Winter: Jiggin' Spoons

Jigging spoons make a great presentation for winter bass suspended against deep-water vertical structure such as ledges, channel walls, pilings, and standing timber. Rig a medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting outfit with 12-pound line and tie on a jigging spoon that imitates the local baitfish. When you're working open water, cast away from the boat and let the lure drop all the way to the bottom. When you're in structure that might hang you up, like timber, let the lure drop free-spool to the bottom. Work the lure right up against your target structure, lifting your rod tip to swim the lure up, and dropping the tip to let it flutter down again. Watch your line carefully. Bass will usually hit while the lure is falling.