Product Buzz

Crappie Products Buzz

by Tim Huffman

Bait-Pop: Live Imaging Sonar Intensifier

Like all products in this company’s long history, Bait-Pop provides a scent to help attract and entice crappie. Any fisherman can use this paste to get more hits. While Bait-Pop has great scent, it was primarily developed for live-imaging sonar (LIS) users. The paste “intensifies” the visibility of a bait on any forward-facing sonar. One of the keys of live sonar is to see your bait so you can position it over the head of a crappie. Bait-Pop helps reflect the live imaging signal allowing it to be more prominent on the LIS screen. The better you can see your bait, the more fish you will catch. Bait-Pop comes in a 0.5-ounce tube with a MSRP of $21.99. www.theoriginalfishformula.com

Sniping Braid – Set the Hook LLC

You may do well to pair your Bait-Pop with the Sniping Braid line-up , also unique because it focuses on live-imaging sonar technology. The lines are smooth for easy pitching and casting. The diameter is a critical element with each pound-test line being the smallest possible while maintaining strength. The Meteor 12-pound-test, 8-strand line is only 0.15mm. It will work anywhere in all types of cover. Crappie anglers might prefer the smaller diameter 10-pound Optimal that is strong enough for most situations and will land any crappie. 12-pound, 125 yard spool, MSRP $13.99. www.snipingbraid.com

Handtied Crappie Jigs – Wager Baits

Ross Wager’s handtied jigs are becoming popular as word spreads about their effectiveness and quality. The jigs are handtied using a variety of quality materials. Wager says, “There are too many variables to say when a crappie will hit plastic or hair, but there are days when a crappie will eat a hair jig and they won’t touch plastic, so it’s best to have both. My favorite color is Midnight Party, a black with some flash and holograph flash. Two other popular crappie colors are Bluegrass and Ghost. I have 50 colors but I also do custom orders. A handtied jig is expensive, but it will last longer than other jigs and you don’t have to mess with it all the time.” 1/32- to 1/8-ounce. MSRP $2.99. www.wagerbaits.com/crappiejigs

2-inch Hammer Brushpile Jigs

“Our customers wanted baits that were a little harder than most plastics so it would last longer and not have to be replaced so often,” says owner Lee Sharp. “Our baits have a smooth texture and we have UV injected into the tails so they glow. We have 15 colors in 1-inch and 40 colors in other sizes. You’ll see we picked the brightest chartreuse and pink colors you can find, and we have UV along with some translucent with glitter. We have a variety of bait body styles, but our 2-inch Hammer works anywhere in the country and it has a cylinder-style body. It’s great for casting but is versatile to use with any technique, making it a good all-around bait.” 18 count pkg, MSRP $3.25.  www.brushpilejig.com