Does it matter if jigs hang level or tail down?

[CrappieWhisperer]

Put me in the horizontal positioning crowd. I know it may not always matter but when I see a jig hangin tail down there is something wrong with that picture. Crappie may not be the smartest critters in the world but they have humbled me plenty of times. I always try to make my jigs as lifelike as possible. I go fishin to catch fish and if that takes a little extra effort I really don't mind.

[The Lip RIPPERS]

OK; I guess I take all jigheads for granted, by that I mean I use the Crappie Pro center balanced heads 90% of the time. Tell me a puzzling problem I cant seem to answer, how can a crappie knock the rod out of your hand then on the hookset NOTHING! Do they hit it headfirst? after 2 or 3 of those I'm changin the gameplan!

[Yates]

jig hang level...always...

[Bosman]

DEPENDS! Some days the crappie like a vertical presentation and yet on others they go for the more traditional horizontal. Some days I prefer a T-bone with a helping of American Fries. Other days I would much rather have a sauteed chickent breast with a Ceaser side salad.

[Sandwich Maker]

Thanks for the tip. I just did that. Larry says he's always used a loop knot, whether a jig is casted and retrieved or hanging below a bobber, so he doesn't have to worry about the knot getting stuck in the wrong position when pressure is applied.

The jigs he sells are center-balanced--that is, designed to hang level--something I like a lot; another nice thing is that he sells them unpainted in 1/24 oz., which is nice when you need some casting distance but a slower fall than you get from a 1/16. I ordered some last month, along with some Wasshoppas, and look forward to using them soon.

You did right by following Ripper's advice and talking to Larry. I've known him and done business with him for years. He knows of what he speaks and sells a good product line.

I'm a firm believer in the jig being horizontal. A loop knot will keep it that way, but it's also weaker than a Trilene or Palomar knot. Nearly any jig will hang flat in the water with a loop knot, in my experience anyway.

[slabbandit]

I use a loop knot all the time but this is because it is so simple to tie and the jigs that I use seem to set good in the water. Granted, it's not as strong as a Clinch knot or Palomar, I just can tie it quicker with out having to look at it so much while watching other poles ect.
I do use the 3/16 oz. Crappie Pro heads when I use the 2" Yum Beavertails and they work great with a loop knot.

[split handle]

This afternoon, bluegills and crappies absolutely would not hit my jig below a bobber unless it hung level. If I missed a fish (and I did frequently; some were grabbing the tail of the jig), the pull would move the knot forward, and it proved useless to try to tease a fish to hitting the jig until I reeled it in and moved the knot to the back of the eye for a level hang. The fish would hit the jig if the bobber was twitched or slowly reeled, but only if the knot was positioned for a level hang.

I'm not saying it always matters, but today it sure did.

[Cane Pole]

Makes no difference two me, weather I'm bobber fishing or jigging. Always a slow retrieve. I fish with nothing but tubes in 1&1/2inches long. Dosen't matter what color. I fish with two jigs all the time. Upper jig is on a loop knot. and twelve inches below is my bottom jig. 1/16oz. & 1/32oz. tube jig that I will catch most of my fish with. Crappie like a moving target-- Period. Out twice first time 75 fish second time 30 fish. Second my presentation was different than the firs trip. Bottom 38ft. Fish were suspend up at around 14ft. Used a slip bobber setup on second trip. Vertical fishing the first trip.

How come I catch crappie fish on dead minners under a bobber off my boat dock? Dead minners don't move much.

When I am vertical over a brush pile, I don't move my jig at all. Movement might hit a twig and spook the fishes. I do pretty good without movement.

[Hanr3]

i never paid attention to the orientation of the hook. i tie a #4 on, hook a waxworm or minnow and cast away. if the fish are biting i never have a problem catching them.

[shipahoy41]

Old Ship says hello.

I am glad that you cast a line to this forum and I also extend a welcome you on behalf of all the members. Welcome from Alabama. "Shipahoy and I'll see you on the water."
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If you are imitating minnows I recommend you use TRIPLE loop knots so they always hang level. Those are very strong and their knot breaking strength is as good as the Palomar knot. In the end it is what you have CONFIDENCE in yourself that affects the way you fiish. Have fun dadblabbit! When you think you are fishing slow, slow it down some more and then slow down it one more time. I promise you that if you are in the RIGHT LOCATION and at the RIGHT DEPTH and at the RIGHT TIME and with the RIGHT PRESENTATION and you have CONFIDENCE in what you are doing then you have moved the odds of catching crappies into your favor.