How do you catch surface feeding Crappie?

[WillCFish]

How do you catch surface feeding Crappies?
Many times I have been frustrated by surface feeding crappies.
What is the solution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGi09CoEDAA

[mikechell]

I think they've "cornered" a school of very small fry when you see this. They're too small to be seen skipping out of the water, but you see the crappie chasing them.
Use the smallest minnow imitations you can tie.
Or, pull a larger bait fish imitator through there so it looks like a small fish trying to snatch a meal. The crappie might go for it out of territoriality.

However ... many times it's not a school of crappie, but a school of tiny bass.

[mikechell]

If you don't fly fish ... then a 1 inch Rapala on a spinning rig.

[lilmule]

Somewhat depends on how large they are and what they are feeding on,not always a small bait.One I caught on a 1/2 oz buzzbait,half a doz on 1/2 oz spinnerbaits burned,another doz on small popr.Admittably the small rapala,rebel,bomber or similar is a good option.
Might add all ive caught on normal baits have been keepers over 10 in normally between 1 lb and 1lb 1/2.Also the 1/2 oz I use is a war eagle with a smaller than normal profile.

[Tavery5]

Zara Pup in bone white, has worked well on occasion. Shallow diving cranks run through the school, jigging spoons. Suspending fish can certainly be tough.

[OkobojiEagle]

Live and let live...


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