Starting Plastic tackel box?

[riverrat56]

I have a $25 gift card to Gander Mountian, what would you guys recommend for plastics and jigs if I am starting from scratch?

[CrappieAttitude]

I fish alot of different plastics for crappies and these are my go to baits.

2 inch Berkely Power minnows of various colors.

(1/32-1/16 oz. collarless jig heads)

1.5" tube jigs of various colors

2" Puddle Jumpers

CA

[markkstanley]

Micro shads from Exude are a must. White is my go to color but they all work. The Gulp minnows are good too if you can't find POwer Minnows. I buy the 3". You can shorten them without reducing the effectivness. My number one fav is Culprit paddletails but Gander doesn't carry them.

[gspman]

If you go with what the above 2 posters said you'll have a great start. Pay attention to using collarless jigs. They are the way to go.

You can go to walmart and buy a crappie/panfish starter 1.5" tube jig kit. They are a great way to start. Just make sure to throw away the el-cheapo lead jigs that come with the kit as they are terrible. They are designed to tear your tube quickly so you'll have to buy more. Use the collarless jigs as they are much much better.

I'd also get some Southern Pro Crappie Slugs. They are my favorite.

[CrappieAttitude]

Quote:

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I'd also get some Southern Pro Crappie Slugs. They are my favorite.

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I just picked up some of these yesterday at Fleet. They were in a clearence bin for $1. I thought they looked pretty good. I bought some albino ones, firetiger color, and a black/silver. I am intrested in trying them out.

CA

[gspman]

Let me know how they work for you. I love'em. They're kind of a do nothing bait but the little tail sticking straight out seems to have an appeal to panfish and they're chunky enough to keep the little guys from getting hooked too much.

[KidWalleye]

just about all I use are small mimic minnows and the smallest size slurpies. I have about 10 of each color and I do real well. I hardly use anything else. Thats where I would start.

[Borch]

To the above list I'd add the #6 Ratsos and #10 optic stealth wtih a nuggie. White and Chartrues are good colors.

[riverrat56]

Thanks for the help guys, does Gander carry any coller-less jigs? I know Senic Tackle has them otherwise.

[gspman]

Not sure if Gander carries collarless jigs but I know Cabelas does.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I havnt seen individual packages of collarless jigs less than 1/16 oz. in any Gander.

Berkley power nymphs are a good panfish plastic, too.

[Kyle Sandberg]

IMHO, Charlie Brewer Crappie Sliders are the sleeper plastics. The wobble of the tail will nab you a crappie every time, well, not really. But you do catch a ton.

[CrappieAttitude]

You should probably add a couple mini mites as well to the arsenal. They have proven themselves time and time again.

CA

[BrianF]

If you're into casting for crappies rather than the 'ol bobber thing, then I'm with K Dawg on this...Charlie Brewer crappie plastics. I like black or black/glow tail. Gander doesn't carry them though, so if you want some, you're looking at an on-line order. Match this up with 1/16th oz. black heads (collarless, but with a great wire 'keeper' and good hook) from BFishNTackle.com and you've got a killer combo. I sometimes feel like I'm obsessed with finding the 'best' jig/plastic combo for crappie and have put a lot of time and $'s into that pursuit, with lots of disappointments and wasted dollars. This is the best I've found so far. Put this in front of some craps and you won't be sorry.

Brian