A change in my approach to bass angling...

[DitchPanda]

 So for years I was mainly a typical power fisherman...spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, top waters and jigs. This past season I dedicated myself to getting more proficient at finesse fishing...and against my initial thoughts towards finesse I actually really began to enjoy it as much as power fishing.

 I also will ad that although my numbers of top end fish was lower this year..not sure if this was attributed to my tactics or just drought related...the positive was in the numbers I caught in the dog days. Typical summer outings around here can result in a skunk or maybe 1-2 fish...I'd say I averaged 3-5 fish an outing this summer.

 Because of all of this I spent as much time with a spinning rod in my hand this past year as I did a baitcaster..something that is new to me. Even though I spent all that time toting the sissy stick fairy wand I feel as though I turned a corner in my fishing adding alot of tools to the box and I don't feel like I lost any manliness despite popular belief.

 

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

toting the sissy stick fairy wand

 

   What the ....... ?

 

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

I don't feel like I lost any manliness despite popular belief.

 

   Popular belief? Popular with whom?  Idiots?        jj

[DitchPanda]

15 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   What the ....... ?

 

 

   Popular belief? Popular with whom?  Idiots?        jj

Yes...idiots. Its been discussed on here before that many tough guy macho fisherman think using a spinning rod is for wimps. Those are usually the guys getting beat in tournaments by 75 guys using spinning gear. Pride comes before the fall.

[Skunkmaster-k]

I wish I had a fairy wand. One wave of my wand and gas prices would be what they were 2years ago. Just kidding. I know what you’re referring to. Anyone who says they don’t finesse fish is missing the bus. 

[geo g]

Good for you, stay after them and slow down!  Numbers will go up!

[schplurg]

3 of my "fairy wands" even have Pflueger Lady Presidents on them because I got them brand new at clearance prices of 66% off, straight from Pflueger. Pretty much identical to regular Presidents except a bearing or two (or maybe they're the same?) and the color (kind of salmon-ish).

 

Caught many 4-5 pounders on them including the one in my avatar photo.

[islandbass]

2 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

 So for years I was mainly a typical power fisherman...spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, top waters and jigs. This past season I dedicated myself to getting more proficient at finesse fishing...and against my initial thoughts towards finesse I actually really began to enjoy it as much as power fishing.

 I also will ad that although my numbers of top end fish was lower this year..not sure if this was attributed to my tactics or just drought related...the positive was in the numbers I caught in the dog days. Typical summer outings around here can result in a skunk or maybe 1-2 fish...I'd say I averaged 3-5 fish an outing this summer.

 Because of all of this I spent as much time with a spinning rod in my hand this past year as I did a baitcaster..something that is new to me. Even though I spent all that time toting the sissy stick fairy wand I feel as though I turned a corner in my fishing adding alot of tools to the box and I don't feel like I lost any manliness despite popular belief.

 

Good for you! ? I’ve actually gone the other way. I’ve been hanging out on the finesse end (primarily drop shot) and I got hooked on it like a drug that I really couldn’t use or desire to try other techniques. My transition to start going to the heavier or power side of bass fishing started in 2018 and this season I’ve seen growth in learning and experience. This “heavier” power side is freaking incredible. Maybe we’ll see each other in passing, as you go from power to finesse and vice versa for me, lol. 

[DitchPanda]

I feel like versatility is the key to be successful all season.Gotta have finesse and power or your missing bites.

[islandbass]

@DitchPanda  So true! That’s what I am learning. Man was I missing a lot!

[GreenPig]

Excellent. 

[FryDog62]

I ventured to the dark side of finesse fishing after years of power fishing. Small/light lures and BFS saved my season this year...

[CrankFate]

On 12/10/2021 at 7:22 PM, DitchPanda said:

 manliness.

 

I’m sorry, but for what it’s worth, it takes more of a man to land a monster with a “fairy stick” than it does with a broomstick. I consider ultralight and lighter than what is supposed to be fished with to be the true “power” fishing.

