Best Crappie Jigs: 6 Heads and Bodies That Catch Slabs
Most crappie are caught on small jigs: a light jig head, usually 1/32 to 1/8 oz, with a soft plastic...
By James
Updated November 10, 2026
Most crappie are caught on small jigs: a light jig head, usually 1/32 to 1/8 oz, with a soft plastic body. The combination is cheap, simple, and works whether you cast to brush, vertically jig over cover, slow-troll, or suspend it under a bobber. Getting the weight right for the depth, and the color right for the water, matters more than the brand.
This guide compares six crappie jig heads and bodies from Bobby Garland, Strike King, Blakemore, Z-Man, and Bass Assassin. We compared each listing’s size, weight, pack count, material, and design. For other crappie lures like hard baits and kits, see our crappie lures guide; for floats, see our fishing bobbers guide.
Our Top Picks
| Best for | Product | FH Score About FH ScoreThe FH Score is our editorial rating from 0 to 10, based on published specs, materials, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings and is never influenced by commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall body |
Bobby Garland Baby Shad (50 pack)
|
8.0/10 | Check Price |
| Best jig heads |
Strike King Mr. Crappie Jig Heads
|
8.2/10 | Check Price |
| Best bladed jig head |
Blakemore Road Runner Jig Head
|
7.5/10 | Check Price |
| Most durable body |
Z-Man Shad FryZ
|
8.0/10 | Check Price |
| Best paddle tail |
Strike King Mr. Crappie Slabalicious (15 pack)
|
7.4/10 | Check Price |
| Best small shad |
Bass Assassin Shad (1.5 in, 15 pack)
|
7.0/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
Bobby Garland Baby Shad (50 pack)
Why it made the list: The Baby Shad is one of the best-known crappie plastics. Its thin tail quivers on the slightest movement, which suits slow jigging and suspended fish. This bulk pack holds 50 baits of one color in a resealable wet-style bag that keeps them fresh and straight.
Key specs: Baby Shad soft plastic; 50 same-color baits; flip-lid wet-style bag with non-scented lubricant; 10 colors offered in bulk.
Skip it if: you want to try many colors. A smaller variety pack lets you find what works first.
Pros
- Subtle tail action
- Large pack for the price
- Bag keeps baits fresh
Cons
- One color per bag
- Soft plastic tears on bigger fish
Strike King Mr. Crappie Jig Heads (1/16 oz, 25 pack)
Why it made the list: A good crappie jig head has a thin, sharp hook that penetrates easily and bends free from snags, and a keeper that holds the plastic in place. The Mr. Crappie head has both, in a 1/16 oz size that covers most crappie water, 25 to a pack. Strike King also notes it shows up well on forward-facing sonar.
Key specs: 1/16 oz; 25 per pack; thin wire hook; barbed keeper on the shank; for jigging, casting, trolling, or tipping with live bait.
Skip it if: you fish deep water or wind. Add 1/8 oz heads.
Pros
- Thin wire hook for easy hooksets
- Barbed keeper holds plastics
- Good value in bulk
Cons
- One weight per pack
- Thin wire can bend on big fish
Blakemore Road Runner Jig Head (1/32 oz)
Why it made the list: The Road Runner adds a small spinning blade under the head, so it flashes and vibrates even on a slow, steady retrieve. Many crappie anglers use it when fish are spread out and need a little extra attraction. This pack holds five 1/32 oz heads in chartreuse.
Key specs: 1/32 oz; chartreuse; 5 per pack; blade under the head.
Skip it if: you vertical jig over brush. A plain jig head snags less.
Pros
- Flash on a slow retrieve
- Easy to fish: cast and reel
- Works for many panfish
Cons
- Small pack
- Blade can twist light line
Z-Man Shad FryZ
Why it made the list: Z-Man’s ElaZtech material stretches instead of tearing, so one Shad FryZ can last many crappie, and it resists tail bite-offs from bluegill. It has a deep, segmented shad-fry body and a paddle tail that swims at slow speeds.
Key specs: shad and panfish fry profile; segmented body; paddle tail; ElaZtech material; for crappie, panfish, perch, trout, and bass.
