Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Burnsville Lake
Burnsville Lake · West Virginia · Southeast
This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment spans nearly 1,000 acres at summer pool, featuring a prominent river channel, numerous creek arms, and extensive standing timber in its upper reaches. It's a predominantly stained-water fishery where bass relate closely to cover and depth transitions, providing opportunities for various techniques.
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 Burnsville 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 Burnsville Lake
Lake: Prespawn bass push into creek arms and secondary points, often holding on flooded timber or rock in 8-15 feet as water temperatures climb into the low 50s. Jerkbaits and jigs are effective near staging areas.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth retreat to deeper water, congregating on main lake points, channel swings, and submerged timber in 20-35 feet, particularly where current is present. Drop shot rigs and deep crankbaits become key presentations.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: As water cools, bass follow shad into creek embayments and onto main lake flats, often schooling near baitfish activity. Spinnerbaits, topwaters during low light, and shallow crankbaits can produce excellent results.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Bass suspend in deep timber or along the main river channel in 30-50 feet, requiring slow, vertical presentations. Spoons and blade baits fished methodically can entice bites, especially on warmer, sunny days.
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 Burnsville Lake
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