Keith Lusher 11.04.24
Here in South Louisiana, Shrimp lures are a major seller when it comes to artificial baits. From speckled trout to largemouth bass, there always seems to be a plethora of shrimp lures to choose from for targeting these species in the marsh where live shrimp are prominent.
But what about a shrimp lure for catching crappie? Since crappie are found primarily in freshwater, the thought of targeting them with shrimp isn’t exactly at the top of the average crappie fisherman’s list.
I made a trip with Kyle Metzler of Pearl River, LA, to the East Pearl River, where I was introduced to an artificial shrimp lure specifically made to target crappie. It’s called the Iddy Biddy Shrimp, and it’s made by The Crappie Psychic. Metzler is probably one of the biggest artificial shrimp anglers in the state. His story is a unique one as he started competing in bass fishing tournaments on the local rivers and winning using artificial shrimp lures. As Metzger fished with the lures more, he also learned how the crappie love the lures as well. He did a little research and found a shrimp lure that is made for crappie fishing. “I went into the local bait shop and spotted them on the shelf and tried them out,” he said. “After one trip, I was sold!
On my latest trip, I was able to try out the Iddy Biddy Shrimp. Metger and I were fishing the marsh at the eastern end of the East Pearl River. The area is known for its fantastic bass fishing and crappie fishing. After tucking up into a side canal where the water was flowing hard because of a hard falling tide, we began to jig down in 12 feet of water. I was fishing with a typical crappie tube jig and Metger was using the Iddy Biddy Shrimp. It didn’t take long before Metzger set the hook and slung a 10-inch crappie in the boat. As we continued to fish, he put more fish in the boat. He turned to me and asked me several times if I wanted a shrimp like he was using. After watching him put his fifth fish in the boat I gave in.
The Iddy Bitty Shrimp comes in two weights, 1/32 oz and 1/16 oz. I was using a 1/16 oz, and after dropping the shrimp down, I learned that it was a soft faller, meaning it didn’t cut straight down like most jigs. It had enough bristles on the body to catch the current and sink slowly. The tail is also longer than a normal crappie jig so that it imitates a shrimp tail. The crappie loved this as I let the current take the shrimp and watched for a “tick” in the line, signaling a bite. That bite came on my third cast as I watched the line jump right.
I set the hook and slung another 10-incher in the boat. After that, I was sold on the bait just like Metger.
I studied the shrimp as it sank, and I have to say my favorite thing about it is the enlarged eyes that protrude out of the head of the shrimp. This looks lifelike and I’m pretty sure there isn’t a crappie in that river that has seen an artificial jig like this one. I was thoroughly impressed by the Crappie Psychic’s hand-tied jigs and highly recommend the Iddy Bitty Shrimp to those crappie fishermen looking for a little variety in the tackle box. Metzger and I finished the day with over 20 crappie but more importantly, I added a new lure to my crappie fishing arsenal. One that I’m sure will catch loads of crappie for years to come!
