Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on John Martin Reservoir
John Martin Reservoir · Colorado · West
John Martin Reservoir sits on the Arkansas River near Hasty, Colorado, impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers primarily for flood control and irrigation — which means water levels fluctuate dramatically season to season. The reservoir trends turbid to stained throughout most of the year, with a flat, prairie-basin morphology broken by submerged creek channels, riprap shorelines, and sparse woody cover. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and wipers (hybrid striped bass) share the fishery, making it one of southeastern Colorado's most diverse angling options.
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 John Martin Reservoir
| 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 John Martin Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into the shallower riprap and any available brushy cover as water temps climb through the low 60s, typically late April into May. Lipless crankbaits like the Strike King Red Eye Shad in 1/2 oz worked along rocky points produce aggressive strikes before bass move to whatever limited spawning flats are available at the current pool level.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Summer concentrates bass and walleye on the deeper submerged creek channel edges in 12–22 ft of water as surface temps push into the mid-70s. Anglers fishing bottom-contact presentations — a 1/2 oz football jig on 15 lb fluorocarbon or a drop shot with a 4-inch Roboworm — find fish that have vacated the wind-blasted shallow flats.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Fall triggers some of the most reliable feeding windows of the year as shad and other forage stack in creek channel bends and the main basin narrows toward the dam. Swimbaits and medium-diving crankbaits like the Strike King Series 5 in shad patterns cover water efficiently during October's transition period.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Winter drawdowns for irrigation delivery can pull water levels substantially, concentrating fish in the remaining deeper basin. Slow-rolled jigging spoons and drop shot rigs on 10 lb fluorocarbon in 15–25 ft are the consistent winter producers; the fishery receives almost no pressure during this window.
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 John Martin Reservoir
Ready to fish John Martin Reservoir?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →