Crappie fishing is often about the little details—the adjustments that do not always seem critical … until they are. That’s why seasoned pro anglers like Corey Thomas and Kris Mann lean on four essentials that can make or break a day on the water:
1. Color
2. Profile
3. Scent
4. Line Size
Nail these all, and you’ll fish with the kind of confidence that rewards itself in your livewell.
1. Small color adjustments matter big in crappie fishing
Color is usually the first thing we change—and sometimes the last thing that finally clicks. In clear water or on pressured fish, start natural (grays, baitfish tones) and add just a touch of contrast.
Why it matters: A small pop—like a chartreuse insert in an Eye Hole Jig—can turn followers into biters without making the presentation “too loud.”
Harold “Dude” Maddux catches crappie on any given day by paying attention to how the fish bites each color. “I start with the color I think they are going to eat, and if they don’t hit that, I go to the color I don’t think they are gonna eat,” Maddux said. “I keep changing colors until they are hitting quickly and taking it.”
“I told my wife one time: look in that tray,” he said. “In that tray, there were 21 different color baits. I told her that I changed my colors 21 times until I found the color they hit every time I dropped it on them. She did not believe me.”
He keeps changing his bait colors until he is getting the most aggressive bites and quickest reactions. That attention to small color details is why he has been such a successful crappie fisherman for so many years on Tennessee lakes.
How the gear helps with color:
- Tungsten Eyehole Jig: Sliding a Slab Bite into the Eye Hole jighead’s eye channel adds color contrast and scent retention.
- Trout Magnet and Crappie Magnet colors: having so many hues from natural shad patterns to high-vis bright contrasty colors, you can fine-tune in seconds.
Pro tip: When fish are watching but not committing, try keeping the head natural (gray/white) and let a small chartreuse accent color do the talking.
2. Profile is a deal breaker to crappie
Thomas and Mann both agree: profile trumps color. If the size/action is wrong, the perfect color won’t save you. Think in three simple size categories:
Small (≤ 1 1/4 inch): Trout Magnet, Popeye Jig — when fish key on tiny forage or microorganisms or you are in ultra‑clear water.
Medium (1 1/2 inch): Original Crappie Magnet, The Roo, Eyehole Hair Jig— your standard “every day” producers.
Large (2-3 inch): Slab Magnet, Hammer, Slab Curly — when they’re chasing aggressively, roaming in dirty water or you want to power fish and cover water.
Why it matters: Matching the “meal size” and action to the mood of the fish often unlocks the bite faster than any color swap can. It’s why you see guys not only changing colors but downsizing or upsizing and going to totally different types of baits like curly tails and hair jigs.
How the gear helps: We don’t make lures to just sell. We are building out a complete system of tools for anglers that allows you to make the adjustments you need to make fish bite better and faster. Sometimes that’s just a simple size and shape change. Sometimes that’s a color change. We continue to add to our lineup simply because the demand grows from our anglers for better answers to the problems they face on the water.
Pro tip: If you are getting followers without eats, change your profile first, then change your color.
3. Scent matters in crappie fishing
Scent is a confidence booster that quietly stacks the odds in your favor. While some may not hold scent in as high value as color, there’s never been a time where scent hurt your chances in crappie fishing. Even when crappie are neutral, a little attractant can be the nudge that turns lookers into eaters.
Why it matters: Scent can extend how long a fish holds your bait. That means more solid hook‑ups, especially on tough, cold, or post‑front days. It can also make fish bite quicker. You drop down on ‘em quick. It’s in their face and smells right, so they bite. We have had many times where scent sped up an already good bite and made it even better. It has also saved a tough day of fishing.
How the gear helps:
Eye Hole Jig: Purpose‑built to hold scent like Slab Bites and Slab Sav (or your favorite soft attractant) securely inside the head for longer‑lasting scent. These unique heads give you scent while keeping you fishing more than messing with your baits.
Slab Bites: Add both aroma and a hint of visual contrast (e.g., chartreuse Slab Bite in an orange Eye Hole jighead or translucent pocket of a Shonuff Roo).
Pro tip: Pair a natural body color with a bright scent insert for a “best of both worlds” presentation—subtle overall, with a precise focal point. This is one reason we added black slab bites to look more like the eye of a fish in a bright head.
4. Line size matters most in clear waters
Line diameter affects fall rate, visibility, and how lively your baits look. In ultra‑clear or heavily pressured scenarios, lighter lines can be the difference between a rejection and a bite.
Why it matters: Thinner line (e.g., 2 or 4-pound test for casting) keeps the presentation natural and helps small baits reach the target depth without extra hardware.
How the gear helps:
Tungsten Jigs (1/16 ounce weight with 1/32-ounce size): get down fast with a compact look—perfect for delicate presentations on light lines.
Our segmented soft plastics (e.g., Original Crappie Magnet, Tiny Dancer, Cross): You can shorten these lures easily by cutting segments off the head to tailor length and fall rates to your exact specifications.
Pro tip: Heavier line still has a place for dirty water, heavy cover and slower fall rates to keep the bait above shallow, suspended fish. So always let the conditions and mood of the fish choose your line size for you.
Build more confidence with every cast with options
At Leland’s Lures, we build tools that make the small adjustments easy to control for crappie anglers—so you’re prepared to change when it matters. From the scent‑holding Eye Hole jigs to the ultra‑versatile Crappie Magnet family of plastics paired with our scent solutions like Slab Bites and Slab Sav, our systems are designed to help you adapt quickly, fish naturally and put more crappie in the boat.
Focus on adjusting color, profile, scent and line size, and you’ll be more prepared for whatever the day and body of water throws at you—calm, confident, and ready to put a hurting on the crappie and sore lip ‘em all.
You can find all of our Crappie Magnet options here.
