Jig or worm about 98% of the time.

For deep water work, I much prefer a jig or alternatively a T-rigged plastic and slip-sinker.

However, it never hurts to run a crankbait through the school just in case they're in an aggressive mood.

Otherwise you might hate yourself in the morning :-[ >

Roger

X2

Run a crank through the area and then slow down with a jig to get any fish you might have missed with the crankbait.

I'll throw the crankbait a lot of times for inactive fish.   I don't know how many times I've gone through an area fishing slow, methodical presentations like a jig, caught nothing, and then burned a crankbait the same area and caught multiple fish (and oftentimes kickers).  

When you burn it through, they just react - - whether they're feeding or not.   I've even done this in very cold water (early winter) when the presentation was typically very slow - and also during post-spawn when other stuff just doesn't seem to be working.

If that doesn't work, I may just do the opposite - - tie on a slow rise or suspending crankbait and just barely crawl it through the area.   You can fish a crankbait just as slowly as a jig.          

I like jigs, too, though.....so I'll pick both.      

Jig, is that short enough for you ;D

6 words more than needed.  

Without knowing water temps, weather conditions, and most importantly what's on the bottom, it's a crap shoot at what should work best. If there is weeds, rocks, timber etc. I would throw a crankbait bouncing it off everything I could find. Generally the strikes would come on the pause after hitting something. If I was working sparse cover, I would opt for a weighted plastic lure like a Ugly Otter. If I've got laydowns or weed holes to work, I'm pitching a 1/2 oz Blue/black jig with a Paca Craw trailer.

Throw both and let the Bass tell you what he wants.

Jig, is that short enough for you ;D

6 words more than needed.  

I still had 4.5 lines, and I agree if it is a hot bite the crank will produce more fish but the jig bite is normally more of a quality one.

I feel your pain, my opinion is in competition is to run and gun with cranks and/or spinnerbaits etc. to locate pockets of fish then slow down and pick on'em with the jig. When chasin the bigguns its jig jig jig. Strike Kings new Rage Tail chunk and/or craw is the best trailer I have ever used or ever will and I have used them all. My jig bite has improved tremendously.