When fishing straight down in 20 to 30 fret of water, a 1/8 ounce jig head gets down there a lot faster than a 1/16 ounce head, but will the lighter jig, with its slower fall, normally catch more fish?

It will be interesting to hear the thoughts. It seems like a lot of folks like to use jigs which take ten minutes to drop.

For me, I have started going with 1/4 ounce a lot of the time because I’m not very patient.

I've fished with a crappie guide that uses only 1/4 oz jigs and LiveScope,..they need a jig that gets down quick and can be seen.
We caught 2 pounder plus fish time after time,...fish didnt seem to matter.

Hot summer months, the lighter jig will work well when the fish are finicky. Rest of the time, I fish 1/8 oz. or heavier. Winter fishing, 1/4 oz when fishing deeper than 25 ft. You can control the fall with the rod.

Yeah it depends on the time of the year and conditions. Anything 25 ft or more I want it down in their face quick, which is usually colder times. Summer I like a slower fall rate unless it's straight timber with fish stacked then I want it down above their heads as quick as possible

I fished with guide twice on Fork once using Livescope once before he ahd Livescope on his boat and we used 1/4 oz jigs with a split shot 15" or so above that. In May once and in July once.

Wayne

Since getting Livescope I’ve changed my mind about this. I liked the 1/16oz in light wind and 1/8oz when windy. Now it’s 1/4oz only for me. There is a better feel for the jig in my opinion.

Let the fish tell you. If they are hitting your jig on the fall then a lighter jig might be the ticket but if you are doodle socking suspended fish that are holding tight then a heavier jig works very well. I will say that I get my line un-hung from brush better with a heavier jig. Also give consideration to current. I fish a power plant lake often and a lighter jig sometimes never makes it down where I need it because the current is very strong.

I am fishing mostly 1/4 right now, but then I also have a 1/4 egg sinker about 10" above the jig...easier and faster while using Livescope. I also fish the same 1/4 oz egg sinker with a 1/16 below it to have a smaller profile. Have fished some brushpiles where they were not hitting the 1/4 jig, but then they did hit the smaller 1/16

I agree, it depends on the fish and time of year, but ALWAY I fish with a leader. I put 1 or 2 1/8 Oz Weights right above a swivel, then below that is a 1.5-2 ft leader with my jig head. In the summer months when they need something small, it matters not, I can get it there faster than FedEx and with more accuracy. They have lost a lot of packages of mine. haha. If you watch any of my videos you will see this setup. When fishing 20 foot of water and you see a single fish swimming, you do not have time to let a small jig fall. This is what works best for me, hope this answer helps you.

Probably depends on the lake and how pressured/finicky the fish are. I see a lot of videos of guides on very popular lakes using a weight above the jig, kind of like a Carolina rig. If it’s windy enough out I will do that, otherwise I use 1/8 oz exclusively and wouldn’t even consider lighter, the fish don’t seem to mind on my lake.

I used to use sinkers.

Now I tie on 2 or 3 jigs at once because at least the extra jig might catch a fish unlike a sinker.

You also cover more of the water column.

Been working great for me.

You also might lose more than one jig if you get hung up.

I take the risk.

I generally use the lightest jig I can get away with. I truly believe a 1/16th oz will outfish a 1/8oz most of the time. This being said, I don’t have livescope.

Have definitely enjoyed reading this discussion. Always interesting to learn from the experience of others. Many thanks for sharing.

I use 1/8 and 1/16, when windy I use 1/8 no/ light wind 1/16. I also use spider wire for when they snag I can bend the hook before breaking.