Spring is the one time of year when crappie move shallow and are within easy reach of nearly every angler. It’s also a great time to tie on an artificial jig rather than a traditional minnow, as these fish are often very active. While I love bringing home a big mess of slabs, I particularly enjoy catching them on a jig of my own creation.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve found that creating my own crappie jigs is not only cost-effective but provides a low cost hobby that can be pursued during cold winter months or on rainy days when I can’t actually be fishing.

Sure, it’s easier to flop out a few bucks for the latest fish-catching designs at the local tackle store, but creating a lure with your own hands that consistently fools fish adds a whole new dimension to fishing, and crappie jigs are one of the cheapest and simplest to create.

My interest in crappie jigs first arose after buying one of those entry-level fly-tying kits like the ones sold at most major outdoor retailers. The prospect of tying some of the more classic trout patterns seemed like fun. I soon discovered I don’t have the patience or the talent to tie some of the more intricate trout-fooling patterns, and besides, the nearest trout stream is hours away.

After letting the kit accumulate a fair amount of dust on a dark shelf in my office closet, it came to me that the vise, tools and various supplies in the kit could be put to use in making some unique jigs for our more locally found crappie populations. Besides, crappie jigs don’t require quite the creative delicate touch that trout flies do.

Getting started is easy and relatively inexpensive. All you really need is a vise to hold the jig in place while tying, an assortment of jig heads of varying sizes, some thread and a selection of your favorite tying materials such as bucktail, marabou, flashabou, chenille, hackle or whatever mixture trips your trigger.

While there are a few tools that make jig tying a breeze, such as a bobbin, bobbin threader and hackle pliers, you can get along without them to start and add them as you become more interested and proficient.

For those who are completely new to the world of tying, look into some of the entry-level kits that come complete with everything you’ll need to get started. While most of these kits are intended for fly tying, many outdoor retailers like Bass Pro Shops now offer them specifically for jig makers.

Several nationally known mail order companies also specialize in custom lure and tackle building. Jann’s Netcraft, Barlows and Lurecraft offer about everything you can imagine to help design your next fish-catching pattern.

The internet is also a great source of information for those who want to create their own crappie-catching patterns. With the advent of Web sites like YouTube, Facebook, Myspace and Yahoo Video, internet users can log on and watch other anglers from around the world share their tips and tricks for creating some fantastic slab catching lures.

Another great source of tying supplies is your local hobby and craft store. While they may not sell vises or other specific tying gear, you can’t help but walk down the aisles of these places and imagine all the different lure combinations you could come up with by using the materials found here.

As you progress into the world of tying your own jigs, don’t get caught up in the cosmetics. The majority of my jigs have some minor flaw or blemish, and some just look plain ridiculous. But if they catch fish, who cares?

This is another benefit of tying your own custom jigs. Creating your own individual style of jigs allows you the confidence of knowing you’re fishing with something that looks completely different than anything else being offered on the water.

My jigs will probably never earn a fancy name like the Royal Wulf, Elk Hair Caddis, Clouser Minnow or Woolly Bugger, but if they help me put more fish in the fryer while increasing the fun both on and off the water, then I’m a happy guy.