What is the basic crappie jig setup, and why so light?

The foundation of the sport is a 0.9–1.8 g (1/32–1/16 oz) jighead with a 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) soft plastic — tube, curly grub, or minnow profile — on 0.10–0.15 mm (2–4 lb) line and a light, soft-tipped rod. The lightness is not tradition, it is mechanism: light heads fall slowly through the sight window of an up-looking fish, thin line lets them fall naturally and telegraphs weightless bites, and the soft tip protects the paper mouth. Go heavier only when wind or depth defeats your bait control — and even then, many experts add a heavier rig above rather than a heavier jig.

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