Jim .... next time you fish a jig on docks/piers with those cross braces from Hades .... try using a weedless jighead. You'll get just as many bites, just as many hookups, but won't lose near as many jigs. And if you like bigger hooks than what jigheads on the shelf come with, we've got a few members that will custom pour jigheads with larger hooks. I use 1/32oz & 1/16oz weedless jigheads with #2 Aberdeen hooks in both, that I have custom poured. In fact, the only time I DON'T use a weedless jig is when I'm Pushing or trolling them.
And don't forget to try Vertical Casting on the deeper ends of those piers/docks, if the fish will allow you to get over top of them. Here's my article explaining what I mean :
Crappie Pappy Article