About jig weights and hook sizes

[Fatman]

I've always used size 4 and 2 in my crappie jigs, unless I want something smaller and use a smaller hook. Most of the molds will take the 2s and 4s ok.

[Sandwich Maker]

Don't sell the smaller hooks short, though. I bet 90% of the crappie I've caught in my life came on a 1/32 oz jig with a #6 hook.

For years now, I've tied all my jigs (1/16th and 1/8th) with a #4 sickle hook, but before I learned to tie I used to buy the ProLite jigs from Bass Pro. They are actually designed mostly for trout and go from 1/100th to 1/32 with tiny trout hooks and I caught a lot of crappie on them.

[crappiedoc]

Very seldom do I use the little stuff. Anything from 1/16-#2 or #4 up 1/4-#1 or 1/0, spoons even bigger all the way to 1/2oz in the fall. I've caught a lot of slabs walleye fishing and made a transition, 1 rod big, the other 'normal'. Don't sell those bucket mouth slabs short. I love to use a ZOOM Super Fkuke JR, bags 'em both, wally's and slabs. Come Sept around here those shads are 3"-5", that big bait won't intimidate a crappie, nor will a big slab spoon. Guys look at me like I'm nuts till it comes time to borrow one.

[Bronson]

Have you ever noticed you can catch a lot of crappie off your bluegill jigs supposedly long after the spring crappie bite has died down? I think there are times they want a small jig and using small hooks can actually be an advantage.

So far, #6 in an Eagle Claw 570 is as small as I've gone.

[Redman]

Guess that the old Redman is the odd man out. But it may be because the lake I fish 99% of the time is so shallow.We think 15 feet is deep water. Most of the water is 5 to 9 foot deep. I have caught more crappies on the smaller hooks 6 thur 10's that the Number 2 or 4's. Its MHO that the shallower the lake the smaller the jig that you can get by on. Bait fish will be of smaller profile and the crappies are more use to that size. The exception would be in the middle of the winter when it's very cold. They seem to like the bigger baits fished very slow. That's when I go to a kiptail jig 1/8 oz. number 2 Sickle and at that time of year I have been known to tip my jig with a minnow.

Redman

[bdorman]

We think 15 feet is deep water. Most of the water is 5 to 9 foot deep. I have caught more crappies on the smaller hooks 6 thur 10's that the Number 2 or 4's.
Redman

That's interesting because my lake is about the same depth. Like everything else, I guess I'll just try everything and see what works.

Many thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. More questions to come.