Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Lake Moomaw
Lake Moomaw · Virginia · Southeast
Nestled in the Alleghany Mountains, Lake Moomaw is a 2,530-acre impoundment known for its exceptional water clarity and cool temperatures. This mountain lake features steep, rocky banks, deep channels, and limited shallow cover, making it a distinct bass fishery in the southeastern United States.
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 Lake Moomaw
| 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 Lake Moomaw
Lake: Smallmouth bass push onto rocky points and secondary humps in 5-15 feet, responding well to suspending jerkbaits and football jigs as water temperatures approach the 50s.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Bass relate strongly to the thermocline, often suspending over deep humps or holding to brush piles and rock piles in 25-45 feet; topwater action occurs early and late.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Baitfish migrations stimulate aggressive feeding, with bass schooling on main lake points and creek channel swings, making spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Alabama Rigs highly effective.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Deep structure and vertical presentations are key as bass suspend or hug bottom in 40-60 feet, often biting slow-rolled jigs, blade baits, or jigging spoons.
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 Lake Moomaw
Ready to fish Lake Moomaw?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →