Can I get recommendations for entry level (meaning inexpensive) swimbaits that resemble crappie? I want to target some big bass I’ve seen following crappie I have pulled up. There is no shad forage in this reservoir (Virginia) but it also has yellow perch and bluegill. These might be thrown for Musky too. 
 

Unfortunately there is a lot of grass. I want to throw something with trebles and maybe articulated, but also thinking a big jig head style swimbaits might be less frustrating to throw? My plan is to pull this across the tops of weedbeds down 5’ to 15’. What would work good for this? 

6th Sense Masterclass soft top hook crappie is inexpensive version of Mattlure U2 Bluegill in Crappie.

Huddleston Delux top hook Bluegill in Crappie is on sale at TW for $10 can’t do better than that👍

Tom

Bucca Baby Bill Gill is inexpensive and pretty easy to work with. 

For a little more ($30), check out the Duo Realis Snappy Crappie. 

 

22 minutes ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Huddleston Delux top hook Bluegill in Crappie is on sale at TW for $10 can’t do better than that

I see it for $20?

Savage Gear - $14 Scroll down for the Crappie.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_Pulse_Tail_LB_Bluegill_Swimbaits_4/descpage-SGPTLBB.html

 

Would glidebaits work?

https://www.clydescranks.com/collections/clydes-crappie-patterned-baits?sort_by_desktop=best-selling&filter.p.product_type=Glidebait&sort_by_mobile=best-selling

Raid Hira Tailor on swimbait hook or underspin....or Texas rigged. Or Neko rigged.

 

BottomUp Gimmy

 

OSP SS Gill

 

Deps Bull Flat

 

Geecrack Bellows Gill could be considered also...but far less durable.

 

They look similar to a crappie even if they have "gill" in mind.

 

But if you want something that looks the closest in a plastic, check out the 6th Sense Panorama in Live Crappie

 

 

What is the difference between a swim bait and glide bait? Sorry, old school here and don’t buy a lot of new fancy baits. 

Glide baits have one joint, and are designed to move in a really wide lazy “S” pattern. 
 

Swimbaits have multiple joints and move in a more or less straight line while the tail wiggles.

 

 

On 8/30/2025 at 11:22 AM, wasabi_VA said:

I see it for $20?

Tackle Warehouse has it for $10

Pitching a Texas rigged Gilly into the grass could be deadly - just to add to your expenses.

savage gear's 3d/4d line thru swimbaits have been pretty good to me for "cheap gill/crappie imitators". i just took advantage of the tw sale and grabbed a few more for next season as well.
 
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_Live_3D_Bluegill_Line_Thru_Swimbait/descpage-SGLBG.html

These are the deal. I've got high end swimbaits, but these still get fish because they just get bit. All for less than one Vision 110 each. 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlab_Bio_Gill_Pro_Wakebait/descpage-BGPW.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlab_Bio_Gill_Pro_Glide_Bait/descpage-BGPG.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlab_Bio_Gill_Pro_Swimbait/descpage-FBGPS.html

26 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

These are the deal. I've got high end swimbaits, but these still get fish because they just get bit. All for less than one Vision 110 each. 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlab_Bio_Gill_Pro_Wakebait/descpage-BGPW.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlab_Bio_Gill_Pro_Glide_Bait/descpage-BGPG.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fishlab_Bio_Gill_Pro_Swimbait/descpage-FBGPS.html

 

All models/colors appear to be sold out.

 

Do you fish as is or do you swap the hooks or anything?

 

Hard to beat the price when you compare to other similar offerings.

 

BTW, I have a Clutch Eco coming this week that I'm super pumped for. 

54 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

All models/colors appear to be sold out.

 

Do you fish as is or do you swap the hooks or anything?

 

Hard to beat the price when you compare to other similar offerings.

 

BTW, I have a Clutch Eco coming this week that I'm super pumped for. 

Those are all the new Pro versions that were released at ICAST this year, so I think they just haven’t gotten any in stock yet. You might be able to find the older models for even cheaper with a little searching.

 

 I swapped the hooks, but the stock hooks aren’t bad.

 

The Eco is a great little bait. I’ve got a couple but I want a Baby Boss really bad, they’re just hard to get. My buddy have 3 and won’t sell me one 😢

5 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The Eco is a great little bait. I’ve got a couple but I want a Baby Boss really bad, they’re just hard to get. My buddy have 3 and won’t sell me one 😢

 

Yeah I've seen that on youtube, looks pretty cool. I need to sign up for the drop alerts.

 

I should also "admit" that I bought a Throwback Metro as well.   

 

Dang thing is so pretty I don't even want to fish it.

 

I'm going down a rabbit hole and my wife is NOT happy.   LOL