Mullen, the first thing you should do is go and find yourself a nice sensitive rod that feels comfortable in your hand. I personally spool one rod up with 4lb and another with 2lb, if you only want to purchase 1 rod i would go with 4lb just for extra insurance in case of a big fish or a toothy one. As for jigs, go to your local tackleshop and look at the small ones, if they look appetizing to you they will probably work, but get a couple of each in case on color is working and you lose on. As for technique that all depends on how the fish wants it, some days a steady half inch to inch movement will work other days a foot lift and slow drop other days its small movement and a pause. Hope this helps and good luck out there this year.