Best Crappie Ice Fishing Lures: Expert Picks for Every Condition

By: FishUSA Staff

November 29, 2024

Ice fishing for crappie can be incredibly fun and rewarding, but using the right lures is essential to maximize your success. Crappie can be finicky, especially in colder temperatures, so choosing lures that entice them to bite is key. Below, we explore some of the best crappie ice fishing lures, with insights on how to use them effectively.

VMC Tungsten Wax Tail Jigs

Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe Mini Lipless Crankbait

Rapala Jigging Rap

Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Raps

Lunkerhunt Spade Grub Bait Jar

Strike King Mr. Crappie Lightning Shad Soft Bait

Clam CPT Niku Bolt Minnow

Rapala Nano Rap Jigging Lure

Little Atom Nuggies

Lindy Rattl'n Flyer Jigging Spoon

Northland UV Forage Minnow Jigging Spoon

VMC Tungsten Wax Tail Jigs

The VMC Tungsten Wax Tail Jig is a heavy yet compact jig that gets down quickly, perfect for targeting deeper crappie. The wax tail mimics natural prey, making it irresistible.

I find that this jig excels when crappie are holding close to the bottom. Its fast sink rate allows me to get it in front of the fish quickly, and the subtle movement of the wax tail often triggers bites even from hesitant crappie. Perfect for both aggressive and neutral fish.

Buy VMC Tungsten Wax Tail Jigs

Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe Lipless Crankbait

The Yo-Zuri Rattl’N Vibe Mini Lipless Crankbait is a compact, fast-sinking lure that excels on the ice, giving anglers a high-performance option for tempting finicky winter fish like panfish, walleye, and bass. Its small profile and lively drop action make it especially effective when fish are sluggish, while the proven Rattl’n Vibe design and bold color patterns help trigger strikes even in low-light or pressured conditions.

Buy Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe Mini Lipless Crankbait

Rapala Jigging Rap

The Rapala Jigging Rap has been a staple in ice fishing for years due to its balanced, darting action. It works well for various species, including crappie.

I appreciate the versatility of this lure. It has a great darting motion that can be fished aggressively to trigger reaction strikes, or more subtly to entice finicky crappie. I usually tip it with a wax worm to increase its appeal, and it’s been a reliable performer in my tackle box.

Buy Rapala Jigging Rap

Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Raps

The Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Rap produces loud, vibrating action that attracts crappie from a great distance.

I use this lure when crappie are holding in deeper water or around structure. Its small, compact design allows it to get down quickly, and the vibration helps bring fish in from a distance. It's perfect for fishing during active feeding windows.

Buy Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Raps

Lunkerhunt Spade Grub Bait Jar

The Lunkerhunt Spade Grub is a soft plastic that mimics small, soft-bodied prey. It’s versatile and can be fished on its own or added to other lures.

The subtle tail movement on these grubs is fantastic, and crappie just can’t resist it. I like to rig it on a small jig head, and it’s especially effective when fish are picky. It’s also durable, so I don’t have to worry about constantly changing baits.

Buy Lunkerhunt Spade Grub Bait Jar

Strike King Mr. Crappie Lightning Shad Soft Bait

Strike King Mr. Crappie Lightning Shad is an excellent soft plastic bait for crappie as well as other panfish. The Lightning Shad features a standard shad style body with a slender tapered tail. The body offers an excellent baitfish profile while the tail offers great movement when jigged. This is a terrific combination for triggering strikes.

Buy Strike King Mr. Crappie Lightning Shad Soft Bait

Clam CPT Niku Bolt Minnow

The Clam CPT Niku Bolt Minnow delivers lifelike action in a compact design, ideal for targeting perch, sunfish, crappie, and trout. This 1-inch plastic ice fishing bait mimics small prey with its ribbed body and forked tail, making the minnow bait perfect for finesse presentations. Infused with a freshwater shrimp scent, it attracts fish in colder waters. Available in a range of colors, including glow-in-the-dark options, this Clam Pro Tackle bait is effective in low-light or deep water conditions. Built from soft yet durable plastic, the Niku Bolt Minnow pairs well with Clam's Drop Series tungsten jigs for reliable results.

Buy Clam CPT Niku Bolt Minnow

Rapala Nano Rap Jigging Lure

The Rapala Nano Rap Jigging Lure gives panfish and trout anglers a micro-profile bait that triggers strikes while vertical jigging in lakes, ponds, or through the ice. Its finesse-rocking design and weight-forward, rattling body create a subtle vibration on the rise and a natural side-to-side glide on the fall. At 1/16 oz. and rigged with a No. 14 hook, the Nano Rap offers a variable running depth, making it an effective choice for crappie, bluegill, and trout when fish demand a downsized presentation.

Buy Rapala Nano Rap Jigging Lure

Little Atom Nuggies

The Little Atom Nuggies are soft plastics that excel at mimicking the subtle movements of live bait. They are easy to rig and versatile enough for various ice fishing techniques.

These are my go-to for a subtle presentation. The Nuggies work best when crappie are being picky and need a more delicate lure to coax them into biting. They’re also effective when tipped with a small piece of bait for added scent.

Buy Little Atom Nuggies

Lindy Rattl'n Flyer Jigging Spoon

The Lindy Rattl'n Flyer Jigging Spoon features a non-lead alloy construction providing perfect weight balance. This spoon is light enough to shimmer, dance, dart, or fly, yet heavy enough for the feel and downward momentum that skilled spooners prefer. All Rattl'n Flyer Spoons feature a holographic foil finish with a lifelike baitfish scale pattern and irresistible eyes that glow in the dark when charged with a small glow light.

Buy Lindy Rattl'n Flyer Jigging Spoon

Northland UV Forage Minnow Jigging Spoon

The Northland UV Forage Minnow Jigging Spoon is known for its reflective, UV-coated finish that enhances visibility. It’s an excellent choice for deeper water or low-light conditions.

I often reach for this spoon during dawn or dusk, when light is low and crappie are harder to spot. The UV finish catches even the faintest light, making it easy for fish to locate. It’s effective for a range of jigging styles, and I’ve found that adding a minnow head can increase my success rate.

Buy Northland UV Forage Minnow Jigging Spoon

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer subtle plastics or aggressive jigging spoons, there’s a crappie ice fishing lure out there for every situation. Each of the lures on this list offers unique advantages, so consider adding a few to your tackle box this winter. By experimenting with different presentations, you’ll be able to find what works best and catch more crappie on the ice.

Shop Ice Fishing Gear

Ice Fishing Lures & Bait

Ice Fishing Rods

Ice Fishing Reels

Ice Fishing Line