Member of the Kick'n BassŪ Pro-Staff
Rick's Chauffeured Guide Service
Table Rock Lake
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Point
www.strikebass.com
Finesse Fishing
Imagine this, you feel the subtle tap on your most sensitive spinning rod with 6 pound
test mono. Then, WHAM! You set the hook with the swiftness of a lion pouncing on his prey.
The medium action rod is bent in a full circle, just enough give for the lightest of lines
but enough backbone to slam the light wire hook in the steel jaws of a lunker bass. The
drag starts singing as you feel the head shaking of a huge bass on the other end of what
seems like a thread separating you from your respected quarry. You quickly release the
anti reverse to manually fight your prospective catch, relying on skill and expertise to
back reel when your mama hawg jaw makes those last minute runs at the boat. Then, PANIC,
you feel the telltale sign that your line is hung around a limb you confidently release
all pressure. Like a miracle from God your quarry swims free, you gingerly finish the
battle knowing your line has some damage from the unsuspected limb. Slowly bending over
the gunnel, you grab her with your hand, then unsure you reach with the other lifting that
beautiful fish out of the water. Admiring her for a few seconds you gently ease her back
watching her slowly swim back to her deep-water lair.
'Rick, with a couple nice finesse bass' |
Thats what finesse fishing is all about! You are literally one on one with the bass. I like to call it feel fishing. With a sensitive rod and a soft touch you can detect those subtle bites that most fail to detect. My favorite finesse fishing rod is a custom built rod by Grandt Rods. Jim Grandt makes his own blanks with a 70 million modulus graphite material which are the finest and most sensitive, lifetime warranty, rods on the market. This rod paired with a ultra smooth Shimano Sedona 2000 makes a deadly combo. Fishing with a instrument like this (retail combo $200) is definitely worth the money. |
Your fishing line is the most important link between you and the fish.
Using a good quality limp monofilament is extremely important for finesse fishing. You
need your line to lay down with ease and not twist. Properly spooling your line on your
spinning reel is crucial making sure the line comes off the spool the same way it goes on
the reel. Spooling your reel this way will help you some of the headaches that frustrate
anglers. I use Excel Mono 6# test or 8# test in the green color, which works well in the
clear waters of Table Rock Lake. Using green line makes you rely more on your sense of
touch since it is hard to see against the clear water.
Your selection of lures can vary, from small worms, French frys, bass jigs to 1/4oz.
jigging spoons. You can use most anything for finesse style fishing. Probably the heaviest
finesse bait I use is a 1/4oz. spider jig. The lightest I trust in is a weightless French
fry. Both can be awesome when used in certain situations. Precise presentation of your
lure is a must and casting these light lures takes a lot of practice. Most of my finesse
fishing is down around boat docks or brush piles. Occasionally I fish deep cedar trees,
with a slider rig and a 4-inch finesse worm. Sharp hooks and a good hook set is a key. If
the bass gets you down in the thick of things the only thing you can do is give the fish
line and pray. Many times the fish will swim out of the tree or dock. Other times
"snap" and shes gone. Finesse fishing is a style of fishing more
than a type. Slow and deliberate concentration a key, the touch a must. A good finesse
angler is hard to fish behind unless you watch the anglers every move. Throw between
casts, watch his presentation and vary your presentation slightly. That makes the
difference between catching a bass behind him or going fishless. The best way to learn is
to fish with a finesse style fisherman. Watch the anglers every move and observe his
techniques. Any Angler can learn from another, even the best can learn from a novice. A
particular instance comes to mind, although not while finesse fishing, but while fishing
Zara Spooks in a Mid-West Bass Regional tournament at Lake of the Ozarks. I was on some
good bass, fishing a spook. I told my amateur partner to rig up a spook. We arrived at my
honey hole, I threw the spook out methodically walking the dog, not missing a beat. I made
about 5 casts before my amateur partner reared back and let go, causing a huge backlash in
his reel. I ask him if he needed help he said no. After about what seemed like a minute he
jerked the spook inadvertently, then WHAM a huge bass swirled at his spook, he jerked the
spook back to the boat in one motion. Thinking it was just a fluke I continued fishing.
The very next cast, he got another backlash though this time not so bad. He pulled
it out and the instant he moved the spook another bass inhaled it this time. Just a little
shy of being a keeper I knew it wasnt a fluke this time. My next cast I let it sit
there for what seemed like 30 seconds then before I moved it a good keeper inhaled it. I
went on to win the 2-day tournament thanks to my partner's backlash. Although he never
fished a spook before this tournament, my partner taught me a great new way to present
this lure.
There is a couple of different techniques I use will finesse fishing. The slow crawl
method, the jiggle method, (my favorite) and the dead stick method. All have their niches
and times they work best. Remember finesse fishing is not a type of fishing, but a
style of fishing.