Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Bartlett Lake
Bartlett Lake · Arizona · West
Bartlett Lake is a 2,830-acre reservoir located northeast of Phoenix in the Mazatzal Mountains, known for its crystal-clear water and abundant rocky structure ideal for bass fishing. The lake's steep canyon walls, rock ledges, and deep drop-offs create excellent habitat for both largemouth and smallmouth bass throughout the year. With minimal development and strong forage bases, Bartlett Lake consistently produces quality bass and attracts serious anglers seeking a remote desert fishing experience.
A lead or tungsten head with a weed guard, skirt, and soft plastic trailer. Fished on the bottom by pitching, casting, or slow-rolling. The jig imitates crawfish and bottom-dwelling forage. More big bass have been caught on jigs than any other lure category — it's the lure that separates serious anglers.
Jig (Casting & Pitching) Setup for Bartlett Lake
| Rod | 7'–7'3" medium-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon (cover) or 50 lb braid (heavy grass) |
| Weight | 3/8 oz standard; 1/2–3/4 oz in wind or deep; 1/4 oz finesse |
| Hook | Built-in, typically 4/0–5/0 |
Seasonal Tactics on Bartlett Lake
Lake: Spring brings excellent topwater and transition bite as water temperatures warm into the 60s. Bass move from deep winter structure to shallow banks, making crankbaits and soft plastics effective around rocky points and coves.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Summer heat pushes bass deep into rocky channels and drop-offs where water remains cooler. Early morning topwater and deep-water finesse techniques produce best results as fish retreat to structure in 30-60 feet of water.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Fall cooling triggers aggressive feeding with bass returning to shallower structure and points. Crankbaits, swimbaits, and jigs around rocky shelves produce excellent catches as bass prepare for winter.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Winter bass suspend and school around deeper rocky structure and channel ledges. Slow-moving presentations like drop-shot rigs and vertical jigging in 40-60 feet of water produce the most consistent winter catches.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Slowest presentation — drag a 3/8 oz football jig on deep hard bottom. Barely move it.
Best Conditions
All seasons, all depths, all cover types; most effective in 50–70°F water; excellent in pre-spawn and when fish are on hard bottom
Match trailer to conditions: craw trailer in cold water (slower fall, bigger profile), swimbait trailer when swimming, chunk trailer for flipping.
More Techniques for Bartlett Lake
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