ok, i know to fish them slowly, but i have a question about the size of the jig you use. do you want a small or a large presentation in cold water (around low 40s)? also, with your trailer, do you want something with a lot of action like the rage craws, or maybe something a little more subtle? thanks guys!

Most guys want a small, compact presentation.

That means 1/4 -3/8 oz, skirt trimmed neatly to

the hook and a small, subtle trailer (GYCB Baby

Craw).

However, I like BIG! 3/4 oz GMAN Mop jig,

untrimmed and wild. Rage Tail Lobster, full

size Paca Craw, Flappin' Hog or Double Wide

Beaver for the trailer.

;D ;D ;D

Not to start a fight on here but I always do better in cold water on a bigger jig. 1/2 Mop with Super Chunk. I think they want something bigger being that they feed less and tend to be on the deeper side. I never trim my mops regardless of the time of year. I fish a jig all year long on several lakes and have never seen a huge need to downsize because the water temp. I think it has more to do with bait size. I know everyone has a different way of doing it and this is mine, So far doing pretty good on it.

I prefer smaller jigs. Below 55 I use hair jigs!

do you use trailers on hair jigs?

when i use jigs i also like to use a trailer with a bigger profile in colder water . i try to keep the presentation slow and do smaller "hops" off the bottom then i normally would when the water is warmer and the fish are more active . as for the "action" of your trailer , i like the craw to have big "claws" that stand up as long as possible (defensive posture), especially for the slow presentations 

do you use trailers on hair jigs?

yes!

check out north star state (member here)

Like has already been mentioned, a lot of this is personal preference. I get the most fishing satisfaction out of going very small with my jigs in very cold water - 1/8-oz. hair jigs, custom hand poured tiny frog trailer (no extra action) and 5#-10# braid or 4-6# fluorocarbon. Add a 6'6" custom ML fast action rod and cold water bassin' life is good  8-)

-T9

I prefer bigger jigs in the winter. (well, year 'round actually)

When fish are less active, it makes sense to me that a fish would want more food for less work.  Eating a slow moving, large prey item is more efficient than eating several smaller ones. 

Even when using big jigs, I still catch some smaller fish.  I've caught bass only 10 inches long on a big full-skirted half ounce jig with a lobster trailer.