How to Fish a Jig in Cold Water

Jigging is intended to mimic the behavior of the fish's prey, which makes the technique effective at luring bottom feeders. When the water is cold, the fish will be closer to the water's surface. Jig fishing in cold water is different than fishing in warmer water because the fish change their depth according to water temperature. Fish tend to be less active at this temperature, so reeling in a catch is easier.

Instructions

    • 1

      Position the lure so you are as closely over top of the fish as possible. This will allow you to mimic the behavior of the fish's prey by creating a vertical bobbing motion.

    • 2

      Let your jig sink to the bottom of the water. Reel it in by a couple feet. Move the rod up and down for one or two minutes.

    • 3

      Reel the rod in while continuing to jig. Take note of any depth that the fish grabs onto your lure.

    • 4

      Fish closer to the shore to test various depths. Fish tend to stick to shallow water when the temperature is cold. They move to the deeper area when the temperature is warm.

    • 5

      Switch jigs until you find what the fish are biting on. Fish will seek out lures that resemble prey in their natural habitat. Be wary that fish can also be particular about what time of day they eat, so you may have the right jig but the wrong time of day.