Originally Posted by
m2cool
I started off with live bait, then plastics, and then to my own hand tied jigs. I would recommend you start off with rigging live minnow on a jig until you get the feel of fishing with a jig. The presentation for a minnow/jig is similar to plastic/jig. Once you are successful fishing with minnow/jig, then replace with plastic/jig. Catching crappies with your own hand tied jigs is an indescribable feeling.
For older gents, watching your line might be difficult due to eyesight, reflection off the water, line size, sun, etc. For me, I finger my line and/or the pole. Since I don't always pay attention, I can feel the "tick" or the "thumb" with my fingers on the line/pole. Also, comes in handy when "feeling" for structures.