Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Raystown Lake
Raystown Lake · Pennsylvania · Northeast
Raystown Lake sits in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. The reservoir stretches nearly 30 miles through a steep mountain canyon, producing a mix of deep rocky ledges, submerged timber, clay-bank coves, and point structure that suits both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Water clarity leans toward the clearer end for Pennsylvania impoundments — often 8–15 feet of visibility — and the forage base is built around shad, crayfish, and a healthy population of yellow perch.
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 Raystown 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 Raystown Lake
Lake: As water temperatures climb through the 55–65°F range in April and May, smallmouth stack on secondary points and rocky transitions in 8–18 feet, staging ahead of the spawn. Largemouth push into the coves and target flooded brush in 4–8 feet; a swimbait or jerkbait worked along the first major drop off a clay bank flat will intercept both species.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Stratification pushes most quality smallmouth to main-lake points and ledge structure in 20–35 feet once the thermocline locks in around late June. A drop shot with a Roboworm or Zoom Finesse Worm fished on a tight line over 25–30 foot rock transitions is the dominant mid-summer pattern; early-morning topwater activity on baitfish schools near the dam area can be exceptional.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Falling water temps through September and October trigger a hard shad migration into the upper end of the lake and the major creek arms, pulling bass shallow in a hurry. Anglers working topwater walking baits like the Spook Jr. or a Strike King Sexy Dawg along bait schools can put together high-count mornings before surface activity shuts down by mid-October.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Raystown fishes slowly but honestly in winter — smallmouth school tight to the deepest available rock in 35–50 feet. A football jig dragged at near-zero speed or a blade bait like a Swedish Pimple worked vertically over confirmed sonar marks is about as reliable as it gets when water temps drop below 45°F.
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 Raystown Lake
Ready to fish Raystown Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →