What are the determining factors that influence what jig size you start off with when you hit the water?

-Depth? Cover? Water color? Wind?

Do you guys prefer a certain size jig over another? One that you find yourself throwing more often than others.

-Myself, I don't think I've thrown anything larger than 3/8oz. Am I selling myself short by not including a half oz jig to my arsenal?

I'm a relatively new jig fisherman, and trying to pick the brains of the more experienced jig fisherman on the site. I apologize for these "rather simple" questions.

You need all different sizes for all different depths. I mostly use 3/8 and 1/2 the most.

Depth, Cover, Wind, and Mood of the fish. 

 

For deep water, heavy cover, heavy wind, active fish.. 1/2oz+

For shallow water, no heavy cover, light wind, sluggish to active fish, 3/8oz. 

I use 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 oz jigs. The 1/8 and 1/4 I mostly swim. For "normal" jig fishing I let wind and water depth help me decide. However, a 1 oz jig can really stir up the bottom in shallow water and produce some really solid strikes on occasion.