Best Fishing Lures for Crappie: 5 Picks
Crappie eat small baitfish and insects, so the best crappie lures are small: mostly 1/32 to 1/8 oz jigs with...
By James
Updated November 10, 2026
Crappie eat small baitfish and insects, so the best crappie lures are small: mostly 1/32 to 1/8 oz jigs with 1 1/2 to 2 inch soft bodies. The jig body and color matter less than putting the lure at the right depth and moving it slowly. Crappie often suspend around brush, docks, and standing timber, and a lure that hangs at their level without sinking past them gets bit.
This guide covers five crappie lures that handle the most common situations: a shad-tail soft plastic, a split-tail jig kit, a bladed jig head, a beginner-friendly spinner jig, and a small hard bait. We compared each maker’s published sizes and designs, and we note how and when to fish each one. For more lure guides, see our lures and baits section.
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 |
Bobby Garland Baby Shad
|
8.0/10 | Check Price |
| Best kit |
Crappie Magnet Best of Best Kit
|
7.8/10 | Check Price |
| Best bladed jig |
Blakemore Road Runner Jig Head
|
7.7/10 | Check Price |
| Best for beginners |
Johnson Beetle Spin
|
7.1/10 | Check Price |
| Best hard bait |
Rapala Ultra Light Minnow
|
7.4/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
Bobby Garland Baby Shad
Why it made the list: The Baby Shad is a 2 inch soft plastic with a plump body and a thin spear tail that quivers with very little movement. That subtle action suits crappie, which often bite best when the lure barely moves. Rig it on a 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig head and swim it slowly, or hang it under a float.
Key specs: 2 inch soft plastic; solid body with thin spear tail; 18 per pack; many colors.
Skip it if: you want a ready-to-fish lure with no rigging. The Beetle Spin comes assembled.
Pros
- Tail moves with almost no rod action
- Durable body holds up to several fish
- Works with any small jig head
Cons
- Jig heads sold separately
- So many colors that choosing can be confusing
Crappie Magnet Best of Best Kit
Why it made the list: This 115-piece kit is a full crappie setup in one box: Crappie Magnet split-tail bodies, Double Cross jig heads, and E-Z Crappie floats. The split-tail body has little action on its own, which works for vertical jigging and for fishing under a float, two of the most common crappie methods.
Key specs: 115 pieces; split-tail bodies; Double Cross jig heads (Crappie Magnet sells these in 1/32, 1/16, and 1/8 oz); E-Z Crappie floats.
Skip it if: you mostly cast and retrieve in open water. A shad-tail body or bladed jig has more swimming action.
Pros
- Bodies, jig heads, and floats in one kit
- Good for vertical jigging and float fishing
- Durable bodies
Cons
- Little built-in action for swimming retrieves
- Kit colors are preset
Blakemore Road Runner
Why it made the list: The Road Runner is a jig head with a small spinning blade under the head. The blade adds flash and keeps turning even on a slow retrieve, which helps when crappie are scattered and you need to cover water. Add a small soft body like the Baby Shad or use live minnows.
Key specs: classic heads in 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 oz; hooks #6 to 1/0; Indiana blade. This listing is a chartreuse 1/32 oz five-pack.
Skip it if: you fish tight inside thick brush piles. A plain jig snags less.
Pros
- Flash on slow retrieves
- Works with soft plastics or live bait
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Blade can foul in heavy brush
- Very light heads are hard to cast in wind
Johnson Beetle Spin
Why it made the list: The Beetle Spin is about as simple as crappie lures get: a small jig with a grub body on a safety-pin spinner arm. Cast it out and reel it in slowly. The spinner arm comes off when you want a plain jig, and the jig head has a steel shot rattle.
Key specs: this listing is 1/32 oz, 1 inch, white with red dots, nickel blade; removable safety-pin spinner; polycarbonate jig head with a steel shot rattle.
Skip it if: you fish vertically over deep brush. A plain jig or a Crappie Magnet works better straight down.
