Power, Finesse, or Both?

[J Francho]

220, 221.  Whatever it takes.

[seyone]

I like power fishing, but I am a better finesse angler.  so both

[dragger201]

On 11/28/2016 at 11:00 PM, DrMarlboro92 said:

I mostly power fish. Power fishing isnt just about being fast, or throwing big heavy baits. Thats part of it, but its major roll in fishing is to quickly cover water in the most efficient way possible. You arent going to turn on inactive schools while power fishing, but you have a better chance of finding the ones the are biting quicker. when I'm out alone, or with someone who isn't new to the sport, I'm going to power fish. I want to hit as many spots as I can, and cover as much water as possible throughout the day. I feel like I can pattern better, and figure water out faster this way. 

This doesn't mean I NEVER finesse fish. sometimes this is what the fish want. It's also a lot easier on new anglers (I've been taking a lot lately) who want to fish and not roar down the lake 10 times. It's also easier to teach new fisherman finesse versus power fishing. 

Hey Dr...............that's kinda what I thought was meant by power or finesse bass fishing.  Sometimes I like the tournament style, cover lots of water (power) fishing in a full on bass boat.  Mostly I like my little jon boat and "hog" hunting, finessing around structure, bank wash outs, shallow water drop offs etc......working different baits, different angles etc etc.

[MBB Nate]

Mostly finesse.  I just enjoy fishing by feel.  I do more so now than I used to.  I think it's because this whole last spring and summer I spent most of my time fishing at night and it was like fishing blind.  I can pretty much map the bottom of the lake in my brain now.

[hoosierbass07]

I consider most hard baits like crankbaits and spinnerbaits power fishing and most soft plastics like Texas rigs finesse fishing.  I'm using 8 pound or six pound mono 99% of the time for my soft plastic Texas rigs.  

[Fisher-O-men]

On 12/2/2016 at 11:10 AM, J Francho said:

220, 221.  Whatever it takes.

Classic Mr. Mom!  Love it!

[Attila]

Out of the two options, I'm definitely a power fishing aficionado. Give me topwaters, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits any day.  I'll even throw the same for panfish like perch and crappies unless I feel like watching the slip float disappear.

[crypt]

both………..whatever works.

[bendem]

I've started with finesse on spinning gear. Next purchase will be a baitcaster and learning to flip and pitch.

[Swamp Rat]

A lot of great and interesting replies...also showing how we all interpret "power" and "finesse" somewhat differently.

The 6 rigs I ALWAYS have with me are at polar extremes. You will always find at least 2 frog rods and 1 rod with 10" or bigger worm/snake in my boat or kayak, all 3 having 65# braid. You will also always find 2 rods with 6# copolymer running either Slider head or texas rigged w/4-6" worm, small lizard, or small 3" craw on one, and 4" senko/fluke on the other. The final rod is a 7' M w/20# braid running a small swim jig. If it is mostly cloudy or rainy I will go to a bigger swim jig on the same rod.

I hardly ever throw anything in the middle because everyone else does, and the fish know those baits...doesn't mean they don't work, but I prefer throwing smaller or larger versions of those baits. I have another 20 rods to chose from to throw all kinds of things, but this is my preference.

[Derek Petter]

I enjoy power fishing the most, but finesse fishing gets me more bites in tournaments.

[WDE]

When I first started bass fishing years ago, and then recently when I picked the rods up again, I fished nothing but finesse. But over the past couple months I've been using a crankbait 99% of the time.

With about an hour and a half of sunlight after work today, I decided to try out using a jig with a craw trailer(never had much experience prior). It felt way too slow and I got bored after 30 minutes or so, and ultimately began doubting my ability with a finesse presentation anymore. So I tied on the crankbait and landed one a few casts later.

Crank/power has become such a reliable bait/method for me, that it's become a crutch; and I'm not really sure how I feel about it because in the long run, I feel that it's limiting my options and (potential)abilities.

Is it a bad thing to prefer one method to the other?

Edit: I feel should note that I'm strictly relegated to bank fishing. 

[Sam]

Both.

Depends on the factors that one has to take into consideration when deciding how to approach your targets.

I fix a mixture of both on every outing.

Merry Christmas!

[AndrewJ]

About 98% finesse fish due to the fact that it is what I catch fish on.  I try power fishing and rarely have success so I go back to what I am comfortable with. 

[Scarborough817]

On 11/26/2016 at 10:00 PM, Jeff H said:

Same.  Love it all but I'm a weak deep cranker.

i need to work on this too 

[GTHenson]

Both of course,

Versatility is a key part of bass fishing.  If I could power fish all the time I definitely would and at my home lake thats pretty much what you have to do on most days. But there are days when you have to downsize and slow that bait down a lot or you will come to the stage with a big goose egg. I try not to pick a favorite lure or technique just for the fact that I don't want to lean toward a specific technique or bait when the fish are wanting something different. 

[strvmmer]

My preference is a pool cue,50lb braid, and a jig, but lord knows I'll work a senko all day if that's what is working.

[tander]

Anything from a frog in the pads to a Ned Rig on a point. Love it all !!!

[frogflogger]

Both - but I put topwater in a category of its own -

[CTBassin860]

On 11/26/2016 at 8:29 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Both and everything in between , just don't make me fish a C-rig.

Never fished one in my life

I definitely lean toward power.But I'm determined to finesse fish more this year.I always switch up but power fishing gets me going.