Tube Jigs or plain hook and minnow?

What do you crappie guys use in the early Spring on the river backwaters to catch crappies? Do you fish more live bait on plain hook and minnow or do you use a tube jig and minnow or just plain tube jig under a slip bobber? Are their any tube colors that you would recomend and maybe what jig size works best for you. I know thats alot of questions but I really lack information on catching these river crappies. Thanks Rick

Hey Rick,

I use all tube jigs for crappies. Just make sure if you are fishing early use a light weight 1/32 possibly…..it all depends. There is no needs messin’ with live bait. Other than that……no big preferences on color really. Hope I could help.

Chad

Chad, Thanks for the reply, I guess I’ll have to spend more time trying the tubes,without any meat Thanks again Rick;

I use yellow, white or pink jigs of with chenille bodies and tails of hair, bucktail or marabou. 1/16, 1/32 oz. Larger jigs seem to catch larger crappies.

Thanks for the reply Jeff but just 1 question are you guys fishing these tubes under a slip bobber or casting these crappie jigs? Thanks Rick::::

Bigjigger:

I fish jigs for crappies below a bobber because, I believe, it keeps it in their strike zone longer. I can pop it and let it pause, wounded-minnow style. This works for me because I’m often fishing from shore. But drift fishing in a boat, vertical tight-lining, also has worked for me. And over deep suspended fish, casting a jig has worked.

Now, I’m about to go out and do some of that bobber-jig fishing from shore! The crappies have really turned on in the past week, but today I’m focusing on those pre-spawn bluegills.

Small 1 inch twister tails under a bobber will work fine too. I agree, the bobber is really nice for keeping the bait in the strike zone to catch more fish. Just make sure you don’t use too big of a bobber as you want the fish to be able to pull the bobber under easily.
Thanks, Bill

Thanks for the input on plastics guys I’M going to give them a try on Wed. if it’s not to windy but I still think I’ll bring some minnows along just for good Luck Thanks Rick>>>>>>>

well nothing on the plastics guys but caught 2- small bass with the minnow,but I still think the water temp. is still a little bit to cool I still want to try some plastic with warmer temps. maybe this weekend. good fishing to all!!!!!!!