Disco, you do bring up a good point about a lower percentage of fish swallowing the hook with a jig, and that's a very good reason to use one.
I'm with you, Wade - I never understood the whole tipping thing. A live bait will act much more naturally without being encumbered by a lure. As far as the baits I use, my two primary baits are red wigglers and crickets. Crickets can be deadly during the summertime, sometimes outfishing anything else; but they tend not to stay alive long underwater, whereas a red wiggler will stay alive thirty minutes or more underwater no problem.
Sometimes a whole nightcrawler works well on really big bluegill.
Disco, you do bring up a good point about a lower percentage of fish swallowing the hook with a jig, and that's a very good reason to use one.
I agree with the deep hooking idea....Big redears are the worst for swallowing a hook and worm in my opinion....I use nightcrawlers mostly if i'm going to buy the bait....crickets and grasshoppers work wonders though....i just catch these and let them meet their maker
Gander Mtn GSX.....Perception Pescador 12.....Shakespeare Contender
Use a loop of mono instead. Insert the loop through the eye of the needle. Poke the needle through the body and draw it through until a small loop of mono remains on the other side of the bait. Stick your rubber legs through the loop, then pull the loop through the bait and voila!
Don't worry, catch crappie.
I use 1/80 oz hair jigs out of grey and fox squirel tails under casting boober.