Jig (Casting & 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.
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 Cross 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 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.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
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.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
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.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
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.
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 Cross Lake
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