Trolling Or Jigging For Crappie - What's Most Effective?

Hey Yall,

So we decided to do a little different method when crappie fishing today - we went trolling for Crappie! We generally get to the spot and jig for them but I'll tell you what trolling is super effective! What's your favorite way to target Crappie? Trolling, jigging or live bait!? 

Interesting, I have never intentionally trolled for Crappies, but have caught many nices ones when trolling for other fish.

I always troll between my crappie spots with a small chartreuse bettle spin. Never fails. When I get to where I am going I switch over to minnows under a Rocket bobber. Always produces.

What I do is start out trolling.  My main lure is a 1/32oz jig and a 2" power minnow with a split shot 18" up.  I'll usually rig up my wife with same, different color though, or a 1/16oz marabou jig.

Troll with the electric at .7 to .9

When the first crappie is in the boat, hit spotlock and cast the area.  Repeat until you hit the motherload.

We have used this system for a decade and actually cannot remember the last time we've used live bait for crappie.

Another bonus, that 2" power minnow will catch just about anything that swims.