Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Roosevelt Lake
Roosevelt Lake · Arizona · West
Roosevelt Lake sits at the confluence of the Salt and Tonto rivers in the Tonto National Forest, impounded by Theodore Roosevelt Dam and covering up to 17,000 acres at full pool. The lake is defined by dramatic canyon walls, submerged brush and timber in the back-coves, long rocky points, and a major flat-to-channel transition that produces multi-species action year-round. Water clarity swings from stained in the upper arms after monsoon rains to gin-clear in the main lake during winter and early spring.
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 Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt Lake
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into the brushy upper arms of the Salt and Tonto arms from late February through April as water temps climb through the 58–68°F range; shallow rocky flats in 3–8 ft hold the biggest fish, and a swim jig or Zoom Speed Craw on a 3/8 oz Texas rig both produce. Smallmouth stage on the steeper rocky points in 10–18 ft before migrating shallower.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Intense desert heat pushes bass deep by late June; main-lake points and channel ledges in 20–35 ft hold suspended fish near the thermocline, and a drop shot or deep-diving crankbait like the Strike King 6XD accounts for most catches during midday. Early-morning topwater around shaded canyon walls remains productive through late July before surface temps exceed 90°F.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Cooling water in October and November triggers a strong shad-driven feed, with largemouth and stripers blowing up on threadfin shad schools along the main lake points and creek channel swings; a Heddon Super Spook Jr. or a 3/4 oz white umbrella rig at 12–20 ft covers both species. The Tonto arm backs down first and often produces the best fall largemouth action.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Winter is Roosevelt's most underrated season — cold clear water (55–62°F in December and January) concentrates smallmouth on main-lake rocky points and the dam face in 15–25 ft, where a Megabass Vision 110+1 on a 15-second pause or a 1/4 oz football jig with a Keitech Swing Impact Fat 3.3" trailer outfishes nearly everything else. Largemouth school up on submerged brush in the cove transitions and respond well to a slow-rolled swimbait.
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 Roosevelt Lake
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