Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Rend Lake
Rend Lake · Illinois · Midwest
Rend Lake sits in Jefferson and Franklin counties in southern Illinois, impounded along the Big Muddy River drainage. The reservoir tends toward stained-to-clear water depending on season and rainfall, with a primary structure mix of submerged timber, flooded creek channels, and broad shallow flats that define its fishing character. Largemouth bass are the dominant target species, though the lake also carries a legitimate crappie and walleye fishery that draws regional pressure year-round.
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 Rend 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 Rend Lake
Lake: Largemouth push into shallow timber and brushy flats as water temps climb through the low 60s — the northern arms warm fastest and draw fish earliest. Shallow-running crankbaits and Texas-rigged creature baits around flooded wood in 3–8 ft produce well through the pre-spawn window.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Summer bass scatter across creek channel bends and suspend over submerged timber in 12–20 ft once the thermocline sets up in late July. Shad schools dictate movement — anglers working the main lake points and channel swings with deep-diving crankbaits or drop shots intercept fish that have abandoned the flats.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Shad migration pulls bass shallow again through September and October, making topwater and reaction baits productive along main lake points and the mouths of the back arms. Fish the 6–12 ft range over hard bottom and timber edges before the late-fall cooldown pushes them deeper.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Cold-water bass stack on the deeper creek channel bends in 18–28 ft, moving very little. A slow-rolled blade bait or a football jig dragged along the channel ledge in 55-degree water is more consistent than covering water aggressively — this lake's winter bite rewards patience over mobility.
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 Rend Lake
Ready to fish Rend Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →