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There are so many different types of fishing hooks out there it can be difficult to narrow down just one for crappie fishing. If you’re using minnows there are some key traits you want to have in your hooks. In a nutshell, the best hooks for crappie are sharp, light-wire, and have a long shank. The best sizes are usually #2, #4, or #6.
Keep it Sharp
Any fishing hook you use should be sharp. It needs to pierce the minnow with ease and pierce a crappie’s mouth with ease. You can drag the hook on your fingernail to check if it’s sharp. If it leaves a scratch in your nail, it’s sharp. If it doesn’t, sharpen it or toss it and find a sharper hook.
The Perfect Size
#2, #4, or #6 (biggest to smallest) are the most common hook sizes for crappie fishing. You can go outside of this range if using really small or really large minnows but chances are you’ll catch more fish if you stick in the middle.
Use Light-Wire
Using light-wire (bendable) hooks is important for three reasons:
- You will kill less minnows if you use a thinner hook
- Thin hooks are harder for crappie to see
- Thin hooks will bend and free up more easily if you get snagged
Use a Long Shank
Having a long shanked hook means you’ll be able to more easily get the hook out of the fish’s mouth, especially if it’s swallowed.
Go Aberdeen
Luckily, the Aberdeen style hook has all these traits combined into one great hook. Popular brands that make Aberdeen hooks include Mustad, Eagle Claw and Tru-Turn. This hook is one of the best hooks for crappie fishing and is used by many seasoned pros:
“Instead of the big gold minnow hooks most crappie anglers use, I prefer No. 6 light-wire Aberdeen cricket hooks because they allow me to fish brush with fewer hang-ups. Snagged cricket hooks also will straighten on the 8-pound line I use without disturbing my brush piles, and they allow me to use smaller minnows, which often are more effective than large minnows.” —Jerry Blake, Action Fishing Trips
“I prefer No. 6 Aberdeen cricket hooks and No. 1, 1/ 0 and 2/ 0 gold Aberdeen minnow hooks. I keep several dozen of each size, mostly thin wire models that do the least damage to fragile minnows and will bend enough to free from snags when fishing brush.” – Sutton, Keith. The Crappie Fishing Handbook: Tackles, Lures, Bait, Cooking, Tips, Tactics, and Techniques
Give it a Slight Bend
Bend open the tip of the hook about 10° to increase your success rate when setting the hook. Often times this can make all the difference when you know the crappie are biting but you can’t land them.
The Right Hook and Lures
1) Mustad Hooks
If the classic silver or gold hook color is not producing the results you’d like, try switching to red. Many crappie anglers believe red hooks make the best hooks for crappie. Most popular brands will sell Aberdeen hooks in red. Mustad hooks are a solid choice.
2) Fishing Hooks 150 Count
This Fishing Hook set comprises of 150 hooks of 3 popular styles, each for different types of fishes. There are 45 Octopus Suicide Offset Hooks; 15 each of size 4, size 2, and size 10. Along with Octopus Suicide Offset Hooks, there are 60 Barbed Bait Holder Offset Hooks of 4 different sizes and 45 Aberdeen Long Shank Offset Hooks. This hook set is ideal for fishermen having an interest in different species of fishes including Bass, Trout, Panfish, Walleye, Perch, Catfish, and others. These are made with the finest steel and can be used for a long time.
3) LotFancy 30 Piece Fishing Lures
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The LotFancy 30 Piece Fishing Lures is a complete fishing hook set that is ideally designed to attract big fish. These hooks have the shape of a fish with 3D eyes that can trick even the smartest fish in the sea that the bait is real. Big fish will think of it as prey and will try to eat it. The vibrant colors attract the big fish and you get to capture them. All the hooks come in different sizes ranging from 1.57 to 3.66 inches. Made with PVC plastic and stainless steel, this hook set also comes with a 1-year money back warranty. However, you don’t have the option to choose the colors and the shape as they come in random.
4) Eagle Claw Aberdeen Rotating Hook
Eagle Claw Aberdeen Rotating Hook is something ideal to capture Trout and smaller fish. These hooks are made with stainless steel and that is the reason why rust cannot affect it at all. It just weighs 4.8 ounces and can rotate in the water. Eagle Claw hooks come in two color variants; Platinum Black and Gold. These hooks are specially designed for the hunters of small fish and have the traditional design.
5) 500 Pieces Small Size Black Fishhook Freshwater Fishing Hooks Set
Hooks come in different sizes and it can become a bane to get them all at the same time. Not anymore, the 500 pieces small size black fish hook freshwater fishing hooks set gives you the complete collection of fishing hooks. The hooks in the set have different sizes ranging from size 3 to size 12. The hooks are made with the finest quality of steel and can capture different species of freshwater fish. The hooks come with a plastic box having different sections for different sizes of hooks. This is a must-have collection for fishermen.
6) Lazer Sharp Crappie Lightwire Non-Offset Fishing Hook
The Lazer Sharp Crappie Lightwire Non-Offset Fishing Hook is specially designed for stream fishing. Having a fine edge, this hook can capture the fish in a flash without letting go. The vibrant color attracts different fishes and makes you capture more of them with ease. The stainless steel makes them safe from rust and damage. Although they are lightweight, it is nearly impossible to twist them.Be it trout or catfish, you can capture them without any hassle.
7) Gamakatsu Crappie Hook
Comes in a package of 15 hooks per pack, this hook has three edges especially made to catch crappie. Each pack includes 3 hooks each of green, red, black, blue, and bronze. Using this hook, you can easily capture crappie fish along with other types of hooks. Made with stainless steel, the hooks can last a lifetime without the need of buying another one.
8) Plano Hook and Sinker Organizer Box
This hook organizer box gives complete control to organize the different sizes of hooks in the same box. The locking technology keeps the hooks from getting disorganized and falling off. You can organize different tackles for pinfish, crappie, and walleye. This box is something every fisherman should have. The solid plastic is unbreakable and keeps the hooks safe.
Conclusion
When fishing with minnows, the best hooks for crappie are sharp, light-wire, and have a long shank. The best sizes are #2, #4, or #6. All of these characteristics can be had with the Aberdeen style hook. If you get a lot of bites but can’t hook them, try sizing up the hook or opening the hook up slightly. Lastly, give red colored hooks a try. They can be more enticing to a crappie than the standard gold and silver. Get out on the water and give these tips a try and you’ll be reeling in your limit!