The Crappie Minnow school: Rigging Minnows For Crappie Fishing

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

Crappie Minnow Setups

Crappie are a very curious species of fish and they love to attack schools of minnows to satisfy their amazing live bait appetite. The following crappie fishing technique will create a small, tight little group of minnows, each one with a hook in it. If fished properly this small group of minnows can be amazingly successful, and a very productive way of filling your fish basket.

You must get a good rod and reel combo the reel being a small spin cast Variety that accepts 4 to 6lb dia. Test line. The rod needs to be over 8ft long preferably 10ft plus. I personally use a set up that consist of a small spin cast reel that is rated for 6lb test line. The reel is loaded with a braided :fireline that is rated for 10lb test but has a dia. of 4lb test line. My rod is a two piece fly rod 12ft long that I purchased from bass pro shop.

Steps To Success The “Crappie Minnow” Rigging Technique

Step#1 Get yourself (3) three small three way swivels that work for crappie fishing.

Step#2 Get yourself some 3 small spinner blades 6 beads. They make excellent crappie minnow baits.

Step#3 You will need to find some bass or egg sinkers that are 1/4oz. You can find them at any department store fishing tackle area or any local bait shop.

Step#4 Get yourself some 10lb test fire line, this will have the dia. Of 4lb test, now load your spin cast reel.

Step#5 Cut (3) 16” inch pieces of fire line use a Palomar knot to tie on a no1,1/0,2/0 gold Aberdeen crappie hook to each piece of line on one end only. The length needs to end up at approximately 12 inches.

Step#6 Cut (3) 8” inch pieces of fire line, do not tie anything on them at this time. These pieces will be used for spacing between each 3 way swivel, and leader.

Step#7 Release enough fire line out of your rod and reel combo and run it through the eyelets on your rod. Make sure you have enough line extending past the eyelets to work comfortably when you are tying on your crappie fishing rig tackle.

Step#8 Now orient your first three way swivel so when you tie the top eyelet to your fire line there is a second eyelet approximate 90degs located on the left hand side.

Step#9 Pick up one of the 12” leaders you made in step 5 and slide one bead up the line. Next slide one of the spinner blades up the line behind the first bead. Next, Slide another bead up the line behind the spinner blade. Now, tie the end of the leader without the hook to the free eyelet on the 3 way swivel that is on the left side 90degrees from the top.

Step#10 Tie one end of the 8” pieces of fire line you cut in step 6 to the bottom eyelet of the first 3 way swivel, then tie the other end of the line two your second 3 way swivel. Make sure the open eyelet that is 90degrees from the top on the second 3 way swivel is located on the right hand side. After your tying is done, you want to end up with approximately 6” of space between the first and second eyelet.

Step#11 Round up (2) of the beads and (1) of the spinner blades from step five, and slide one bead up the 12” inch leader and then slide on a spinner blade spinner blade. Next slide a second bead up the 12” leader behind the spinner blade. Now tie the end opposite the Aberdeen gold crappie hook. And tie it to the 90deg eyelet that is on the right hand side.

Step#12 Now pick up one of your 8” connecting pieces of fire line and tie one end to last remaining open eyelet of the second three way swivel , then tie the other end to the top eyelet of the third three way swivel, but make sure the open eyelet 90degs from the top is on the right hand side before you tie. When you have completed the tying process you should have approximately 6 inches between the two eyelets.

Step#13 Pick up the last 12” leader you made in step 5 and slide one bead up the line. Next slide one of the spinner blades up the line behind the first bead. Next, Slide another bead up the line behind the spinner blade. Now, tie the end of the leader without the hook to the free eyelet on the third 3 way swivel that is on the right side 90degrees from the top.

Step#14 Tie one end of the 8” pieces of fire line you cut in step 6 to the bottom eyelet of the third 3 way swivel, then tie the other end of the line too your 1/4oz egg or bass sinker. After your tying is done, you want to end up with approximately 6” of space between the third 3 way swivel and the sinker.

You have Now Completed your crappie fishing live bait rig! Good Job!