Forget the live bait and dig out the small soft plastics for springtime panfish—especially crappies. Don’t get me wrong—live bait is deadly on all accounts when it comes to any fishing; but plastics are far more efficient in putting numbers of fish in the boat quickly.

There are multiple downfalls to using live bait for shallow, spring panfish. One is that small minnows used as bait (typically under a float) will almost always entangle themselves into the cover (such as weed stalks or brush) that you’re placing your bait near or in. Of course, the minnow can be anchored with a split shot or jighead, but then some of the luster of the bait’s action in lost.

Another downfall, after each caught fish or a missed strike, is the need for fresh bait. Digging in a minnow bucket and re-baiting every five minutes is not efficient and wastes valuable fish catching time—especially if the fish are hot. If there are three or four anglers in the boat, this wasted time adds up fast! This is where small plastics come into play.

I prefer Berkley Gulp or Berkley PowerBait due to the scent, softness, and natural colors of the baits. There are a ton of styles to choose from. Just keep it natural, simple and 2 1/2 inches long or shorter in length. I like to rig the plastics “wacky worm” style. Grab a number 6, red Gamakatsu Octopus hook and place it right through the middle of the bait so it hangs horizontal like a real minnow swims. I personally like plastics rigged this way that have a curly tail of some kind, so as it is drifting along or being twitched, it has swimming characteristics. Fish the presentation as you would any live bait presentation.

It’s about that simple. Give it a try on your next fishing trip, and don’t be afraid to break all the rules—because there are no rules in fishing!