Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Stillhouse Hollow Lake · Texas · South Central
This US Army Corps of Engineers impoundment near Killeen is known for its deep, clear water and diverse cover, including standing timber, rock bluffs, and dense hydrilla beds. Anglers encounter both robust largemouth and a respectable population of smallmouth bass throughout the year.
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 Stillhouse Hollow 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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Lake: Largemouth move to shallower hydrilla beds and creek arm pockets for spawning, with consistent bites on soft plastics like a Zoom Trick Worm and shallow crankbaits.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Bass migrate to deep hydrilla edges, main lake points, and standing timber, often requiring deep jigging spoons, dropshots, and Carolina rigs in 20-35 feet.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: As water temperatures cool, bass school up on threadfin and gizzard shad, moving into creek channels and flats, creating opportunities for topwater and reaction baits.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Fish concentrate on deep main lake humps, bluff walls, and the lower ends of creek channels, responding to slow-rolled umbrella rigs, suspending jerkbaits, and football jigs in 30-50 feet.
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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake
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