Winter 2026
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jump up off the bottom and invoke a strike and can clear debris from collecting on the jig head.
Another excellent strolling lure is the Gamakatsu MaxEye Swim Head Jig rigged with a soft swimbait tail. Although designed primarily for walleye, it is an excellent strolling jig for bass with a swimbait to imitate baitfish swimming through the water column. Constant boat movement keeps the tail kicking and allows you to cover a lot of territory in search of bass.
JIG WEIGHTS, LINE CHOICE, AND CONDITIONS
In most cases the most effective strolling speed is just slow enough to feel your jig banging across the rocks. Many prefer 3/4 or 1-ounce jigs to easily feel the bottom composition and to keep a straight line between your rod tip and the jig. Personally, I prefer to stroll with light weight jigs, from 1/4- to 1/2- ounce (most often 3/8-ounce), but to use light weight jigs in deep water requires the use of small diameter braided line with a leader. I use 12-pound braid with 10-pound fluorocarbon leaders on my lightweight jigs. A spinning rod handles this light setup better than baitcasters which I utilize when strolling heavy football
or swim jigs, usually with 12-pound to 14-pound test fluorocarbon.
If the wind is blowing it is difficult to feel your jig bouncing across the bottom, and heavy jigs are the ticket. A heavy jig also makes more sound when impacting rocks, and kicks up the bottom silt, both actions often trigger strikes from inactive bass. On bluebird days with little or no wind, that is the time to use the spinning rod and lightweight jigs to stroll.
Carolina rigs can also be used for strolling, though a big disadvantage with the C-Rig is getting your main line damaged from dragging across the rocks. Be sure to check your line and re-tie if you find abrasion, especially just in front of your weight.
THE ENHANCED POWER OF STROLLING TODAY
Strolling has always been effective as an efficient way to cover a lot of territory when searching for bass. Strolling allows you to eat your lunch or take a break from casting and reeling while continuing to fish. But now with new age electronics and trolling motors with autopilot features, the age-old strolling technique is even more deadly. Give it a try. Ciao! •
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