Football Jig
Jig technique
The football jig has a wide head that stands the hook up and walks over rock without wedging. Dragged on points, ledges and rock, it perfectly mimics a crawfish and is one of the best big-bass baits on clear Central Texas lakes.
Why: Drag the rocks for big ones.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Football Jig · Craw / Craw Trailer · All bass techniques
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
A 1/2-1 oz football-head jig with a skirt and a craw trailer, fished by dragging over rock and hard bottom.
Football Jig at a glance
- Category
- Jig
- Skill level
- ●●●○○
- Bryan's confidence
- ●●●●●
- Target depth
- 8-30 ft
Best for: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass
Gear
- Rod
- 7'3" MH (fast)
- Reel
- Baitcast 6.3:1
- Line
- fluoro — 15-17 lb
- Hook
- built-in heavy 4/0
- Weight
- football head — 1/2-1 oz
How to fish the Football Jig
- Add a craw or chunk trailer to a football jig.
- Make a long cast to a rocky point, ledge or hard-bottom flat.
- Let it hit bottom, then drag it slowly with the rod, feeling the rocks.
- Pause on any rock or cover, then drag again.
- Reel down and sweep-set when you feel weight.
Retrieve: Slow bottom drag with the rod, pausing at rocks; the head keeps the trailer standing like a feeding craw.
Where it shines
Cover: rock, open; structure: points, ledges, humps, rock; clarity: clear, stained.
When to use it
Best seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter
Best conditions: Summer Heat / Dog Days, Post-Frontal / Bluebird
When Bryan reaches for it: When quality fish move out onto rock and I want to pick apart deep structure for the biggest bite of the day.
Lakes where it works
Lake Buchanan · Lake LBJ · Inks Lake · Lake Marble Falls · Lady Bird Lake · Lake Belton · Lake O.H. Ivie
Lures to throw
Football Jig, Craw / Craw Trailer.
Common mistakes
- Hopping it instead of dragging — crawfish crawl
- Too light a head to feel deep rock
- Missing the subtle "just heavy" bites
Pro tips
- Match the trailer color to the local crawfish
- Use fluorocarbon for feel and a better hook-up on the drag
From Bryan's logbook
Based on Bryan Cotter's on-the-water observations.
The number one thing I look for on Buchanan is rock - the largemouth love it, partly because it lets them tuck away from the striper, and the best rock holds the best fish. In cold water, when you think you're fishing slow enough, slow down more; that's how the giants come.
Belton is the best smallmouth lake in Central Texas, and a very good largemouth lake too - I've caught a 10.13 pound bass here myself. The clear Corps water is a big part of why the smallmouth thrive.
Lady Bird Lake is the best jig lake around, right in the center of Austin. I've won plenty of bass club tournaments here and know where the big ones live.
Keep exploring
All bass fishing techniques · Offshore / Ledge Fishing · Carolina Rig · All bass lures · Central Texas bass fishing guide
Want to learn the Football Jig on the water? I'll put it in your hands on a guided trip. See rates and book or call 512-762-0190.