Flipping & Pitching Fishing on Cross Lake
Cross Lake · Louisiana · South Central
Cross Lake sits on the western edge of Shreveport in Caddo Parish, a shallow, timber-laced impoundment averaging 6–8 feet in depth with scattered cuts and channel edges dipping to 12–14 feet. Water clarity ranges from stained to moderately turbid depending on season and wind, with aquatic vegetation — primarily coontail moss and hydrilla — playing an increasingly significant role in fish location. Largemouth bass are the primary sportfish draw, though the lake's crappie fishery draws nearly as many rods throughout spring and fall.
Flipping uses a shortened line for pendulum-style presentations within 15 feet. Pitching covers 15–40 feet with an underhand cast. Both deliver baits silently into docks, laydowns, and grass edges. Big bass in heavy cover are the target — this is where giants live.
Flipping & Pitching Setup for Cross Lake
| Rod | 7'3"–7'6" heavy or extra-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1–8.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 50–65 lb braid or 20–25 lb fluorocarbon |
| Weight | 3/8–1 oz pegged tungsten, matched to cover density |
| Hook | 4/0–5/0 straight shank flipping hook |
Seasonal Tactics on Cross Lake
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into shallow timber and emergent grass flats in February and March as water temps climb through the mid-50s into the low 60s. The northwest coves warm fastest thanks to afternoon sun exposure, and shallow spinnerbaits and swimjigs fished tight to standing timber consistently produce fish staging before the full spawn.
Flipping & Pitching: Pitch to buck brush and flooded timber during pre-spawn. Jig or crawfish-colored creature bait.
Lake: Heat pushes baitfish and feeding bass toward deeper timber edges and submerged grass lines by late June; the 10–14 ft channel breaks become primary feeding zones during low-light windows. Topwater activity can flare early morning over grass flats in July and August, but midday fishing shifts to slow-rolled swimbaits or drop shots worked along the deeper timber skeletons.
Flipping & Pitching: Punch through grass mats with 1–1.5 oz weights. Fish the shade under mats where big bass hide from heat.
Lake: Shad migrations pull bass back onto shallow flats and into the upper creek arms through October and November; walking baits and lipless crankbaits worked over grass edges produce some of the best reaction strikes of the year. Water temps cooling through the 60s signal a window of aggressive feeding before winter turnover.
Flipping & Pitching: Target dock ends and remaining grass. Fish move shallower as water cools.
Lake: Winter fishing on Cross Lake rewards patience — bass concentrate on the deepest available timber in 10–14 ft, and a slow-dragged 3/8 oz football jig or a suspending jerkbait with extended pauses outproduces faster presentations. The fishery doesn't completely shut down in winter due to the mild northwest Louisiana climate, but a cold front dropping water temps below 48°F will kill topwater and shallow-cover bite almost entirely.
Flipping & Pitching: Slow flip to deep docks and boat lifts. Swim the bait down slowly on the fall.
Best Conditions
Thick grass mats, laydowns, dock pilings, boat houses, flooded bushes; murky water; spawn and post-spawn; summer shade
Watch the line, not the water. Set the hook the instant the line twitches or moves sideways — bass in cover bite and spit fast.
More Techniques for Cross Lake
Ready to fish Cross Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →