I like a longer rod for jig fishing - it just seems to transmit more vibration. A lighter line will help - the only time I really go heavier than 12 is when I am fishing some heavy cover. The weight of the jig is important too. I can feel the bottom much better, and have better luck when dragging the jig as opposed to hopping it. Just short drags (10 inches or so) and take up the slack and pause - just as I do a carolina rig. Steven Headrick told me about how this was his primary jig presentation he learned from Billy W. According to Billy, he did it in short moves like this, because he said that is how a crawfish moves along the bottom (short bursts, and settle).