Jig length vs. short strikes

I notice that some of the tied jigs pictured here have tails that extend well behind the hook. I wonder what experience those on this board have with short strikes on such jigs.

Wayne Eller, author of Crappie Fishing Secrets and Tips of a Game Warden (probably long out of print), made a science out of fishing home-tied marabou jigs (no chenille) for crappies, usually using a slow retrieve with no float. He used 1/32 oz. heads with #6 hooks. For him, the ideal jig length was 1 1/2" including the head; more than that, and he experienced too much short striking with his #6 jig hooks.

Now, I know that lots of you tie with bigger hooks than he used. He also fished mostly in Minnesota, where in most waters crappies don't average as large as they do in some Southern waters. So I'm asking about your experience with more than 1/2" of tied material (not soft plastic) extending past the hook bend on jigs that are pulled or retrieved (not hung beneath a float)--short strikes?

My go to hook size on 1/32 and 1/6 once heads is a #6 for crappies. I use marabou, craft fur and kip tail. As a general rule I try to keep the tail material extended 1/2 to 3/4 of a inch behind the hook. I get very few short strikes using the above tail materials.
Short strikes accrue during cold water temps most of the time.
Foot Note: When I use plastic tubes and get short strikes I shorten the tails and slow up my retrieve. I also got most of the short strikes using a twister tail. I could actually feel a bump,bump and then see the fish short striking the tail.

I have tied lots of long tail jigs, mostly to suit myself. I can always trim but I can't stretch. Trimming on an extreme angle doesn't give the chopped look that sometimes happens. Usually I tie them with tail no longer than the jighead itself with marabou, or twice the length of the naked head but try to stick to just behind the bend with hair. Been known to go a bit longer with very soft hair. Experiment and see what the fish say. Short strikes usually make me downsize and/or change color slightly.

In fly tying the general rule of thumb on tails is no longer than the length of the hook shank and I try to keep to that on my jigs also. But truthfully even the long ones I've never had a problem with short strikes.

I agree with Skeetbum tie longer and you can trim if needed. I like a bigger hook too.

Its all in a prefrence thing I think. An what you have confidence in. If there short striking it slow it down alittle. See if this wont help you

I have had some pretty ling tails and never had any trouble from a crappie and their big mouthy short striking. If I am hooking crappie just in the lips or badly getting a hook in them I change color and if I do this right they will eat it and get hooked more in the back of their mouths. SOme tails like Kip tail jigs usually are short anyway, plus like some said you can always down size if they are being picky which I think is the best option in that case.

always keep a pair of sissors in boat just for cutting back tails if needed, i seem to tie most of my tails long, you can always trim !

if a fish wants it they will find a way to eat it.