When to use different types of finesse baits

[Caiden24]

So I kind of made a post on this but I want to go more in depth now. I have been confused about when to throw for example a finesse jig vs like a shaky head. Because you can throw them in the same area but there is times when you want to use one vs the other but I don´t know when. I think of it kind of like if you really need a bite then go with a shaky head but if the fish are finicky but you still want to try catching bigger fish even though you might get less fish, then you should use a finesse jig. Is this right? Please correct me if I am wrong thanks! 

[Pat Brown]

I think it's a touch more abstract in practice.

 

It's like: do the fish want a little ball of hairy tentacles or a long stick today?

 

Sometimes you gotta throw a few things before you figure out what they'll bite and a lot of times it changes day to day.

[GRiver]

Here is what I would do, rig two or more poles with different bait finesse jig, shakey head. If your can’t bring two pole have it ready to retie.

Fish the same area with both, then move on, but 
then you got to ask yourself, “ wonder if I’m using the right color….. do they want junebug or green pumpkin”. 
 

 

[Caiden24]

7 hours ago, Pat Brown said:

I think it's a touch more abstract in practice.

 

It's like: do the fish want a little ball of hairy tentacles or a long stick today?

 

Sometimes you gotta throw a few things before you figure out what they'll bite and a lot of times it changes day to day.

Ok this makes sense. I get confused because I see so many videos that say “if it gets hard to catch fish then throw this” and so I don’t know what to throw out of those ?. Thanks!

6 hours ago, GRiver said:

Here is what I would do, rig two or more poles with different bait finesse jig, shakey head. If your can’t bring two pole have it ready to retie.

Fish the same area with both, then move on, but 
then you got to ask yourself, “ wonder if I’m using the right color….. do they want junebug or green pumpkin”. 
 

 

Ok got it I guess I will buy a couple different kinds so I can try different colors of each of the baits. Thanks!

[Fishin Dad]

The most important rule in bass fishing is………………..there are no rules.  
 

Really though, there are ideas and suggestions, but they are different for different people, lakes, fish, conditions, etc, etc, etc.  

I think you have to find finesse tactics that fit your area, conditions, style, and confidence level.  Most of them will work.  

 

[Captain Phil]

A good fishermen is prepared for all circumstances.  I always carry at least one spinning rod loaded with 8 pound mono as my finesse backup outfit.  I start out with my strongest presentation and move lighter as the bite dictates.  That said, finesse techniques are used in situations where you know fishing will be tough.  Extra clear water, cold front conditions and fishing pressure are among these.  Often just downsizing the bait is enough.  Sometimes it's a weightless soft plastic or both.  I don't fish shaky heads or jigs here in Florida.   My most productive finesse fishing is done with 4" finesse worms and lizards.  There was a time when I caught fish on tiny crankbaits and 1/8 oz spinnerbaits like the SOB.  These days, I'm looking for a few big fish instead of a limit.

[WRB]

To be honest I rarely use a shaky head jig-worm.

Finesse for me are soft plastics drop shot, slip shot, wacky nail weight and weightless Senko’s a high % of the time.

Finesse jig I use is the dart head-w/ 4 1/2 to 6” curl tail worm.

Left’s Lure Puff Ball jig w/ 2 1/2” trailer.

Jackall Flick Shake w/4.8 FlickShake worm.

Bass size depends on location and luck.

Tom

[Caiden24]

4 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

The most important rule in bass fishing is………………..there are no rules.  
 

Really though, there are ideas and suggestions, but they are different for different people, lakes, fish, conditions, etc, etc, etc.  

I think you have to find finesse tactics that fit your area, conditions, style, and confidence level.  Most of them will work.  

 

ok this helps, Thanks!

4 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

A good fishermen is prepared for all circumstances.  I always carry at least one spinning rod loaded with 8 pound mono as my finesse backup outfit.  I start out with my strongest presentation and move lighter as the bite dictates.  That said, finesse techniques are used in situations where you know fishing will be tough.  Extra clear water, cold front conditions and fishing pressure are among these.  Often just downsizing the bait is enough.  Sometimes it's a weightless soft plastic or both.  I don't fish shaky heads or jigs here in Florida.   My most productive finesse fishing is done with 4" finesse worms and lizards.  There was a time when I caught fish on tiny crankbaits and 1/8 oz spinnerbaits like the SOB.  These days, I'm looking for a few big fish instead of a limit.

ok thanks for the help!

3 hours ago, WRB said:

To be honest I rarely use a shaky head jig-worm.

Finesse for me are soft plastics drop shot, slip shot, wacky nail weight and weightless Senko’s a high % of the time.

Finesse jig I use is the dart head-w/ 4 1/2 to 6” curl tail worm.

Left’s Lure Puff Ball jig w/ 2 1/2” trailer.

Jackall Flick Shake w/4.8 FlickShake worm.

Bass size depends on location and luck.

Tom

Thanks Tom!

[WRB]

When to use finesse presentations depends on targeting keeper size 1 1/2# to 3# bass. Smaller soft plastics and jigs on light line with light weights requires slowing down and saturate the area in lieu of cover more water looking for active bass. 

I know from decades of experience my odds of casting big bass is during low light with low boat traffic and my go to lure is a jig w/pork trailer. Casting and fishing the jig is very similar to a precision finesse presentation except 7/16 oz jig with 5/0 hook and 12# FC line do to the water clarity.

Like finesse fishing you got to get bit for catching the bass.

Big bass will strike finesse lures but difficult to put them in boat using finesse tackle.

Bright over head sun between 10A to 2P is my finesse time period, unless sight fishing.

Tom

[roadwarrior]

16 hours ago, WRB said:

Bright over head sun between 10A to 2P is my finesse time period

 

                                                     

[KP Duty]

 I go by what I think bass are feeding on at that particular time of year.  Prespawn its a finesse jig or shakeyhead.   Spawn/post spawn followed by the bluegill spawn (when fry are around),  I like a 3.5" tube and a slider worm.