Jigging for Crappies

I have a decent set up of walleye rods, mostly medium light and a fair selection of crappie rods, mostly ultra lights. I prefer to be on the lighter side, where possible.

Jigging is not my strong-suit. All my crappie rods have bobbers on them.

I’m thinking about picking up a rod specifically to jig for crappies. The idea being it would be something different, and also hopefully help with my confidence jigging overall and translates over to walleye too.

So…… question is so I stick with an ultra light rod and just get something with higher-end sensitivity? Any other suggestions on the set up and including baits or jigging techniques for crappies?

For a cheap combo I would suggest the 13 fishing snitch decent combo. If you are willing to spend more the Tickle stick, widow maker, throne bros power noodle, quiverstick, tucr precision noodle or bull whip.

Small tungsten jigs, 1/12-1/8 spoons, slab raps, ultra lite Rippin’ Raps, Jiggin raps, small hair jigs

For bait I preferred spikes over waviest they tend to stay on longer

I would recommend a noodle type rod meant for fishing smaller jigs/plastics. There are days that the crappies prefer something smaller than a spoon or rippin rap

bigstorm wrote:

I would recommend a noodle type rod meant for fishing smaller jigs/plastics. There are days that the crappies prefer something smaller than a spoon or rippin rap

Definitely I was just giving other ideas. 75%+ of my crappie come from small tungsten jigs with spikes

nail down what baits you’ll be using, how deep you’ll be fishing, fishing outside or in a shack, and then you can better choose a rod to suit

I am also a firm believer in inline reels for small jigs. I tested it in the bathtub and they definitely help keep the bait still.

As for jigging technique i do bigger jigs until the fish come closer than I just dangle it above them

Indoor or outdoor rod? Or both? 32″ is a good all around. I really like some of the fiberglass blanks for my panfish rods. I usually order an UL Panfish blank to make these. They’ve got a really sensitive tip with a solid backbone. That with fly guides and a cork handle makes a great setup for crappies or bluegills!

I love my TUC power noodle rods. I would also not be without a Rod with a spring bobber on it. My current favorite is the clam Ice professional rod. Even the cheaper rod and reel combo with the spring bobber is a great value. There are days when the bite is so lite you will have a hard time seeing it on anything other than a good spring bibber. They also do a excellent job when it is a light lift type of bite ( Often with pressure crappies )

Indoor rod. It’s got to be a nice day, 20 degrees or more for me to hole hop much other than drilling and scanning with electronics.

Is a noodle rod basically a soft rod with a soft and sensitive tip? And do some guys use a spring bobber with these rods while others don’t?

Also, why do most of the high-end ice rods not have a reel slots? I have some like this, but prefer not using electrical tape on a nice cork handle. Kinda something I just don’t understand.

Real seat adds weight but some people can not live with out them. Use Rescue tape not hockey tape. Its rubber tape that only sticks to its self nothing else. Also if you want a sensitive pan fish jigging rod get a carbon blank way more sensitive then a glass noodle rod for feeling the bite.

One advantage to no reel seat is the rod/reel combo can be balanced easily by moving the reel. A reel seat forces placement of the reel in one spot.

lindyrig79 wrote:

Is a noodle rod basically a soft rod with a soft and sensitive tip? And do some guys use a spring bobber with these rods while others don’t?
Soft action throughout. The curve will extend from the tip to nearly the handle compared to a faster action where the curve extends from the tip to maybe the mid-point(ish).
I build all noodles for crappies, but various strengths. When crappies are real active, doesn’t matter much. But on days of a very soft bite or a “lift”, I want my tip partially loaded from the weight of my jig. That way if a crappie lifts the bait, I’ll see and feel the tip rise

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Cool, guess that all makes sense. Thanks guys

Don’t need to over think this, for jigging. As often all it is, is lifting and dropping lure.

You can basically still jig with a bobber set up, especially a slip bobber. All you want to do first is create some movement in your bait/lure to attract fish to bite.

Now getting to specifics in jigging, it depends on the lure you really want to use. These will vary from actual spoon type to jigs and then to use some jigging raps or even lipless cranks. In most situations, a carbon/graphite type of rod will be the preference. It’s easier to finesse with shorter type of rods like 24″ or less for most people.

You dont have to over think jigging. And you dont need the fanciest rod around. That 13 snitch is a pretty decent set up. Then grab a few small spoons and small tungstens tip with minnow heads and or waxies/ spikes and go jig above the Mark’s on your vex. Some days it takes 3 4 or more jigs to figure out what they want. Or if they want aggressive jigging or very subtle

I do jig my slip bobber rigs from time to time so I am familiar with that. I think I am going to look for that 13 Snitch rod and give it a try this weekend. It would be fun to ice some crappies using a different presentation.

Can’t find the Snitch at either Fleet Farm or Gander. Doh! And Fleet Farm already has 1/2 of their ice fishing stuff pulled off the shelves and water toys in it’s place! It’s still January people!!