Jason Houser has some basic tips to get you started jigging for crappies.

Using any one of the different methods available, any time of the year is a great time for catching crappies. One of my favorite methods is dropping a jig vertically and feeling the bite of a crappie. To a crappie fisherman, it doesn’t get any better than that.

In order to be successful at jigging for crappies, you must have the right rod for the job. A graphite pole that is 10 to 12 feet is perfect. A 10-foot pole is good for thick cover. A 12-foot pole is ideal for reaching tough spots. With the added length comes added weight. What might not seem like a lot of weight in the beginning can become quite cumbersome before the day is over.

I learned while fishing for catfish at night the importance of high-visibility line. This also holds true when fishing for crappies. It is just as important to me to watch for a bite as to feel a bite. This is even more important when the fish are barely nibbling at the bait. Whether you choose braided or monofilament line is up to you. I have found braided line to be more sensitive to a bite and holds up better when fishing heavy cover.

Choosing a jig

Color and jig size combinations are endless. When choosing a jig, the first thing to consider is its weight. The heavier the jig, the quicker it falls, the more you feel it contact limbs, the bottom and the crappie’s mouth when it bites.

I use at least a 1/8-ounce jig when fishing deep water or on windy days. A heavy jig like this will not allow for a slow, natural fall that will trigger bites. However, you will need it in these conditions.

In water that is not considered either deep or shallow, or in shallow water on windy days, I will use a 1/16-ounce jig. On calm days in shallow water, I will go a little lighter.

When I started crappie fishing many years ago, I fished a red and white tube jig that was 1.5 inches long. Now, we have more sizes available.

People used to think that only a small bait would catch crappies. These days, it is believed in order to catch big crappies you must use big baits. Like most any other fish, the bigger the bait the bigger the fish you will catch. Keep using smaller jigs when the water you are fishing is known for small fish or if the bigger fish are sluggish.

What type of jig is best

Today, it is hard to say one type is better than another. I like to use a single-tail minnow, as it easily replicates the crappies favorite meal. Many companies have good hollow baits ranging in size from 2 to 3 inches.

I like to fish all depths of the water. When I fish this way, I will know if the crappie changes depths. This is achieved by dropping the jig to the bottom and using my free hand to pull the line away from the pole.

Fishing jigs vertically for crappies is a great way to spend the day fishing. Opportunities exist throughout the water. Concentrate your efforts on each deep, submerged brush pile or visible stump and stick-ups you come across. Do not spend too much time in one location. If you do not get a bite within a couple minutes, move on.

Are you new to crappie fishing? You’ll find lots of helpful information in the February issue of MidWest Outdoors, available now at the newsstand or by subscribing on our website.