Best Crappie Lures for Summer Kayak Fishing

There's nothing quite like the tranquility and connection to nature that kayak fishing provides. Gliding through the water, probing brush piles, submerged trees, bridge pilings and docks in search of fish. Kayak fishing offers a unique opportunity to access prime fishing locations that may be unreachable by larger boats. Crappie fishing from a kayak can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all. As summer descends upon us and temperatures rise, crappie tend to move into deeper waters, making them more challenging to find & catch. But with the right lure, technique, and a little bit of patience, you can fill your cooler with slab crappie and impress your friends all at once. In this article, we'll be sharing the best crappie lures for the summer season, as well as expert tips to help you maximize your catch. Whether you're a seasoned crappie angler or just beginning to learn the craft of crappie fishing, these top picks and valuable insights will undoubtedly level up your crappie fishing game.

Let’s cover our picks for the best crappie lures for summer kayak fishing.

Crappie Magnet Tiny Dancer

The Crappie Magnet Tiny Dancer is a highly effective crappie lure that has become an angler favorite due to its lifelike action, irresistible color patterns, and versatile design. With its unique, undulating tail, this soft plastic lure mimics the movement of small baitfish, enticing crappie to strike even in the most challenging summer conditions. The Tiny Dancer's durable construction, paired with its compact size, allows it to be used in various fishing techniques, making it a versatile addition to any angler’s arsenal.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Lifelike action: The undulating tail mimics the natural swimming motion of baitfish, attracting crappie with its realistic movement.
• Irresistible color patterns: Available in a wide range of colors to match local bait fish or to stand out in different water conditions.
• Versatile design: Suitable for vertical jigging, casting, or trolling, making it adaptable to various fishing situations and techniques.
• Durable construction: Made from high-quality materials, ensuring a longer lifespan and more fish per lure.

Expert Tips for Using the Crappie Magnet Tiny Dancer:

• Match the hatch: Choose a color that closely resembles the local bait fish or prevalent forage in the area to increase your chances of attracting crappie.
• Vary your retrieval speed: Experiment with different retrieval speeds to determine what triggers a strike from the crappie. Sometimes a slow and steady retrieve works best, while other times, a more erratic action may be required.
• Use the appropriate jig head weight: Select the right jig head weight based on the depth and fishing technique to ensure the Tiny Dancer reaches the desired location in the water column.

Panfish Assassin Pro Tiny Shad

The Panfish Assassin Pro Tiny Shad is a popular crappie lure known for its incredible action, enticing scent, and large selection of vibrant color options. This soft plastic lure features a beefy body with a long tail that produces a subtle, quivering movement in the water, mimicking the swimming behavior of small baitfish. Infused with the potent "Bang Fish Attractant" scent, the Pro Tiny Shad is designed to trigger predatory instincts and coax even the most finicky crappie into biting.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Subtle, quivering action: Generates a lifelike swimming action that imitates the movement of small baitfish, luring crappie to strike.
• Scent-infused: Enhanced with "Bang Fish Attractant," making the lure more appealing to crappie through both sight and smell.
• Wide color selection: Offers a variety of vibrant color combinations, allowing anglers to tailor their lure choice to specific water conditions and crappie preferences.
• Soft, durable material: Constructed from high-quality soft plastic that withstands multiple catches without compromising performance.

Expert Tips for Using the Panfish Assassin Pro Tiny Shad:

• Choose the right color: Experiment with different color combinations to determine what works best in your local fishing spot. Consider water clarity and light conditions when selecting a color pattern.
• Apply additional scent: Reapply "Bang Fish Attractant" or another preferred fish attractant to maintain the lure's effectiveness throughout your fishing trip.
• Adjust your retrieve: Alter your retrieval technique to imitate the natural swimming motion of baitfish. A slow, steady retrieve can often yield the best results, but don't be afraid to mix it up.

Big Bite Baits Crappie Minnr

The Big Bite Baits Crappie Minnr has quickly become a favorite among crappie anglers due to its realistic design, enticing scent, and versatile application. This soft plastic lure features a plump body with a straight tail and overall slender profile, which effectively mimics the appearance and movement of small baitfish. With a wide variety of color options, this lure is suitable for various water conditions and crappie preferences.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Realistic design: The slender profile and split tail create a lifelike appearance and movement, imitating small baitfish and enticing crappie to strike.
• Wide color selection: Offers a variety of color combinations, allowing anglers to tailor their lure choice to specific water conditions and crappie preferences.
• Soft, durable material: Constructed from high-quality soft plastic that withstands multiple catches without compromising performance.

Expert Tips for Using the Big Bite Baits Crappie Minnr:

• Choose the right color: Experiment with different color combinations to determine what works best in your local fishing spot. Consider water clarity, light conditions, and local baitfish species when selecting a color pattern.
• Apply scent: Apply "Bite Juice" or another preferred fish attractant to enhance the lure's effectiveness throughout your fishing trip.
• Adjust your retrieve: Alter your retrieval technique to imitate the natural swimming motion of baitfish. Vary your retrieval speed and add pauses to make the Crappie Minnr more appealing to crappie.

Summer crappie fishing can be both challenging and rewarding, as crappie often change their location and behavior in response to rising water temperatures. To increase your chances of success, consider implementing these tips and tricks during your summer kayak fishing adventures:

• Locate productive structures: During the summer, crappie often congregate near submerged structures such as brush piles, weed beds, and fallen trees. Use a fish finder or mapping tools to locate these areas and target crappie more effectively.
• Fish at the right depth: As the water temperature rises, crappie tend to seek cooler waters. This may require fishing deeper than you would during other seasons. Monitor water temperature and adjust your fishing depth accordingly. The crappie bite will be best in water temperatures between 51 and 73 degrees fahrenheit.
• Experiment with lures and techniques: Don't be afraid to switch between different lures and techniques, such as jigging, casting, and trolling, to find out what works best for the day. Be willing to adapt and refine your approach based on what the crappie are responding to.
• Time your fishing trips wisely: Crappie are generally more active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Plan your fishing trips around these times to increase your chances of catching crappie.
• Observe local conditions: Keep an eye on local weather patterns and water conditions, as these factors can significantly impact crappie behavior. Stay up-to-date on local fishing reports and be prepared to adjust your strategy based on the latest information.
• Join a local fishing group: Kayak fishing is gaining popularity. Most areas have groups that organize kayak fishing trips. Search social media for kayak fishing groups and other kayak anglers from your area. This is a great way to learn which baits and lures are most effective and which areas produce well. 

By keeping these tips in mind, you can level up your summer crappie fishing game and fill your cooler with slab crappie just in time for those summer fish fries. Tight Lines & Full Coolers!