Dreaming about a particular jig being the perfect choice for success is part of the fun of fishing. However, having a few good colors in a variety of bait actions and styles are all a fisherman needs. Which ones do you have…or need?

Split-tail grub: The Johnson Beetle has been around for decades. This do-nothing grub has a unique, subtle action. Use it when jigging to trigger a lot of bites. It works because crappies don’t often see it. Hold it still to entice fish. Examples include the Johnson Beetle, Crappie Magnet Split Tail, and Slider Whirley Bee Grub.

Baby shad & stinger: These bodies have a single tail with action mimicking a minnow. They are excellent for vertical jigging or pitching. Holding the bait still is best because that’s when the tail has a quiver action that entices strikes. This style of bait is likely the most popular in today’s jig market. Examples are the Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Southern Pro Stinger Shad and Strike King Lightning Shad.

Minnow imitator: These have a more realistic minnow look. Minnow profiles vary, with some having a side-to-side motion and rapid vibration. Examples: Bobby Garland Slab Hunt’R; Z-Man Micro Fry-Z Smelt; Northland Mimic Minnow.

Curly tails & paddle tails: These baits excel when casting or pulling. They work with vertical presentations, but their design gives the best movement when coming through the water. The paddle tail creates good vibration. The curly tail has a circular motion that causes vibration and generates a lot of visual attention. Key techniques are casting, pulling (trolling) jigs and power trolling. Examples include the Brewer Crappie Slider Grub, Crappie Magnet Tiny Dancer and Slab Curly, Garland Stroll’R, Kalin’s Triple Threat and Southern Pro Hot Grubs.

Tube jigs, tentacle tails: Southern Pro has made tube jigs for over 50 years. They worked then and work today. The hollow body with tentacle tails is a classic design that provides lots of tail action when vertically jigged. Today, there are plenty options including the Southern Pro Lil’ Hustler, Southern Pro Umbrella, Z-Man TRD TubeZ, Big Bite Tubes, Brushpile Diver, and MidSouth Super Jig.

Flat tails: A flat, long tail provides a slower fall. The overall profile of the bait is great in muddy-stained waters. These baits have a slow fall and create more water displacement, so it’s easier for fish to feel and find the bait. Examples include the Redneck Rubber Beaver Bottom and Muddy Water bait.

Creature baits: Creature baits are big in bass fishing, but they are not consistent for catching crappies. There can be good in some situations, but they often fail to entice crappies.

Hybrid tails: There are unlimited bait designs. A stinger tail may have a bulb or tiny paddle. Curly tails can be thin or fat. You must try a bait to know if it works for you.

Technique vs. jig action choices

• Jigging: try a single tail jig, grub, tube jig, or baby shad.

• Shooting: use a minnow imitation, grub, tube, or flat tail.

• Pitching: any style of jig tail.

• Jig & float: use a minnow imitation, grub, tube jig, flat tail.

• Slow trolling/spider rigging: try a single tail jig, minnow imitation, grub, flat tail, or tube.

• Cast/retrieve: curly tail and paddle tail

• Pulling/fast trolling/pushing: use curly tails and paddle tails.

Jig action, size, profile and color are important when using jigs. Be wise when changing jigs so you match the right jig with crappie aggressiveness. It will likely require some experimenting to find the perfect match, but that’s part of the fun of fishing.