Skip it if: you want the subtle quiver of a thin tail. The Baby Shad is subtler.
Pros
- Very durable
- Natural swimming action
- Resists panfish bite-offs
Cons
- Costs more per bait
- ElaZtech floats, which changes how it hangs on the jig
Strike King Mr. Crappie Slabalicious (15 pack)
Why it made the list: When crappie are active, a paddle tail gives more thump and draws fish from farther away. The Slabalicious has a distinctive profile with a paddle tail and comes 15 to a pack.
Key specs: paddle-tail soft plastic; 15 per pack.
Skip it if: crappie are short-striking in cold water. Use a subtle tail.
Pros
- Strong tail action
- Good for casting and trolling
- Pairs with Mr. Crappie heads
Cons
- Few details on the listing
- More action than finicky fish may want
Bass Assassin Shad (1.5 in, 15 pack)
Why it made the list: The 1.5-inch Bass Assassin shad is a small, slim body for finicky crappie and other panfish. This pack holds 15 baits in salt-and-pepper silver, a natural baitfish color.
Key specs: 1.5 in shad body; 15 per pack; salt and pepper silver. The listing gives few other details.
Skip it if: you want a bigger profile for big slab crappie. Try the Slabalicious.
Pros
- Small profile for tough bites
- Natural color
- Low cost
Cons
- Few published details
- One color per pack
Crappie Jigs Compared
| Product | Type | Size or weight | Pack | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Garland Baby Shad | Body | Not stated | 50 | Soft plastic |
| Mr. Crappie Jig Heads | Jig head | 1/16 oz | 25 | Lead head, thin wire hook |
| Blakemore Road Runner | Bladed jig head | 1/32 oz | 5 | Not stated |
| Z-Man Shad FryZ | Body | Not stated | Not stated | ElaZtech |
| Mr. Crappie Slabalicious | Body | Not stated | 15 | Soft plastic |
| Bass Assassin Shad | Body | 1.5 in | 15 | Soft plastic |
How We Picked
We did not fish these jigs for this guide. We researched each one and compared the information on the makers’ listings. Our criteria:
- Action at the slow speeds crappie prefer.
- Hook quality on jig heads.
- Durability of bodies.
- Value per bait and pack size.
The FH Score in each product box is our editorial rating, built from five weighted criteria: performance for the job, build quality, versatility, warranty and value. Lures carry no warranty, so every product gets the same neutral warranty score. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose Crappie Jigs
Jig weight
Use 1/32 oz for shallow water and slow falls, 1/16 oz as an all-around choice, and 1/8 oz for deeper water, wind, and trolling.
Body style
Thin, quivering tails suit cold water and pressured fish. Paddle tails and curly tails suit active fish and trolling. Tubes are a classic choice under bobbers.
Color
Many anglers start with chartreuse in stained water and natural shad colors in clear water, then experiment.
Line
Light line, around 4 to 6 lb, lets small jigs fall and swim naturally.
Related Guides
- Best Fishing Lures for Crappie
- Best Fishing Bobbers
- Best Soft Plastic Baits for Bass
- Best Walleye Rod and Reel Combos
See more in our Jigs section.
FAQ
What size jig is best for crappie?
A 1/16 oz head with a 1.5 to 2 inch body is a good all-around setup.
What is the best color jig for crappie?
There is no single best color. Chartreuse combinations are a common starting point, especially in stained water.
Should I tip crappie jigs with bait?
Adding a small minnow or a piece of scented bait can help on slow days. Check your local regulations.
Final Thoughts
Start with Bobby Garland Baby Shads on Strike King Mr. Crappie jig heads, the simplest and most versatile combination here. Add a Blakemore Road Runner for flash, Z-Man Shad FryZ when panfish keep tearing tails, Slabalicious paddle tails for active fish, and small Bass Assassin shads for tough bites.
About the author
James writes reviews and buying guides for Fishing Hacking, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and the gear anglers rely on. His work focuses on clear criteria, balanced pros and cons, and practical advice to help readers choose equipment that fits how and where they fish.