Wondering what size hook for Crappie is best to use so you not only land the fish, but don’t end up with your fish throwing the hook?
Size 4. Hands down!
Size 4 Hooks are what I always use when chasing Crappie and I’ve caught plenty with them. If you are using minnows as bait you may want to increase this a little to a Size 2 hook as it makes it easier to bait up the minnows. But other than that size 4 is my go to hook size for Crappie fishing.
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The Best Size Hook for Crappie
My favorite size hook for crappie is size 4, but some days I just can’t get my hands on them. Either I’ve snagged them all and had to cut the line or I’m out fishing with a buddy who has one of those generic type tackle boxes (you know the ones) that has everything you can think of except what you really need.
So if you’ve run out of size 4 hooks in your tackle box, the next best hook sizes for Crappie are size 2 (on the larger side) and size 6 (on the smaller side). The smallest size I recommend using is size 8, anything smaller than that and you’re going to have some trouble setting your hook.
We’re not out here to catch (Crappie) fingerlings!
Crappie are sensitive little darlings and if they see a hook they get scared. So keep it light weight.
Get you hands on some light-wire hooks and bend the hook out a bit before you get started to give yourself some more room for your bait. It’s best to use hooks that have a bit of bend in them.
What type of hooks can you use for Crappie?
My favorite type of hook for Crappie is the Aberdeen hook. Size 4 of course!
Eagle Claw are the best brand for hooks so I always try and grab my Aberdeen hooks from them.
Aberdeen hooks have a long shank so that it’s a piece of cake to get the hook out of the mouth of the Crappie.
They are also lightweight and flexible enough so you can bend the hook out a bit and give yourself a chance of hooking a biting Crappie.
There’s not too much science to it. Bend it out a touch, open up that gap! Too narrow and it’ll slide right out of the fish’s mouth.
I find gold color hooks work best but sometimes the fish just don’t go for them. So I always keep red hooks handy as well to change it up. If gold hooks are working then stick with them. If not, throw a red hook on and try your luck.
If there was a single hook that did the job every time we would all be using it and nothing else!
Crappie Hooks for Minnows
When fishing minnows for Crappie the size of the minnows will determine the size hook you need to use.
It’s pretty simple.
- If you’re fishing with small minnows use a Size 6 hook
- If you’re using medium sized minnows use a Size 4 hook
- If you have larger minnows then put on a Size 2 hook
You really need to be using a thin hook when fishing minnows. They’re only small little things as it is and if you are trying to bait up on a big hook you will end up mangling the minnow.
And more than likely losing the bait when you cast!
Light-wire hooks are a must if fishing with minnows.
To put the minnow on the hook thread it up through the bottom lip and out through the nose. It takes a bit of practice but once you’ve done it a couple of times you’ll be sweet.
Circle Hooks for Crappie
If you find yourself having issues with gut hooking your Crappie you may want to consider using Circle Hooks instead so you aren’t hitting those poor fish so deep.
Circle hooks come with their own issues though when fishing Crappie. They can be super sensitive fish so I only recommend using Circle Hooks if you run into the gut hook problem.
When crappie feel the slightest pressure in their mouth they tend to exhale hard to spit out whatever is in there.
This works good for the fish, but not so good for the fisherman!
If you do use circle hooks go ahead and throw on a long leader to keep the line as under the radar as possible. I like to use a Size 2 Gold Circle Hook when trying out this method.
And if you are out there slow trolling for crappie, then it can be worth a try throwing on a circle hook too.
Give it a go!
The Last Cast
So to clarify what size hook for Crappie you should be using:
- The best size hook for Crappie is Size 4
- Size 2 hooks and Size 6 hooks can be used if you can’t get your hands on a Size 4
- Aberdeen hooks have a long shank that make it easier to land Crappie and you should use them when you can
- Gold hooks are my favorite to use on Crappie but Red color hooks are a good alternative if you aren’t having any luck with the Gold
Have you had success landing Crappie using a different hook size?
Let me know what hooks you’ve found most useful in the comments below.
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