When, Where, and Why to Fish a Football Jig in the Winter
- bassinandbirdies
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
When the water turns cold and bass slow down, few lures consistently produce like a football jig. Winter bass fishing is about efficiency, bottom contact, and triggering bites from fish that don’t want to move far. The football jig checks every one of those boxes.
If you’re chasing winter bites—or your personal best—understanding when, where, and why to throw a football jig can make the difference between a long day and a memorable one.
Why a Football Jig Shines in Winter
Winter bass are:
Less willing to chase
More bottom-oriented
Focused on high-protein meals like crawfish
A football jig excels because it:
Stays on the bottom where winter bass live
Deflects off rock and hard cover without rolling over
Presents a slow, bulky meal that cold-water bass prefer
The wide football-shaped head keeps the jig upright, allowing the trailer to stand up and look like a defensive crawfish—an easy target for lethargic bass.
When to Fish a Football Jig in Winter
The football jig is most effective when:
Water temps are below 50°F
Bass are transitioning to or holding in winter areas
Fronts have passed and fish are neutral or negative
Best Winter Conditions
Cold, clear to moderately stained water
Post-frontal high-pressure days
Sunny afternoons that slightly warm hard-bottom areas
💡 Pro Tip: Late morning through mid-afternoon is often best, when the sun has had time to warm rocks and deep structure.
Where to Throw a Football Jig in Cold Water
Location is everything in winter. Focus on hard-bottom structure close to deep water.
High-Percentage Winter Targets
Main-lake points
Secondary points near deep water
Channel swings
Rock piles and ledges
Bluff ends
Hard-bottom humps
Avoid:
Thick vegetation
Shallow flats without nearby depth
Soft, muddy bottoms
Winter bass want depth, stability, and hard cover—and the football jig is built for exactly that.
How to Fish a Football Jig in Winter
Slow is the name of the game.
Productive Winter Retrieves
Drag and pause (most effective)
Short hops with long pauses
Slow crawl with the rod tip
Let the jig:
Sit still for several seconds
Maintain constant bottom contact
Do the work naturally—less is more
⚠️ Many winter bites feel like extra weight or pressure. If something feels different, set the hook.
Recommended Football Jigs for Winter
Choose jigs with compact profiles and quality hooks.
Proven Winter Football Jigs
Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig – excellent balance and durability
Booyah Baby Boo Football Jig – great for pressured lakes
Z-Man Football Jig – strong hook and great skirt action
Dirty Jigs Luke Clausen Finesse Football Jig – ideal for cold, clear water
Best Winter Colors
Green Pumpkin
Brown Craw
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Black/Blue (stained water)
Pair with compact trailers like:
Rod, Reel, and Line Setup (Critical in Winter)
Cold water demands sensitivity and control. This setup has proven itself time and time again.
Rod
7’2”–7’6” Medium-Heavy or Heavy
Fast action
Sensitive graphite blank
Examples:
Reel
Low-profile baitcasting reel
6.3:1 gear ratio (perfect balance of speed and torque)
Why: Slower reels help maintain bottom contact and keep you from overworking the bait.
Line
Fluorocarbon is the clear choice
Recommended:
15–17 lb fluorocarbon for deeper water and clear lakes
17–20 lb fluorocarbon around heavier rock or cover
Fluoro provides:
Better sensitivity
Less stretch than mono
Superior abrasion resistance on rock
Final Thoughts
Winter bass fishing rewards patience, confidence, and the right tools. A football jig isn’t flashy—but it’s deadly when conditions get tough.
If you’re willing to:
Slow down
Fish deeper
Focus on structure
The football jig can help you catch bigger-than-average bass when many anglers struggle to get bites.
In winter, one bite can make your day—and more often than not, that bite comes on a football jig.
Comments