Big Crappie Lures

Lately I have found myself with a bit of cabin fever. Since the mowing season is up and the cold weather has iced over all the lakes, the only thing I can think of doing is to watch crappie fishing shows. I know, great way to blow through a day. So, I go to Youtube. As I scroll though all the online shows I notice most of them are in MS, TX, AL, KY, etc - southern states. And these guys are catching some big crappie. When they unhook the fish I noticed they are using some big lures and some were big dual color lures like black/chart, black/pink, blue/white, etc. Show after show they tell you where they are at, how they plan on fishing, but stay mum on what they are fishing with. Only one of hosts lets on that he was using a 4" crappie tube. A 4" CRAPPIE TUBE?! Well now, I have to find out who sells these baits. So I start my search. I figure the best place to start is go online...NADA! I then head over to the big sporting good stores Bass Pro, Cabela's...NYET! Then as a last resort I try the local stores Roger's, Minnesota Bait Shop...NIENTE! These lures must be the Chupacabra of crappie baits. The only larger, dual colored crappie lure I found was a 2.5" from Strike King. So my crappie aficionados, do any of you know of these legendary lures and who sells them?

Sounds like a bass tube. I caught some nice crappie fishing smallmouth with bass tube baits on Lake Vermillion in north Minisoda.

Monks Crappie out of NC sells 3", biggest I've found. They sell Kalin's Triple Threat 3" Slim Grubs and Monk's 3" Minnow

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the "size" of the tubes they were using. Why you ask ?? Well, there's been several times I've been told that a lake local was catching fish on 3" twin curly tail grubs (or similar sized baits of other styles), and then fish with a 1/16oz marabou Road Runner or jig/plastic and caught the same sized fish (from the same general area, or even the exact same place) as the lake local was catching on his "bigger" baits.

Now, I have no doubts that 3-4" baits will catch Crappie, and in fact I've done it myself (4" plastic craw) .... but, I've caught Crappie just as big, way more often, using baits in the 1.5" - 2" lengths. And a buddy of mine, that Spider Rigs, uses a jighead with plastics around 2" & tips the jighead with a large minnow ( ~2") ... and still catches dinks as often as he does keepers. :Doh: Then there's the crank trollers, using large baits ... and they're catching fish of all sizes (some not much bigger than the crank !!) ... and I'm fishing the same area with jigs & catching fish of the same size ranges.

But, like peculiarmike says ... you're likely talking about "Bass tubes" ... so if you're still interested in trying tubes of that size, just do a search (Google/Bing/Yahoo/whatever) for Bass flipping tubes and then click on the "Images" button. Check out what comes up & when you see a picture of the tubes that interest you ... click on the picture & then on the "Visit" button to take you to their website.

There's a time and place where big baits will shine. But in my experience it's a small window. And you can usually catch them on smaller jigs just as good. Also keep in mind some anglers are so good they can make any bait look like the best bait ever.

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FWIW Not tubes, but I have watched a few times as Jeff Williams and Mark McGuire (sp) caught specks out of dirty water (perhaps Grand Lake) with 4" Fle Fly Crappie Kickers.

Bobby Garland Slab Slayer in 3in. size.

If you just have to have a 4 in tube in crappie color's it's going to be a custom pour. I fish a lot of big baits down here and biggest I find on the shelf is 3 in and those are mostly slab slayers. Do fish some 3 in curly tail walleye baits from bass pro. Snake River on here is a sponsor and pours some really nice baits. Get in touch with him. He can pour you just about anything you want in any color combo you can think of. And he is as cheap as over the counter. I have some 2 in solid head tubes he poured for me that are fantastic big baits. More like 2 1/2 and bulky. About big as you need on a regular basis. And we catch big fish down here.

98% of the time the smallest bait I will use is a 2 1/2" and fish up to 4" baits. I would fish larger baits like 4 1/2" big diameter bass tubes if they made them in dual colored combos. But I fish in the dirtiest part of any lake I fish. The last two months or more the shad on the upper end of my lake have been 3 1/2" to 4 1/2" long and well over a inch tall. So why go little when what they are eating is 3 times the size of a 1 1/2" Southern Pro tube. My absolute favorite and most used bait is a 3 1/2" bait made by Mike Coffey custom baits in Bolivar. It is abut the same size diameter as a 3" Bobby Garland Slab Slayer. His baits are the chupacabra because there are next to impossible to get for most guys. I am lucky enough for him to call me a friend and pro staff for him and a couple other friends. I have cashed checks and won tournaments from February to October using very large baits and sometimes even tipping large baits with a pretty good size minnow. I know there are times that a smaller 2" bait would put more fish in the boat for me but I could care less about numbers most of the time but still put a fair amount of fish in the boat doing what I do. Every bait I use is a dual colored bait and I also always use a third color for the jig head. Which is always Orange unless I am fishing a Orange and Chart colored bait. Then I will go with a Hot Pink jig head. Don't be afraid to try the big baits for big fish. You may even be amazed that you will more times than not catch more numbers than the guy in the boat with you that is using a 1 1/2" tube. I have seen a big bait out fish a small bait to many times in numbers and the quality of fish to ever go back to tying on a small bait. Confidence in what you are doing is what catches fish no matter what your confidence bait is. Mine just happens to be a Orange 3/16 oz weed less head with a 3 1/2" Mike Coffey custom bait in Silver Glitter/Chart.

