Pitching Jigs to Cover
Written By Trey Blocker

There is not a better scenario on earth for an angler than to pitch a jig into cover and watch the line start to move off to the side. The brief moment between the detection of the strike and initiating the hook set is one that is filled with suspense, hope, anxiety, and visions of what could possibly be on the other end of the line. Although pitching jigs to cover is an exciting and productive method to catch quality bass, it requires certain levels of skill. Bait presentation, knowledge of lure performance, and knowledge of bass behavior are needed to put bass in the boat.

Photo taken by Dale Guitreau Jr

Fishing in such close quarters requires a special technique of casting called pitching. This underhand method of casting is used to place lures in areas where traditional casting can’t reach. Overhanging branches, moss, piers, and many other obstacles make pitching an essential tool in a bass angler’s arsenal. Pitching also increases the number of casts to each piece of cover throughout the day giving the angler the opportunity to cover water with and accuracy. Practicing this technique can help the angler branch off into more skilled forms of pitching like skipping lures under low hanging cover and punching lures straight into cover. This will enable the angler to have opportunities to present a lure in places other anglers miss. Also, softer landings are a byproduct of pitching which is necessary to prevent spooking fish.

Most bass relate to some type of cover. Cover comes in all kinds of different forms. It can be lay downs, trees, stumps, grass, piers, pilings, rocks, riprap, shade, hard bottom, submerged shrubs and so on. Ambushing prey, protection, body temperature regulation and oxygenated water are just a couple of reasons bass relate to different types of cover. The time of year, type of climate, weather patterns, and the forage in the area will dictate what type of cover the bass will be relating to. An example of cover is summer lily pad fields or overhanging brush. With so many options to choose from it can be a little overwhelming. The best thing to do before getting on the water of a foreign lake would be to do some basic research to find out what the main forage and type of cover is. Once on the water start from square one and pick it apart piece by piece until a pattern emerges.

Pitching jigs in cover requires some basic knowledge of head type, skirt and trailers, and prey imitation. The different head types are designed for different applications. The football head jigs are mainly for fishing rocks, gravel, or any other hard type of bottom. The football shape helps the jig stand up straight when fishing the hard bottom and prevents the jig from getting snagged in the cracks and crevices while fishing on rocks. Another head style is the rounded head which is more frequently used when pitching to timber, but is also used regularly for a wide variety of cover. This type of jig can be used when fishing wood, hard bottom and rocks, grass, lilies, and many other forms of cover. The triangular shaped jig head is mainly used for fishing grass. The shape of this jig head helps it to penetrate in and easily slide out the grass beds. All styles of jigs are capable of catching bass in any kind of cover, but these specially designed jig heads give the jig a more natural presentation in its designated type of cover.

Jigs skirt and trailer selections can vary from thickness to size. These variations will dictate the rate of fall of the jig and the size of the profile. A thick skirt combined with a big trailer will give the jig a slow fall with a lot of action. A smaller skirt with a smaller trailer will allow the jig to dart down towards the bottom at a higher rate of speed. There are plenty of combinations to be tested for different types of presentations. As the jig falls vertically through the water column the skirt and trailer combination is designed to flutter and pulsate creating the image of a baitfish fleeing or a crawfish trying to escape. Once the jig meets the bottom the skirt will slowly spread and the trailer appendages will start to float imitating a crawfish getting in a defense position. The skirt and trailer also creates vibrations when falling or pulled through the water allowing the jig to be detected a little easier. This is especially important when fishing in murky or muddy water when visibility is low. Manipulating the skirts thickness and the trailers length allows the angler to become more diverse with his or her presentations. This creates opportunities to help establish patterns and catch more bass.

The initial fall is when 90 percent of the strikes occur when pitching jigs. If a strike is not detected after the initial fall, bounce or drag the jig a time or two then reel up and pitch again. Bouncing or dragging the jig is sometimes necessary to sound off the rattle s if any and/ or to create a sediment trail for bass to follow. This movement also moves water and creates vibrations to help bass locate the lure. Multiple casts to the same piece of cover is a productive way to locate bass especially if a pattern has been discovered utilizing that type of cover. When approaching a piece of cover it is best to make the initial pitches towards the outer edges. Once the outer edges are fished thoroughly, pitching towards the meat of the cover should follow. There are multiple reasons for this orderly way to present the jig. If jig is pitched to the meat of the cover first and bass is hooked, the fight that follows may spook other bass that may be on the outer edges. Also, the jig may become snagged and any effort to release it could spook others. The most important reason is establishing a pattern. Working from the outside in helps home in on where the bass are staging so the same presentation can be used on future areas that are fished.

Pitching jigs to cover is a focus oriented and exciting method of bass fishing. Pitching is a proven method to catch quantity and quality bass regardless of how low branches may hang or how deep behind a pier bass may be. Understanding how the jig falls and looks under the water while it’s being fished takes a little time to learn but is definitely worth it. Pitching Jigs to cover is an essential tool for any angler trying to go for the win in a tournament or to have a blast on a “just for fun” type of trip.

About the Author: Trey Blocker is a pro angler and freelance outdoor writer in southern Louisiana. He competes in the Bass Master Weekend Series, other local circuits and charity tournaments. He is currently on team LOUISIANA FISH FRY, with other sponsors including SWAMP STICK RODS, and ROBELOCKER FISHING. Trey owns his own lawn and landscaping business named Blocker Landscaping and loves to cut grass and catch bass.