I agree with S H. He doesn't slay the crappie, but he sure gives the yellow perch hell. I really don't know that about the crappie because the few times I've been in the same river with him he has been yellow perch fishing. Now with my BS out of the way, I do agree about using both jigs and minnows and once in a while just minnows. If you will notice, most of the people that use just jigs are fishing lakes and I am convinced that makes a big difference. PanMan fishes Beaverdam resevoir a lot with just artificial baits and does very well doing it. I've been up there a few times and we did well using out standard jig/minnow rigs. Maybe there is a way to fish our local rivers with just jigs and I just don't know how to do it. One exception is beetle spins. I have caught crappie with them while casting to the bank and slowing retrieving.
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va