Summer Football Jig Patterns & Techniques
The optimal tool for probing deep structure in the summer, Football Jigs go hand-in-hand with high heat and big, mid-year stringers. Whether you’re exploring ledges, deep points, or offshore humps, a Football Jig’s ability to imitate crawfish makes it a staple on almost every angler’s deck, but don’t overlook its versatility as a shad imitator as well. Impart more action in the summer with hard snaps and animated trailers to make bass come unglued, pinging your line with that unmistakable chomp.
Rods:
Your rod power and length will correlate to the size of the Football Jig that you’re throwing, but generally speaking, most anglers gravitate towards a graphite rod that is 7’3” or longer with a Medium Heavy to Heavy Power. In regards to taper, anglers tend to be split between a Fast or Moderate taper. It really boils down to preference, confidence, and fishing style.
Reels:
Ideally, you want a casting reel with a 7:1 to 8:1 gear ratio to keep your line tight as you reel down after a powerful hook set. Line capacity should also be taken into consideration when selecting a reel for Football Jigs. Because you’re usually fishing deep and making long casts, a reel in the 150- to 200-size range will fit the bill most of the time.
Line:
Fluorocarbon plays a key role in ensuring success with Football Jigs. Crawfish are bottom dwellers, which means keeping your jig on the lake floor is critical. Fluorocarbon naturally wants to sink, and this helps you stay in strike zone throughout your cast. Also, unlike a moving bait, which offers bass a split-second opportunity to feed, Football Jigs move slowly and allow bass to weigh their options, making fluoro’s near invisibility a necessity. And because you’re fishing around rocky terrain and sharp structure, the abrasion resistance of fluorocarbon is ideal for navigating jagged bass strongholds.
Modifications & Rigging:
Whether you prefer old-school chunks, bulky beavers, thumping twin tails, or detailed craw imitators, the options for Football Jig trailers are endless. A good rule of thumb, especially in summer, is the warmer the water, the more action you will want in your trailer. Try using a twin-tail grub or craw as water temperatures creep up and a chunk or beaver-style bait as they cool off. Action can also be achieved with sharp snaps of the rod tip, as opposed to the lethargic dragging of fall and winter fishing.
Tips & Tricks:
Besides changing your trailer, there are a couple of quick adjustments you can make in the summer months to squeeze a few more bites out of a long day of fishing. Switching to a slightly heavier Football Jig will greatly increase your rate of fall and generate a “reaction” bite from more aggressive fish. Scent can also make a big difference, so don’t hesitate to give your Football Jig some added juice with an attractant.
As a side note, when you find yourself bumping into cover, like a laydown, don’t be in a rush to free your Football Jig; you are in a high-percentage area, so slow down, give your jig a couple of shakes, and bang it against the structure to try and produce a bite.
Colors:
With Football Jigs, Browns, Blacks, and Green Pumpkins are good places to start. In the summer, Football Jigs can be a great way to imitate a wide assortment of forage, so don’t hesitate to mix it up with some Bluegill, Crappie, and Shad colors.
