The favorite bait for Crappie fishing are minnows, worms, and insects. Like a lot of fishing, keep an eye on your local bugs and pick a bait that replicates them as closely as possible. Just about anything will get their attention, which is one of the reasons they are so popular. Crickets are a popular and easily found bait for crappie. If you are using minnows you want them to be as fresh as possible. Dead minnows lose their scent and may not be the attractant you are hoping for. There are also plenty of artificial baits and lures available such as the one below. Anything that mimics their normal, natural bait will work.