Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on O.H. Ivie Reservoir
O.H. Ivie Reservoir · Texas · South Central
O.H. Ivie sits in the rolling mesquite country of Coleman and Concho counties, impounding the Colorado River to form a sprawling, wind-battered reservoir with highly variable water levels and exceptional trophy bass potential. Water clarity fluctuates from stained to surprisingly clear depending on inflow events, and the fishery holds a dominant Florida-strain largemouth population that uses deep creek channel swings, submerged timber, and rocky points as primary structure. Despite the drive required to reach it, Ivie consistently produces fish in the 8–12 lb class that most Texas reservoirs can no longer match.
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 O.H. Ivie 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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push from deep creek channel ledges into secondary points and flat timber pockets from late February through April, with the best big-fish window arriving when water temperatures cross 58–62°F. Rocky coves on the north end and submerged brush along the Concho River arm draw spawning fish and reward anglers throwing swimbaits and big soft plastics.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Heat drives bass to 18–28 ft creek channel breaks and suspended schools over timber, where a drop shot rigged with a 4-inch Roboworm Straight Tail or a 3/4 oz football jig dragged along hard bottom will out-produce anything run on the flats. Topwater action compresses into the first 30 minutes of light and the last 30 at dusk on calm mornings.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Shad migrations pull bass onto flatter secondary points and the upper arms of both the Colorado and Concho river channels, with schooling activity on the surface accelerating through October. A 3/8 oz white War Eagle spinnerbait or a Heddon Super Spook Jr. matched to the local threadfin shad size will connect with chasing fish throughout the day on overcast afternoons.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Water clarity improves markedly in winter and the big Florida-strain fish become their most catchable on slow, deliberate presentations — a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait on 10 lb fluorocarbon with 15-second-plus pauses, or a shakey head finesse rig in 15–25 ft of water over hard-bottom transition zones near the main river channel.
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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
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