Well, doc, I prefer "hair" jigs over plastics because I just catch more crappie with them. And I tie them as well and that really does make the catch more gratifying, ESPECIALLY when I often catch MORE crappie with a marabou jig that I made 3 feet away from a fisherman using a minnow and another using a tube. But I also seem to have more confidence in my jigs than anything else, so perhaps that has something to do with my catch, although that's pure speculation. I never fish minnows. Why would I? I catch more with a jig, I don't have to mess with a bucket, stopping to buy minnows, and the rest of the process. So you should just give 'em a try. Don't move em to much, just a little. Try a crappie nibble. Jigs are less expensive as they are around until you either lose them or they fall apart. You have to buy a few dozen minners every time out.