Jig type/style/color

[eeker01]

I'm still working out my overall crappie attack style, so some opinions would be very welcome from guys who are able to get out there more than I. Like I tell my wife - "I fish a lot, but I don't catch a lot". I'm hoping to change that last part... LOL

Anyway, I hear a lot of folks say they like a certain type of jig (tube, marabou, etc). In general, which kind of jig, what color, style, weight, etc do you prefer? Is there a "go to standard" you use, or do you just play it by ear and hope you picked the right one before they stop biting? Does the water clarity make a big or small difference on which type you pick (other than color)?

This is, of course, in cases where live bait isn't practical for someone - I'm wondering what lures they would use and when/why.

Annnnnnnnnd go... :D

E

[deathb4disco]

A simple marabou and chenille jig is all you need.

[eeker01]

A simple marabou and chenille jig is all you need.

My dad and grandpa always used these on Lake of the Ozarks in MO. They always called them doll flies and almost exclusively used white on white. It sure made the tackle box simple.

[CrappiePappy]

Your Dad & Grandpa may well have been using the original "Doll Fly" !! (Polar Bear hair jig) Or your Dad may have simply called all hair jigs by the name (passed on by your Grandpa). I'm 68yo and the first jig I ever used was a White/White Doll Fly ... because that's what my Grandpa used, and what was the most popular & most available jig, at that time.

But ... to answer your question :

I prefer a 1/16oz weedless jighead (ball head, unpainted) w/#2 Aberdeen hook ... esp. for casting or jigging purposes. I add to that jighead a "stinger shad" style plastic body, in either a 1.5" or 2" length. Color preferences are blues, greens, purples, or pinks ... with a chartreuse tail or belly color.

Now, when it comes to the aforementioned "marabou/chenille" type of jig ... my preference is the 1/16oz Roadrunner ... in solid Chartreuse or solid Pink.

These are just my "current go-to baits", as I've had the most success with them in recent years. That's not to say that I don't use other styles/colors (with equal success), but just what has been the "most" successful styles/colors overall (for me, anyway). More often than not, my fishing partners will be using something different than me, to start with ... but, will "get like me" if I'm catching and they are not. And believe me ... if they are catching and I'm not, I will get like them in a heartbeat !!

[eeker01]

Reading this, I
'm wondering if I've been going too heavy. Almost all of the jigs I have bought are 1/8 or even 1/4 ounce. Fishing from the shore, that weight isn't easy to manage without snagging a lot.

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[Slowboat]

If you haven't already I would read up here on your exact questions. I've seen many posts on those topics.
In general you will want to have a shad imitation bait and dark and light colors usually with chartreuse combination.
But don't get hung up trying to change colors that much. If your not getting any bites you probably aren't on any fish. Work more on presentation and when you do get bit then start the color game.
1/4 is pretty heavy unless the lake is moving pretty good and you are fishing deep. You are more than likely not fishing slow enough. A lighter jig will help and give you more control as will using 6lb line. Heavy line will only loose your feel.
Next time stick with a dark/chartreuse jig. Or a Shad stinger or anything similar. 1/16 or 1/8 oz and work on getting the jig to do what you want. If you don't get anything in 30 minutes look around for different depth or cover.
Spending time on the water is the best thing. Learning what not to do as well as what works is usually only learned by hands on. If you are lucky enough to have someone show you the ropes as a guide would then that would be a quick effective learning experience.


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[deathb4disco]

Almost all of the jigs I have bought are 1/8 or even 1/4 ounce. Fishing from the shore, that weight isn't easy to manage without snagging a lot.

Lighter baits will help you. I mostly use 1/32 oz. (Occasionally, I will go to 1/16 oz.) I never go heavier than 4# line.

[eeker01]

Awesome info guys! Went out this morning with a 1/16 round head and a dark blue shad/grub looking jig (chartreuse tail) and caught 6 crappie and a wiper (all too small to keep, but best the best count for me at this lake, so far). One of the crappie was borderline 9-1/2 to 10", but I threw him back in.

The lure looks like this (Mr Crappie Slabalicious with a 1/16 oz head) - fished it about 10 feet deep - casted from the shore - reeled in really slow.

[Eagle 1]

the top six type baits I carry to single pole fish are on the last picture . be sure to include 4-8 lb. test line as well as 1/64 ---1/8 jigs .

[eeker01]

Holy crapballs Batman - that's a whole lotta jigs there! I tried to build a collection like that, but then the household monetary enforcement division (aka, my wife) started checking into my spending and introduced this evil thing called an allowance. Hahahaha