So many anglers overlook fishing a jig in the fall and winter months. Often they think that when the weather and water temperature get cold the bite gets tough, this is the farthest thing from the truth. That theory works well for largemouth when winter hits but spotted bass continue to feed.

We all have jigs in our tackle box that we flip on Clear Lake or the Delta and these usually have a 5/0 heavy duty hook and a weedguard to keep you from getting hung up. These jigs are only a cousin to the jig you should be fishing in deep water. We normally flip a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jig and these are light compared to my deep water jig. My favorite is a 3/4 ounce football head jig with a 4/0 Gamakatsu light wire hook, no weedguard. I will fish the 1 ounce jig but I like the 3/4 more often.

I will fish with a variety of skirts and trailers but I usually will fish a Yamamoto double tail Hula Grub in Green Pumpkin or Cinnamon/Purple. The other jig I fish a great deal when the water gets below 50 degrees is a live rubber jig with a pork trailer. Many anglers have gotten away from pork but I still use a great deal of it in the winter months. My primary colors in rubber jigs is brown/purple with purple pork or all purple. I usually fish the Super Pork tadpole. I never seem to have enough time to tie my own jigs anymore and one of the best jigs I have found in the stores is the Bass Patrol football head jig. They have a quality hook and come in all the good deep water sizes including the one ton jig. My two favorite colors is brown and brown/purple.

My rod, reel and line selection are also very important. I usually fish 12lb Berkley Big Game line on my jigs with a Lamiglas 724 Senko Special rod and Pflueger President reel with a 6:1 gear retrieve. I will drag my jig more than hop it or swim it, usually with my trolling motor keeping it on the bottom. In the winter months don’t be afraid to fish that jig from 40-80 feet, it is easier than you think and you will be able to feel the jig this is the reason for the heavy head.

Good Luck