Crappie are becoming more wary in open water this time of year. They’ve moved beyond spawning bays to deeper points, humps, and rock reefs where spawning is occurring.

Trolling crankbaits provides an effective and efficient method for quickly covering large areas, while simultaneously monitoring your sonar to study structure, baitfish, depth changes, and any other clues. Furthermore, trolling allows a unique fishing style and often yields plenty of crappie!

1. Strike King Mr. Crappie Lightning Shad

Crappie anglers need a variety of crankbaits in their tackle box, and the Strike King Mr. Crappie Lightning Shad is an ideal addition. The 2-inch baitfish-profile soft plastic features an eye-catching tapered tail which quivers and moves unlike any other lure on the market – captivating any nearby crappies and drawing them in for more action. Developed in collaboration with Wally Marshall (otherwise known as Mr. Crappie), this crankbait can be found in 10 colors from his favorite slab-slapper colors palette!

Johnson Fishing engineers designed their crankbaits with these requirements in mind – quickly diving, holding depth, provoking strike movements at either slow or fast speeds and quickly or slowly initiating strike movements at either speed – as the cornerstone of its success. To meet them successfully they set out on creating something similar to threadfin shad, which serves as the primary prey species of crappie fisheries.

Once the new crankbait was designed and created, it was sent out for field testing with professional anglers to collect results for tabulation before final adjustments could be made and released onto the market. These testing phases are essential in ensuring overall performance of any bait product and must be undertaken by every manufacturer.

While initial tests results were promising, these lures still require further adjustments in order to maximize performance even further. One such improvement involves using more durable paint jobs which will keep their colors brighter for longer as well as be resistant to the rough conditions often found on bodies of water.

Another change that is being implemented involves adding a stronger, more durable hook that will better support heavy use and sharp teeth. Furthermore, the company may consider incorporating glow-in-the-dark elements to increase visibility during murky or low light conditions.

Trolling with crankbaits is an efficient and effective way to cover large areas quickly while gathering information about a lake’s structure, baitfish populations and depth changes quickly. The key is finding the appropriate lure and trolling technique that complements it in each situation – for instance during spawn time it’s best to employ slow trolling techniques while post spawn and early fall fishing may call for faster trolling speeds.

2. Berkley Flicker Shad

Flicker Shad was developed by professionals for use by tournament anglers, featuring an action that mimics fleeing baitfish. Tournament results show it can get fish biting quickly in various fishing conditions and depths, making it the perfect crankbait for crappie fishing. Available in various colors that mimic common crappie forage colors and featuring a durable tail propeller which won’t melt in your tackle box; plus precision balance to provide optimal action at all speeds, the Flicker Shad has proven its effectiveness time after time.

This crankbait features sharp Fusion 19 hooks, as well as being available in an assortment of “match the hatch” colors to draw fish in and lure them in for strikes. Infused with scent to attract crappie and other gamefish into striking, the Berkley Flicker Shad can also be trolled or cast and retrieved around cover for top water action!

Justin Lucas Pro Tip: The Flicker Shad is an ideal option when fishing shallow cover. Cast and retrieve it around all types of cover from calm to choppy waters for topwater action or slow trolling for explosive topwater action. With its weight transfer system allowing bullet-like casts and being individually tank tested prior to shipment, you’re guaranteed a success right out of the package.

3. Rapala Shad Rap

Crappie anglers know that crank baits are an efficient way to catch their limit of tasty crappie, and one of the top models available today is Rapala Shad Rap. Resembling baitfish species targeted by crappie, this lure features super-sharp VMC treble hooks to ensure perfect performance from start to finish. Plus, hand tuning and tank testing is conducted to guarantee its optimal performance right out of the box!

The Shad Rap offers classic fish-catching action that is irresistible to crappie and other predatory species, such as bass. The lip design reflects sunlight to increase flash, while its wobbling tail-kicking action adds further attraction. Constructed of durable abachi wood for added resilience against big predators and featuring an efficient metallic lip to minimize resistance when being pulled through water, its irresistible attraction draws predatory species like crappie to it time after time.

Shad Raps are designed for any fishing condition and depth. Their shallow-diving action of Lip Ribs works effectively in waters less than 10 feet deep; and can even be fished in deeper running position imitating wounded shads with its jointed body capable of creating aggressive slashing motions or subtle wobbles.

Rapala Shad Rap lures are versatile yet simple to fish. Casts like a bullet and comes equipped with a rattle for more lifelike sound and vibration to the action of this lure. Additionally, their high-impact plastic bodies contain a holographic foil insert which captures light to flash it back at you in an iridescent glow!

Rapala Shad Rap can be used in many different ways to catch crappie, from fishing on a jig and drop shot to trolling for slow moving crappie. Trolling has proven particularly effective during pre-spawn or post-spawn periods; indeed Tommy Skarlis and Kyle Steinfeldt won the 2013 Crappie Masters National Championship by trolling Berkley Flicker Shads; this strategy can be equally successful on slab crappie as well as many other species.

4. Berkley Flicker Shad Crank

The Berkley Flicker Shad is an extremely effective crankbait designed specifically to target crappie. Featuring an irresistibly natural action resembling fleeing baitfish and available in multiple sizes to meet hatching needs, its captivating “Flicker” action and Mustad Ultra Point hooks ensure it will capture their attention and lure them in!

One of the primary goals in creating this crankbait was to mimic its threadfin shad prey, the favorite meal for crappie. This goal was accomplished using multiple design elements like eyes, gill plates and markings as well as colors which closely resemble those found on real threadfin shad.

Another key advantage of the Flicker Shad is its versatility: it can perform at a range of speeds while maintaining optimal depth, which is especially useful when fishing for crappie who often remain sluggish after spawning and will only respond to slow, steady movements. You can fish it anywhere between 0.6 mph and 2.5 mph while maintaining ideal depth.

This crankbait is ideal for trolling, an increasingly effective technique in catching slab crappie. Tournament anglers such as Tommy Skarlis and Kyle Steinfeldt of Crappie Masters National Championship 2013 fame have utilized this tactic successfully with great results.

As such, this lure is well-suited to post-spawn and late summer/early fall fishing conditions when many anglers find success trolling for crappie. To maximize effectiveness pair it with a 1-ounce weight and 7-inch fluorocarbon leader. A shorter leader allows the bait to move more slowly while longer ones enable deeper trolling – so experiment until you find what length works for your conditions by trolling several baits in a boat and making adjustments as you go.

Other Similar Articles

• Catching Crappie With Crankbaits
• Fall Crappie Bait Selection Tips
• The Best Baits For Crappie Fishing
• Crappie Fishing Bait Color Guidelines
• Best Live Baits For Crappie Fishing
• Using Soft Baits and Plastics For Crappie

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