I'm trying to learn to use jigs instead of minnows but there are too many kinds to choose from. I'm still a little over welmed looking at the selection at Bass Pro.

Marabou, tubes, road runners, curly tail, sausage head, swim jig, beatle spins, critter jigs, tadpoles, etc, etc, etc.

I assume the kind of jig is at the bottom of list of importance behind location, depth, & color?

You're welcome to add any extra information as far as color or jig head weight etc. Also, thanks for the replies.

Painted in my opinion
1/4 never used one
1/8 when you have to - #2
1/16 when they don't care - #4 or #2 hook
1/32 when smaller is better - #6 or #4 hook

Plastics
buddies or chubbies http://constantpursuitoutfitters.com/plastics/

Feather
There is a lot of talent guys on here that can tie you some

My go-to is pink 1/16oz jig head #2 hook with a black and chartreuse plastic

Don't get overwhelmed. The good thing about crappie jigs is they are relatively cheap when compared to other types of artificial baits. Just buy you a small assortment of plastics and jig heads (in different weights). After awhile you'll figure out what seems to work best for you. You are absolutely correct...no jig will work if you don't put it in front of the fish. I'm sure you'll get a lot of good recommendations here. Good luck to you.

I use 1/8th oz sickle hook jigheads (#2 size hook I believe) and plastic jig bodies. I prefer slab bandits by Crazy Angler. They're tough baits and come in a variety of colors and 3 different sizes. I use mainly two color combos - chart/white 80% of the time and Blue/white the other 20%. When it's sunny, I use the chart/white and when it's cloudy I use blue/white.

They have been biting 1/8 oz pink jig with #2 Matzuo hook. Black/ Chartruese tail. Crappie thunder type. They also were biting red/chartreuse.

I think fish instinctually see anything suspending in the water column as alive, as it takes effort even for a fish to stay still in the water. Like Ernest said, its more about presentation and location than anything. Fished with my father in law the other day, he was using a black and green frog jig that was every bit of 2 inches long. I was using a chart/white Slab Bandit. Neither of us had trouble getting bit.

I'm 100% bonehead tackle. Not saying any of these others jigs don't catch but it's just what you've got confidence in.

Lots of good advice here, but would like to add, top your jig off with a Crappie Niblet. Comes in a jar, pink, chartreuse, glitter. Sometimes gets that crappie to hold onto your bait long enough to get a good hook set. after I catch one, I also take my jig and rub it a couple times along the side of the crappie for a little extra scent before I turn the crappie back. I recently converted my wife from minnows to jig fishing and she loves it! Once you start to live for the thump, you will be hooked.

As stated above, confidence and jigging technique is more important than the jig itself. Get a few jigs that you think look good and tie them on and leave the minnows at home. The key is to be around fish. If you know you are in an area with fish then start jigging and try different things till you get bit. When it comes to jigging, you don't have to bounce the jig a lot. Most of the time subtle movements will get you bit. I will also add to get some high vis line. A lot of bite happen as the jig falls and you only see your line go slack which is due to the fish picking it up.

For the most part I use 1/16 oz. unpainted, but I have some white I'm in the process of losing. When the wind is high and fishing deeper than 10' I go to 1/8 oz unpainted. I do have some road runners that I tie on just for some variation. But mostly 1/16th and 1/8th oz. unpainted. Small plastic and jig heads from Crazy Angler. The Crawl'r in Texas Toast and Rage N Cajun colors have been best on Bardwell this year. Here is a link.
http://stores.crazyanglertackle.com/crawlr/

Listen to Ernest++++++++

Best hint: Hold the jig as still as possible most of the time. If that doesn't work slowly raise the rod tip a couple of feet and slowly lower it. Most beginners think they should jig the bait a lot.

That is the one tip that has helped me the most.

Cory: A lot depends on where you fish. Best bet would be to hire a local guide for a half day trio and have him coach you. If that is not possible, follow Ernests advise and just try some stuff.