Here is a few baits I use.

My favorite color combo.
Attachment 285465
Attachment 285466
Black with a real bright Chart tail. Just a touch of Red flake in the Black.
Attachment 285467
This will show the sizes. Small 2 1/2" and biggest is 3 1/2". The middle one is right at 3" but bigger around and has beaver type tail that splits.
Attachment 285468


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You said Chupacabra

Those are sweet baits Jared!


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Jared, that's what the host said. Using a larger baits not only has a better presentation but also weeds out the smaller fish. But, I had a small bluegill hit that 3" carrot jig bait. The only thing he was able to get in the mouth was the hook.

3 inch slab slayer black and yellow my go to. Honestly by what size shad I have seen in their stomachs that is way too small.

This shad was taken from the stomach of a crappie that was not all that big.

Attachment 285578

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I too like a big bait,I pour my own from Jacob Baits .It's a 3 1/4 frayed tail (triple ripple)and have had great success with it.Also when a crappie hits a big bait,you know it,I guess they are trying to kill it.LOLand also I have caught fish that wasn't much bigger than the lure.It depends on how much faith you have in your bait if it will work.Good luck to you all.

Oh yeah,I use a 3 in carrot stick bait

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VfAjyca6QN8

I've seen them in the walleye section at cabelas.

So most of you guys (at least those replying) don't do much downsizing in winter I take it? I don't myself. Just curious.

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Originally Posted by TeeDee

So most of you guys (at least those replying) don't do much downsizing in winter I take it? I don't myself. Just curious.

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Actually I use even bigger baits in Fall and Winter. Shad are at their largest this time of year. November all the shad we seen flipping were 3 1/2"-4" long. I used a 3 1/2" Mike Coffey bait to out fish several guys in my boat pretty bad a few of them until they would finally put the "that's to big of a bait" they said before hand on their jig head. Then they would start catching fish. We still caught a bunch of short fish on them to.


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My favorite large bait is the Lindy Watsit grub. The make them in 4 sizes but what makes the large on so great is they are only 2 inches long but they are larger in diameter than most crappie baits. They are about the diameter of a mans thumb. I also like the Arkie XL pro model tubes. They are 2.5 inches long and have a larger profile than normal crappie tubes. The Bobby Garland Slab Docktr is also a large bait for crappie. I have never used one but they do look promising.

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Originally Posted by Jigging15

Actually I use even bigger baits in Fall and Winter. Shad are at their largest this time of year. November all the shad we seen flipping were 3 1/2"-4" long. I used a 3 1/2" Mike Coffey bait to out fish several guys in my boat pretty bad a few of them until they would finally put the "that's to big of a bait" they said before hand on their jig head. Then they would start catching fish. We still caught a bunch of short fish on them to.


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I am in agreement. Kinda figured that all the 'young of the year' was either grown up or eaten up. I use what I tie nowadays, and I tie 2" minimum, closer to 2 1/2--3. It's what I use year round now. Even bream get after it. Thanks

Went to Roger's bass and walleye section like suggested. I did see a couple large baits in different color patterns. Berkley Ripple Shads and Charley Brewer Sliders.

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Originally Posted by APKape

Went to Roger's bass and walleye section like suggested. I did see a couple large baits in different color patterns. Berkley Ripple Shads and Charley Brewer Sliders.

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You need to take a look at Bobby Garland 3" Slab Slayer's, Muddy Water carrot style bait and Redneck Rubber beaver tail baits. Some of the more popular "big" baits available with out finding someone to custom pour.


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Originally Posted by Jigging15

You need to take a look at Bobby Garland 3" Slab Slayer's, Muddy Water carrot style bait and Redneck Rubber beaver tail baits. Some of the more popular "big" baits available with out finding someone to custom pour.


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Jared, I checked out the lures you suggested over the web. Found some of those lures at your local Everharts. They have a good variety of larger lures with multiple colors. When the water opens down there I will stop in and to pick up my season's worth of jigs. Thanks for the suggestion.

Top secret jigs co has some nice stuff need to check out the site. Topsecretjigs.com

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Originally Posted by Crappiekey6

Top secret jigs co has some nice stuff need to check out the site. Topsecretjigs.com

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I am getting the Top Secret jigs to carry at the store. They make some nice big baits.


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