Finesse Fishing

[Rich_G05]

Hey everyone!  I'm brand new to bass fishing and have been reading a ton from this website but some things are still a little confusing.  I have a 6' medium action fast tip spinning rod and using 8# mono.  I'd like to get into finesse fishing after reading that this would probably be a good setup to get started on.  I've been wanting to try Texas rigs and split shot and read you should use light hooks.  My biggest question is what kind of hooks are light wire hooks?  I was looking at gamagatsu 1/0 offset hooks to use for finesse worms but are those considered light wire?  The package didn't really say anything.  Also, could I use worm hooks for spilt shot or should I only use drop/split shot hooks?  I know these are totally newbie questions but I thank you for the advice!     

[jeremyryanwebb]

As far as when I t-rig.....I usually use a 3/0 size hook.  It is a pretty good size for any size fish that you may come across on your average day on the water.

[keith71]

Light wire means thin gauge wire for the Gamakatsu makes a great light wire hook and I personally like a 2/0 for a 4" worm.

[gallowaypt]

Gamagatsu 1/0 should work great with trick worms and smaller worms 4-6 inches.

[Felix77]

"My biggest question is what kind of hooks are light wire hooks?"

 

Best represented in a picture ... With everything else being equal the difference between a light wire hook and a heavy wire hook is the thickness of the "wire" used to make the hook.  It will vary by brand.  Here's a pic of 3 hooks offered by VMC.  Lightest to thickest.

 

 

The suggestions above about what hook size etc. are spot on.  

 

IMHO - When judging for yourself just keep in mind that if you are finesse fishing the size of the hook (1/0 vs. 3/0 vs/ 4/0) correlates to what bait you are going to use.  The thickness of the "wire" correlates to the technique

 

Finesse = thinnest wire hook

Punching Heavy cover = thickest wire hook.

 

 

Hope this helps.

[5dollarsplash]

Well put Felix.

[FrogFreak]

The only thing I would add here is that I would go with the lightest gauge you can when finesse fishing. It's simple physics. It's easier to get a good hook set with a smaller diameter hook. And yes, you can catch big ole fish with light gauge hooks. I just caught a 40 inch Northern on a small VMC #2 drop shot hook. 

 

Note: I like to go to the store and look at the hook size. It seems size varies a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer. 

[gravestone]

Hey everyone!  I'm brand new to bass fishing and have been reading a ton from this website but some things are still a little confusing.  I have a 6' medium action fast tip spinning rod and using 8# mono.  I'd like to get into finesse fishing after reading that this would probably be a good setup to get started on.  I've been wanting to try Texas rigs and split shot and read you should use light hooks.  My biggest question is what kind of hooks are light wire hooks?  I was looking at gamagatsu 1/0 offset hooks to use for finesse worms but are those considered light wire?  The package didn't really say anything.  Also, could I use worm hooks for spilt shot or should I only use drop/split shot hooks?  I know these are totally newbie questions but I thank you for the advice!     

 

 

If that's what you the rod you have I would use it. Is it the optimal rod ,IMO no ,will it work, sure.

As far as the hooks you mention they'll work fine. I use the same hook except in 2/0. My finesse worm is 6" so if you're using a 4" worm the 1/0 might be a better choice. Gammie hooks are pretty light wire except for their "superline" hooks.

[Rich_G05]

Thanks for the great answers guys.  I'm definitely going to try this weekend and see what happens.  Hopefully I'll catch something.  

[Bass Junkie]

I personally like the Gamagatsu G-Lock worm hooks for what you are doing