Are Finesse Jigs Really Worth It?

[FinCulture]

I get that finesse fishing is a great bass fishing technique in a variety of situations, but I there anything about a finesse jig that gives it a more finesse action than a flipping jig? For finesse fishing, could you throw lighter flipping jigs and expect similar results, or is there something about a finesse jig that makes it better for this type of fishing?

[JeziHogg]

Generally finesse jigs have lighter hooks and less strands making them less intimidating when bass are on a slow bite.

 

 

[kickerfish1]

Yes, there are several I really like. Usually hair jigs or hair combined with silicone. For cold and clear water they are about all I use. I have 3 of the 3700 series boxes devoted to them.

[WRB]

Flipping a jig into heavy cover isn't finesse fishing, it's power fishing.

The term finesse has been hijacked and lost it's meaning regarding finesse bass fishing.

A 1/8 oz dart head jig with a 4 1/2" curl tail worm trailer is a finesse jig. Puff ball living rubber tied into a 1/4 oz ball head with a 101 spin frog is a finesse jig. A lion mane trimmed 1/2 oz Arkie jig with a craw trailer flipped or pitched into heavy cover isn't a finesse, although it's marketed as a finesse jig.

Finesse is a precision presentation....using light tackle, not precision targets using heavy tackle.

Finesse jigs work where they are intended to be used. Take a look at Glenn's Hula grub vedio, classic finesse jig presentation.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

It's not the action, it's the profile. Finesse jigs excel in clear water and for finicky fish or when they're targeting smaller forage. All of our local lakes get pounded and are very small with poor bass populations, so a finesse jig is often a great option as it was this past Friday.

[scaleface]

On of the best fish catchers I ever used was by Hales . A lightweight finnesse jig with wire weedguard and tube like body. It worked so well that I am slightly surprised  it didnt become a stalpe in everybodys tackle boxes.I still have a couple . I'll get a photo .

[smalljaw67]

I agree with a lot of what Tom said, that is why I make my own. I love the Eakins finesse jig but as Tom had mentioned, 7/16oz which is basically 1/2oz, isn't finesse for me but they do work well so I make the same one only I scaled it down to 1/8oz, 3/16oz, and 1/4oz.  I like a small craw trailer on the back and I like to use a thinner weed guard and cast to rock flats and then drag it to mimic a craw scurrying from rock to rock, it works incredible well. I make a dozen different kinds of finesse jigs from small puffballs to Eakins type and they all have a time and place, it is a great addition to worms and they also help me save and get more out of my soft plastics. I use straight tail finesse worm and when they get torn up I don't throw them out, I keep them in a separate bag and then I cut the heads off and use the tails for trailers on my small finesse jigs that resemble the Keitech mono spin jig, killer finesse presentation.

[scaleface]

Heres those jigs I was referring to . I used Hales craw worms as trailers .

 

[poisonokie]

Dude, heck yeah if that's what they're biting.

[Bankbeater]

A 1/8 ounce finesse jigs pull through the hydrilla and milfoil much easier than a 1/2, or even a 3/8 jig.  It also has a slower drop when you pull it across a hole in the weeds. 

[5fishlimit]

If you are unsure about finesse jigs then I would recommend you start out with the Strike King Bitsy Jig. They are usually available for under $2.50, but some stores will sell them for $1.99.

 

Try them out and decide for yourself!

[FinCulture]

I'm grabbing one in my TW order, should I do 1/8 or 1/4?

[Smokinal]

^^^Split the difference and go 3/16

[scaleface]

Ive used the 1/8th ounce bitsy bugs quite a bit. To aid in  casting I mostly use half a Senko type worm as a trailer.  Its a nice combination . A jig doesnt have to  have a crawfish trailer .

[ww3869]

The booyah baby boo jigs are great compact little jigs and seem to be slightly better quality than the strike king bitsy bug jigs.

[Fishes in trees]

Son - Finesse jig versus Flipping jig = two different tools, for use in different situations.   Different weights - different size & strength of hooks, different lb. test and types of line used, and so forth.   I guess if you looked enough you could find some overlap between the two types of jigs, and the conditions you might use them under,  but for the most part, not so much.

[Primus]

As Fishes in tress mentioned they typically have a smaller hook which lends itself to a smaller trailer , the Strike King Baby Rage Craw works very well when a smaller profile is needed . 

[Trenton]

I love my santone lure finesse jigs. Local lake I fish a lot on has a ton of rocks on the breast of the d**n it goes from 2' - 20' and we kill them on jig, shakeyheads, and now the Ned rig, all finesse style rigs.