Jig Size for Crappies

[titanxt]

I have used minnows all my life for catching crappies. I would like to try a few jigs, but I do not have any experience. What weight jig head should I use? What length Mr. Twister (or similiar) plastic worm/jig/grub? Is 3" too big? Thanks!!!

[Jigboy]

I long line troll and use jigs all the time. I start the year out in February and early March when the fish are still deep with jigs that weigh 1/16oz. I troll very, very slow. They are usually running about 10 12 feet deep. As the fish come up, the size goes down. Once they get ready to start staging up on the flats getting ready to come in and spawn, I switch to my 1/24oz jigs. They are usually in the 5 to 7 feet range. As the water warms and the spawn comes in, and they move shallow and in the middle of the stump fields, I may switch to a 1/36 oz jig.

The big thing is, this is all under perfect conditions. Example: I once fished over top of a point that came out from a bank. I trolled across and caught like three or four right in a row. It was cloudy out and the fish were sitting right on top of the point. Clouds pulled out and the fish dropped off to both sides of the point and I had to switch to a heavier jig to them in deeper water. Temperature, sun, and I guess moon dust will effect what you have to do. Good luck.

[badbrad]

I use a 3/32 teezur jig head most of the time. If I'm fishing deeper or big winds I switch to a big head jig. Caught lots of fish on both. If I'm casting I usually stick with 1/16th.

[Waylonh]

you could literally fish a 1/16 all year round. Depth can be controlled by adding rigs that contain split shots or sinkers. I think the color has more to do with catch rate than the size of a jig.