Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Cass Lake
Cass Lake · Michigan · Midwest
Cass Lake is a large, deep inland lake in Michigan's Oakland County, characterized by clear water and a complex bottom contour featuring numerous points, humps, islands, and channels. It supports robust populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass, providing diverse angling opportunities across varied habitats.
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 Cass 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 Cass Lake
Lake: Bass migrate to shallow, protected bays and sun-warmed flats for spawning, with pre-spawn fish staging on secondary points in 10-15 feet.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Largemouth relate to deep weed lines and docks, while smallmouth concentrate on offshore humps and rock piles in 20-40 feet.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Both species follow baitfish into main lake pockets, creek channels, and shallower flats, exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Bass suspend in deep basins or hold tight to hard bottom structure, requiring slow, vertical presentations in 30-60 feet.
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 Cass Lake
Ready to fish Cass Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →