Jigs work! They will catch crappie, bluegill, bass, trout, etc. If there's a universal lure, it's the jig.
My basic technique: 1/32 oz. white or chartreuse marabou and chenille jig, 4lb. line and UL spinning outfit. Cast the jig out, count it down to the desired depth, and bring it back with a slow, steady retrieve. Change depths till you get hits.
A great book to learn jig fishing is "Charlie Brewer on Slider Fishing" by the late, great Charlie Brewer:
http://www.fishingworld.com/Slider/D...ackle&SKU=Book
Although Charlie's talking mostly about bass and his slider worm, the technique is the same. There's a lot of jig fishing wisdom in that little book.