Now after we have considered all the different types of jigs we must next look at shape of the jig head. This is one of the most important aspects of choosing the right jig for the right job. The most common is the ball jig (diagram 1, A). and is considered wrongfully, in my humble opinion, the best all around jig. Another popular jig is the banana jig (diagram 2, A), which is good for weedy and rocky fishing (anti-snag). I also disagree with this myth. And here's why.

A Ball jig is good for one, and only one application, VERTICAL FISHING. It tends to be prone to snags when fished in rocky areas or around weeds. The same can be said for the banana jig.

I prefer a jig where the eye on the jig is at the front, not the top. I feel the Sparkly jig (2,A) is one of best all-round jigs, because:

1. the front is lifted up and over rocks (rather than into them as with the Ball jig);
2. the angle of the eye to the body with the Sparky jig is grater then the Ball or Banana jigs, the latter two being more susceptible to getting fouled by weeds.

The following illustration shows how the Sparky jig (1) wards off the weeds and snags as do most jigs with the eye near of at the front. The Ball (2) and Banana (3) jigs are more susceptible to snags and catching weeds.

Another problem you will have with small jigs (which is what you will be using for crappie fishing) is that if the hook-eye is on top rather than to the front, it tends to spin when falling or being retrieved quickly.

Before we get to crappie-fishing jigs, I would like to mention a jig that I have been using for about seven years. This little beauty is called a Drip Lip jig (1/8 & 3/8 oz. diagram 2, ,B), made by Jig-A-Whopper in Hershey, PA. This jig is definitely the best all-round jig I have ever used! It's made for live bait fishing and is designed to hold your bait off the bottom. It comes with a small plastic body and a second eye for a stinger hook. Take off the small plastic body and cut off the top eye (the one for the stinger hook), then place your favorite grub (plastic) on the jig. You might have to crazy glue you grub to the holder because it is so small. With this modification you now have one of best jigs for fishing in snaggy rock areas, and it also works extremely well in the weeds.

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