Question about jig and lure size.

I've got a number of floating Rapala plug's that are 3" long. Thinking of trolling them behind the boat with enough weight out front to take them down a ways. Is a 3" plug to big? How about jigs? I prefer to fish with a light casting rod with a light level wind reel 6# line was as light as I could find around here but thinking I go into a bigger town 4# can be had. Haven't tried casting any jig head lighter than 1/4 oz with it and it does fine with that.Have 1/8th oz to use with a slip bobber and thinking a small split shot about 12" in front of the jig. Have a plastic bobber that's the smallest I could find and it cast's fine alone but wanting to use some small cork bobber's and don't think they will cast very well with lite jigs.

Thinking about trying for winter crappie here in Oregon. Probably be the only guy in the state trying it!

Don ... your idea with the floating Rapala is fine, and should work OK. As big as a Crappie's mouth is, even if the fish isn't much longer than the Rapala, that fish will try and grab a bait of that size. I know, because I've caught some Crappie no bigger than my hand on 300 series Bandit crankbaits :Rofl

Now, about using the baitcast reel (level wind) to cast jigs lighter than 1/4oz ... that's a problem. But, with added weight or a float, that might be doable ... but you'd just have to experiment with that idea, just to see how light a rig you CAN cast for any distance. You'd probably be better off to go and buy a inexpensive spinning rod/reel combo for light lure casting. Your 6# test mono will work fine on most any med sized spinning reel, but if you go Ultra-lite size on your reel, then you would definitely be better off with 4# test. :twocents

Thank you for the reply. The level wind cast's well with a small bobber. I have several light spinning reel's just like the level wind's best. Went first time for crappie last fall and took a light spinning outfit. First time I used one in years! Thanks again.

Just to second Crappie pappy and get yourself a cheap spinning reel and it will cast smaller stuff better. There's a lot of opinions out there but I can tell you a 1/16 jig head with a #4 or #2 hook is a very good starting point to crappie fish. I will cast it, cork it, or vertical jig a 1/16 jig head. A 3" bait will be just fine and don't be surprised if your bigger fish do come on that 3" plug. Good luck.

Spinning outfit handles light jigs much better. I can cast jigs as light as 1/80 oz.