If you plan on going live bait fishing on a regular basis for crappie it is a good idea to stock your tackle box with only the tackle you will need to make your crappie live bait fishing rigs. If you plan on only fishing crappie minnows than your tackle box may be quite small. But if plan on tipping artificial crappie jigs and spinners then you're your tackle box and size will be much bigger.
To start with if you plan on fishing for crappie with a live bait such as small fathead crappie minnows then you will need a nice assortment of crappie Aberdeen gold hooks ranging in size from number 4 through number 1. Have at least 10 of each on hand. If you plan on fishing larger crappie minnows such as shiners then you will need 1/0 to 2/0 Aberdeen gold hooks. Again keep a minimum of 10 each on hand.
You will need a variety of crappie fishing bobbers that are designed to fish at a certain depth. You will need small fixed depth bobbers, I use a Styrofoam bobber that slides on your line and then you put a small wooden stick at the top of the bobber to keep the line from sliding through. You can move the bobber up and down the line you need to remove the stick first, then replace it once you are at your desired depth.
Or if you are fishing suspended crappies at deeper depths you will need an assortment of slip bobbers. Slip bobbers come in a assortment of different sizes and shapes. One of my favorite types for suspended crappie is a pencil shaped slip bobber. Make sure you size your slip bobber to the size of the live bait you plan on fishing with, and the sinker size you intend to use. If you are fishing deep water you will need more weight to get you bait down to the desired depth quickly. As a result you will need a larger slip bobber. You want your slip bobber to just barely stay afloat with your live bait and sinker attached so you you can notice the very slightest of crappie hits. You also do not want the crappies to feel any line resistance when they take your live bait presentation.
If you plan on fishing for crappies with any crappie jigs that you plan on tipping with live bait then you will need at least a selection different plain jigs in various sizes, from 1/64 ounce to 1/16 ounce. Have at least a quantity of 5 each of the different sizes. You will be able to cast the smaller jigs if you add a bobber.
You also will need to keep a spool of 4 to 8 pound test line in your tackle box for situations were you are fishing with ultra light crappie fishing tackle. You should also have a spool of 15lb test line in case you find an area to fish heavy brush or weed cover. It better to bend your Aberdeen hooks then break your line in these situations. A good quick fishing knot to use when you are crappie fishing is the Palomar knot. And this knot works well for any test line you will use.
Another very useful piece of crappie fishing tackle that works great for brushy or thick weed areas is the safety pin spinner and you should have a t least an assortment of 5 each in your tackle box. They are easy to use and assemble directly your existing crappie jigs. They not only ad some flash to your crappie live bait presentation but they also make your crappie fishing rig weedless. The safety pin spinner bait is also a good way to get the crappies attention on a slow fishing day. Remove any plastic from your jig and slide on a fathead crappie minnow and let the spinner bait do its work.
Well folks that concludes our article about crappie live bait fishing tackle. We sincerely hope you use our fishing information on your next fishing trip Good Luck!
Check out Mark's website to get some amazing fishing information and fishing articles loaded with fishing tips about crappie live bait that really work!
We Have Something Special Just For You, Check Out A Secret Weapon For Crappie Fishing My Friend Discovered In 2004 Check It Out Here!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Fleagle