I’m in Gary’s camp with the Thump It and color.
For the last couple of years I’ve been finding that going a bit longer but staying with the narrow profile using the Keitec 2-1/2” Swing Impact in the June big/chartreuse has gotten better catch rates.
I think that regionally a lot of people catch more White Crappies and they have larger mouth structure so they use larger baits . Our northern tier Black Crappies have smaller mouths until they get into the 13” range but they still seem to prefer baits with a narrower profile.
On my last trip we had some sheet ice moving around on the 34 degree water and I caught crappies on the Keitecs but tied on one of the Big Boss ice baits on the 1/32 octopus hooks and got hit on the first cast. Given the water temp that was no surprise.
Late spring they late fall I am way more prone to playing with different bai sizes. Very early spring and very later fall I tend to start with that Thump-It and adjust as circumstances dictate bait size.
