I was wondering if someone could give me a few tips on this. Do you just tie the jig on the string and bounch it off the bottom? Or do you put it on a swivel?

DO A SEARCH ON KNOTS HERE ON THE FORUM... YOU WILL SEE THE LOOP KNOT OR SURGEONS KNOT THIS IS WHAT I EXPECT EVERYONE THAT JIG FISHES USES...
MATTHEW

JIGUM JIGS

Agree w/ Mr. Carroll. Do a search; Jigging isn't all that hard, but it takes patient. Then beside patient, it'd take some more patient; then after that, most important thing to add is PATIENT. Just like plastic worm for BB. Techniques varies from jig sizes goes along with line wt and the depth intended. Condition and habitats play a big role along with the time of the yr.... etc. Perhaps, the easiest way is to get w/ Mr. Carroll to start out with some good jigs, then book a guide at least once which would equal to RESULT in least amount of time spent.
Good luck,

Alright,
Now that I have time, I think it'd be helpful you if I can add a few things FYI since there isn't a whole lot of feedbacks toward your inquiry.

Typical Jigging for Crappie:

Rod: Lite ...very lite. fast tip is prefered most of the time, but slow tip is a plus for winter jigging.

Head: mostly 1/16oz. Winter time can be tricky when crappie don't like chasing after big bait, I'd go something much smaller and lighter wt. The slow the jig moves the better.

Line: Just don't be cheap on line; use good line. Line should be lite, the lighter the better for natural presentation without breaking constantly and loose too many fish.

Color: Endless...

Loop: Never a tite knot or swivel. always a loose loop (please do a search on loose loop.

Primary factor for cathing these crappies: Presetntation, presentation & presentation.

Pitch and let drop naturally by holding the tip of your rod Super STILL; let the fish do the chasing and hitting.

Down jigging to the bottom and raising ever slowly to locate depth of fish. The slower the better and the fish will let you know when he sees something he likes.

There are many more techniques that can apply based on condition and so on...etc. These are just a few clues for new comer only, not the reg. Crappie addicts.

Once jigging becomes natural, then location is the main ingredients. Those who can locate the fish will be the one who has the biggest stringer.

Hope this help some!!!!

I highly recommend booking a guided trip. I have booked several this year and I've been crappie fishing my whole life. I always seem to pick up a thing or three. You can get a guided trip pretty cheap if you go on a weekday afternoon and split it with someone.

Also, and most importantly, when you think you're fishing slow enough, slow down some more.

All good info from the posts above. I am one opf those that kinda go against the grain somewhat. I have gone completely away from the loop knot and use nothing less than 10# line. If you've ever fished with Paul O'Bier or myself, you'll agree that our line/knots still produce fish and in many cases more fish than those around us with lighter line and loop knots. We hang up less with a cinch type knot and catch more fish on the fall with the heavier line.

IMHO when fishing with jigs, less is more Most bites will come on the fall or when your holding your rod still.
Location+ presentation= success

You'll get many answers to your question on this forum and each has his own style that works for him or her. Try many different ways until you see what is gonna work for you. It all comes back to confidence in the end

I fished with Jerry. He speaks the truth. Changed my opinion about many apsects of crappie fishing. Seeing is definitely believing.

I always tie a cinch knot and make sure the jigs parallel or facing down like a minnow swims. The man I get my jigs from at Fork taught me that.

Diff strokes for diff folks. CONFIDENT IS STILL THE KEY FOR ALL. Cinch or loop to me isn't gonna make much of a difference in getting hung up; it's the hook that would get hung not the line. The loose loop is closed by gravity. With cinch knot, one must correct the jig's position to ensure the horizontal plan. A jig that must require a cinch knot to keep horizontal is NOT a balanced jig to begin with. A novice may not be able to detect a bite with heavier line. Might as well promote super strong braided line for a novice to pull up and disturb the brush. Keep in mind this is for a NOVICE jigger who want to learn the fundamental of jigging. Yeah, some LIKE myself!!!!

I promise you will lose more jigs with a loop over a cinch.. When pulling a jig tied with a loop over branches, it will slide down and hook the point into the brush. A cinch will not slide down and will glide over branches better. I've seen it with my own eyes many times. I'd prefer to tie a loop because of speed if all were equal.
Hard to explain but I know it makes a difference. Heavier line like 10# does not feel any different than 6# when a fish bites IMHO.
We get MORE bites with heavier line that is why we use it. I buy my jigs by the thousand so breaking off doesn't bother me.
I guess we need to go back to school and learn how to jig fish so we can catch more fish on guide trips and place higher in tournaments
Been doing it wrong all this time

hahahah JERRY...
We all love you for being the BEST there is as Mr. Lavon. As the matter of fact, didn't I mentioned it over and over and once again that I am a NOVICE?...hahahahha. Well, thanks for the info, and I am learning as we speak. BTW, crappies is a specie with a black dot on each side that look like an ear, right? ))

Thanks for the info Jerry. I will have to give it a try on my next time out.

Are you using a spinning reel?

I've been brushpile and condo fishing using braid with a triple palomar knot. I like the braid but it's got quirks.

Thanks again!

I've used a Loop Knot on standing timber. But shooting docks or brush pile would be a cinch knot

Sheldon,
depends on which rod I pick up. I really prefer a baitcasting reel for anything but dock shooting. I have a couple spooled with Power Pro right now. I hate it more everytime I use it

Slab, you're no novice, I've seen you catch fish out there with your brother John :p

Jerry,
I didn't know I have a brother named John, but the more the merrier...

Question:...Know where I can get a spool of Power Pro 8lb test? I was out at BPS, and there is a sample plate in front of Pwr Pro display with all the strands of test rated. Well, I hate the feel of all of them except for the 8lb test which feel smooth. However, they don't carry it, and I haven't seen anywhere carry it.
If it feels like a braid, I can't stand it. I might try its smooth touch of the 8 lb.

Oh Jerry, been thinking of booking an evening bargain w/ you so I can learn all I can. I just have to find an evening off one of these days. Life in the office sucks big time!

Jerry, can you fill us in when it's good to use double jigs? if that is ever a good rig. I rarely use it, but I've seen lots of people done it and they seem to do pretty well at it.

Thanks in advance.