Entry 232-2
How to Catch Bass in January with James Niggemeyer
Editor’s Note: James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, guides on Lake Fork, one of the nation’s top trophy-bass lakes. Niggemeyer, one of the newest members of Strike King’s Pro Fishermen team. This week he’ll tell us how to catch January bass.
Part 2: Jig Up January Bass
Question: What is your second-best January tactic?
Niggemeyer: I like to use some type of jig, either Strike King’s new Football Head Jig or the Strike King Pro Elite Series jig. At this time of the year, I prefer either a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce jig. I like to test the jig out with two different sizes of jig to try and determine how fast the bass want the jig to fall. If the bass want a fast-falling jig, I go with a heavier lead head. If they bite better on a slow-falling jig, I use the lighter weight.
One of my favorite places to fish the jig during January is under boathouses. Those big pres-pawn bass will move under boathouses and get in that shallow water at this time of year. I like to fish the jig around the pylons of a boathouse. Many times you’ll find brush either inside the boathouse, around the pylons of the boathouse or out in front of the boathouse. So when I locate that brush, I try and work it thoroughly with my jig. In January, you can catch that bass of a lifetime fishing a Strike King jig at Lake Fork.
Question: What’s your favorite color of jig to fish in January?
Niggemeyer: Without question, the best color is black and blue. For a trailer, I like the Strike King Denny Brauer Chunk. 
But I’m also anxious to start fishing the new Strike King Rage Tail Craw that’s just been introduced this year. I think the new Rage Trail Craw is really going to be a great trailer for the jig in January because it looks so much like a crawfish. And, crawfish will be one of the primary baits the bass are eating.
Question: On what pound test line will you be fishing?
Niggemeyer: Either 20- or 25-pound-test fluorocarbon line is my favorite. Braided line will also work at this time of the year, but I really believe you’ll get more bites on fluorocarbon than you will on braided line.
You can contact James Niggemeyer at P.O. Box 146, Mineola, TX 75773 or by calling (903) 312-0780 (www.lakeforkproguide.com).
Next: Spin Up Monster Bass
Contents:
- Part 1: Give Bass the Red Eye
- Part 2: Jig Up January Bass
- Part 3: Spin Up Monster Bass
- Part 4: Zero Out on Big Bass
- Part 5: Give Big Bass an “S” This Month