Pros
- Very easy for kids and beginners
- Also catches bluegill and small bass
- Spinner removes for a plain jig
Cons
- Small hook and body are less durable
- Spinner arm can bend after snags
Rapala Ultra Light Minnow
Why it made the list: When crappie are chasing baitfish in shallow water, a small hard minnow can draw bigger fish. Rapala’s Ultra Light Minnow is a slow-sinking 1/8 oz minnow made for light spinning gear, and it runs 2 to 3 feet deep, which suits spring crappie in the shallows.
Key specs: 1/8 oz; 1 1/2 in (ULM04) or 2 1/2 in (ULM06); 2 to 3 ft running depth; two #10 (ULM04) or #8 (ULM06) treble hooks; slow sinking. This listing is chrome.
Skip it if: crappie are suspended deep around brush piles. A jig is easier to keep at their depth.
Pros
- Strong baitfish profile for bigger crappie
- Slow sink suits shallow water
- Also catches trout, perch, and bass
Cons
- Costs more than jigs, and trebles snag in brush
- Limited to shallow water
Crappie Lures Compared
| Lure | Type | Size / weight | Best method | Needs rigging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Garland Baby Shad | Soft plastic | 2 in | Slow swim or float | Yes, jig head |
| Crappie Magnet kit | Split-tail jig kit | Heads 1/32 to 1/8 oz | Vertical jig or float | Kit includes heads |
| Blakemore Road Runner | Bladed jig head | 1/32 to 1/4 oz | Slow retrieve | Yes, soft body |
| Johnson Beetle Spin | Spinner jig | 1/32 oz, 1 in (listing) | Cast and retrieve | No |
| Rapala Ultra Light Minnow | Hard minnow | 1/8 oz, 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 in | Shallow retrieve | No |
How We Picked
We did not fish these lures for this guide. We researched lure types crappie anglers commonly use and compared each maker’s published sizes and designs. Our criteria:
- Crappie-sized: mostly 1/32 to 1/8 oz and 1 to 2 1/2 inches.
- Covers a different method: slow swimming, vertical jigging, float fishing, cast and retrieve, and shallow hard baits.
- Published details from the maker.
- Value, since crappie anglers lose many jigs in brush.
Lures do not carry meaningful warranties, so every lure here gets the same neutral warranty score. 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. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose Crappie Lures
Depth first
Crappie often suspend at one depth. Count your jig down after the cast, and once you get a bite, count to the same number on the next cast. A float lets you set an exact depth.
Jig weight
Use 1/32 oz in shallow water and for a slow fall, 1/16 oz as an all-around size, and 1/8 oz in deeper water, wind, or current.
Color
In clear water, natural shad and white colors work well. In stained water, try chartreuse, black and chartreuse, or bright combinations. Change colors if the bite stops.
Light gear
A 5’6″ to 7′ ultralight or light spinning rod with 4 to 6 lb line casts small jigs best. Longer rods help when you fish around docks and brush. See our ultralight spinning reels and monofilament line picks.
FAQ
What is the best lure for crappie?
A small soft plastic on a 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig head is the most common and versatile crappie lure.
What color jigs do crappie like?
White, shad, and chartreuse colors are popular. Use natural colors in clear water and brighter colors in stained water.
What size jig is best for crappie?
1/16 oz is a good all-around size. Go lighter for a slower fall and heavier for deep water or wind.
Do crappie hit lures or live bait better?
Both work. Live minnows are a reliable option, while jigs let you cover water faster. Many anglers tip a jig with a minnow.
Final Thoughts
The Bobby Garland Baby Shad on a small jig head is our top crappie lure for its subtle tail action. Pick the Crappie Magnet kit for a complete setup, the Road Runner for flash on slow retrieves, the Beetle Spin for kids and beginners, and the Rapala Ultra Light Minnow for shallow crappie chasing baitfish. For other schooling fish, see our white bass lures guide.
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.