NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Hang around a gaggle of crappie fishermen for a little while and the subject of jig colors will arise. What is the best crappie-jig color? What color catches the biggest crappie?

Slab crappies are meat eaters—sure enough minnow munchers. They take artificials well at times, especially jigs—but big crappie will turn their noses at even the best of the best crappie lures.

In the south Crappie are already pushed up shallow and other parts of the country aren’t far behind. That means it’s time to tie on a jig and head to your favorite brush pile. If you need a new rod, ...