentation that irresistibly entices even the most selective crappie. If you don’t mind changing baits every 4 to 5 fish, then this is a good bait. You may like the super soft body on these jigs, which lends to the action of the tail. They catch fish and have a plethora of color choices.
As we wrap up our in-depth exploration of the crappie jig showdown, it’s clear that selecting the right jig can make all the difference between a frustrating day on the water and a triumphant one. We’ve put these jigs to the test in various conditions, and each one has proven its mettle in its own unique way. Whether you prefer the toughness of the Bonehead Stump Bug, the lifelike precision of Crappie Magnet, the versatility of Jenko’s Big T Fry Baby, the renowned effectiveness of Mr. Crappie Shadpole, the trusty reliability of Beaver Bottom Baits, or the exceptional design of Southern Pro Crappie Stinger, you’ve got an array of top-tier options to suit your style and fishing goals.
Remember, the success of crappie fishing hinges not only on the quality of your gear but also on your understanding of crappie behavior and the conditions you’re facing. So, arm yourself with the knowledge gained from our reviews, experiment with these exceptional jigs, and adapt your approach based on the waters you fish. Whichever jig you choose, here’s to countless days filled with memorable crappie catches and the thrilling adventures that come with them