I prefer vertical jigging. That's where you get on top of the fish using a boat or dock and drop your jigs straight down. Most Jiggers I know start at the bottom and work their way up. I like to start at the top and work my way down. It doesn't make much difference, except that crappie tend to strike up more than down. So I drop mine in a couple feet deep; fish a few minutes, and if I don't get a bite I drop a couple more feet.

If you're fishing from the bank, you'll want to learn about slip corking. Most of the technique is in the rigging. Once you figure out how you like your rig, fishing it is pretty easy.

I like soft plastic jigs, 'cause you can buy them with salt/scent already impregnated. My personal favorite are Bobby Garland jigs made by Gene Larew, but they're not availible in all areas. Yum brand is all over the country, and their jigs are really good too. I like hooks larger than most crappie fishermen; I find that I convert more strikes into fish using larger hooks. So get some jigheads from 1/32-1/8th oz w/the largest hooks you can find. I wouldn't go heavier than 1/8th unless you're trolling.