[volzfan59]

1 hour ago, schplurg said:

3 of my "fairy wands" even have Pflueger Lady Presidents on them because I got them brand new at clearance prices of 66% off, straight from Pflueger. Pretty much identical to regular Presidents except a bearing or two (or maybe they're the same?) and the color (kind of salmon-ish).

 

Caught many 4-5 pounders on them including the one in my avatar photo.

Assuming they are the same size, the only difference between a Lady President and a President is the color.

 

A read an ebook years ago concerning lite line, finesse fishing. Pretty much changed my entire outlook on bass fishing.

[Chris Catignani]

┌

[Bankbeater]

Around here a spinning setup with a 3" or 4" bait usually saves the day.  Weightless and split shot rigs are my two best presentations.

[Jaderose]

I'm assuming this post is mostly tongue-in-cheek.  If not, I couldn't begin to understand the thinking.  I consider my gear to be tools and using them to be craft.  Sometimes you need a jeweler's screwdriver, sometimes you need a sledgehammer.  Just depends on the job at hand.

[ironbjorn]

I've gone more power fishing as the industry has gone more finesse fishing, with great results.

[Hook2Jaw]

I am very quick to pick up an egg beater if the fish aren't slapping moving baits.  Congrats on the revelation! 

[scaleface]

The way I fish is constantly evolving . When I went to Bull Shoals last spring , spinning gear came into play but my home waters they were used minimally . 

[the reel ess]

There's a time and place for every style. I enjoy the power fishing. But I'll get finnessy when I have to. Honestly, if I can still catch a few power fishing, that's what I'm going to do.

[Bird]

I skip much better around docks and under overhangs with spinning reels.

All my finesse fishing is done with lighter line, lighter rods and reels, all done on spinning reels. 

 

I give a slight nod to power fishing but mixing it up when conditions dictate can be beneficial. 

 

I'm a 50/50 kinda guy.....50% wimp and 50% absolute stud. Lol

[DitchPanda]

1 hour ago, Jaderose said:

I'm assuming this post is mostly tongue-in-cheek.  If not, I couldn't begin to understand the thinking.  I consider my gear to be tools and using them to be craft.  Sometimes you need a jeweler's screwdriver, sometimes you need a sledgehammer.  Just depends on the job at hand.

What part don't you understand?

[WRB]

Spinning tackle for bass fishing went nation wide when the late Aaron Martens move east to fish the B.A.S.S. Elite circuit around 2000. Aaron won televised tournaments using the drop shot presentation with spinning tackle. Today it’s hard to find a bass pro without spinning tackle on the deck along with casting tackle. Reason; catching bass is the goal and sometimes it takes finesse presentations to be competitive.

Tom

[bowhunter63]

Finesse bass fishing is a blast. I love it on the river chasing Smallies. Sometimes it’s the most productive way to catch em 

[Junk Fisherman]

20 hours ago, islandbass said:

Good for you! ? I’ve actually gone the other way. I’ve been hanging out on the finesse end (primarily drop shot) and I got hooked on it like a drug that I really couldn’t use or desire to try other techniques. My transition to start going to the heavier or power side of bass fishing started in 2018 and this season I’ve seen growth in learning and experience. This “heavier” power side is freaking incredible. Maybe we’ll see each other in passing, as you go from power to finesse and vice versa for me, lol. 

 

This describes me as well.  Over the last couple years I have become primarily a finesse fisherman and while I catch a lot of fish doing it, I don't catch the big largemouth others do (my smallmouth on finesse is great however).  But I started working with someone this year who is an excellent power fisherman and I have seen by fishing the same water on the same days as he does how many quality fish he gets with jerkbaits, A-rigs, and chatterbaits.   He'll consistently have a top 5 of 15-18 lbs where I am in the 10-12 lb range.  I'm never going to abandon my finesse and it'll always be a strength but my eyes have been opened this year as to the quality of fish I miss out on by not power fishing when the fish are active.