question How does finesse fishing work good?

[Bankc]

35 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Not this one……

Yeah, I've got a mutt that looks like he might be a cross between a yorkie and doxon that won't chase a ball or even chew on a toy.  Never has.  He just doesn't like to play.  All he does is eat, sleep, and bark. 

But I saw him catch a bird in flight once.  He just jumped up and grabbed it out of mid air.  I'm not sure if he was hunting it or just annoyed that it got close. 

[Swamp Girl]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

If you throw a ball, your dog chases after it.  That's because your dog is a predator and it's in its instinct to chase down prey that is trying to escape.  If you drop down a plate of food, the dog eats it.  That's because it's a predator and it's also in its instinct to conserve energy and eat an easy meal when it's available.  Most predators have two modes, lie around and conserve energy and actively hunt. 

 

Same with fish.  Sometimes they have to be coaxed into eating, by the sight of fleeing prey that triggers their instincts to hunt.  Sometimes, they're not in the mood to chase, but will still eat something that's look delicious and easy. 

 

Great analogy.

[Caiden24]

9 hours ago, islandbass said:

I think your current perception of what finesse fishing is not accurate.  
 

Finesse fishing isn’t a do-nothing style. Far from it. To me, finesse fishing usually involves going down in bait size, line strength or both. 

 

Bass aren’t  as active as you described 100% of the time. They can be inactive or less active or could be a skittish, cautious state or so pressured by power fishing that they might not be willing to bite on those bigger baits. 
 

This is where finesse just might work. We’re offering something different (smaller in scale/size) than recent things they might have grown to be reluctant to bite or snatch. 
 

And from that old rap song whose title I have forgotten but there’s that line, “And please don’t knock it, until you try it.” 😎

Ok thanks for your help. This makes more sense

[king fisher]

Here in Mexico, the only finesse technique I use is finessing my wife in to thinking instead of doing chores, I should go fishing for the weekend.  In that regards, finesse works way better than any power technique.

[Caiden24]

3 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Caiden24, I suggest you Google Charlie Brewer, Billy Westmoreland, Guido Hibdon, and Don Iovino. There are more. Look these guys up and read about how they fished finesse style.               You can learn how finesse fishing got started and, the how and why of it all. Learning about these guys can help you get a better understanding of finesse bass fishing. The term different meanings to different folks these days.

Ok, I will do that. Thanks

[WRB]

History of the term finesse regarding bass fishing was 1st used by Micheal Jones defining the technique west coast tournament anglers Don Iovino and Dick Trask were fishing.

Don Iovino is in the Hall of Fame as the father of finesse fishing. Neither Don or Trask used spinning tackle during 80’s when the finesse term was 1st coined.

Don primarily doodled shaking brass n glass T-rigged small 4-5” straight tail hand poured worms. Dick was a spilt shot and dart head jig fisherman using Mister Twister and later Flutter Craft 4 1/2” curl tail worms.

Don targeted bass near it on structure, Trask mostly suspended bass. Both used mono line 5# and 6# using highly turned Bsit casting reels and custom medium power fast action Phenix rods.

Spinning tackle followed because it was available to everyone else who started finesse bass fishing.

To me bass behave as individuals that often group up to take advantage bait fish as prey. Like all predators bass are not always active feeding, in fact they rest more then hunt. Active bass are feeding bass, neutral bass are resting bass and sleeping bass are inactive not catchable imo.

Finesse presentations can be used to catch both active and neutral bass, more often targeting neutral bass that may respond to lures in their face whereas active bass will case lures.

Tom

PS, read my Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar.

 

[Spankey]

There are guys who will throw the “finesse” term around with crankbait fishing. Can’t say that I can do that. Though the crankbaits I fish most are not that big (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 5/8 & 3/4 oz.) and some are XD baits. 
Possibly it refers to UL crankbaits that are 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz. baits primarily used for trout or crappies. But I have heard the term thrown around about finesse crankbaits. I’ll throw some 5/16 oz. and 3/8 oz. Shad Raps regularly for river smallies but don’t think it’s finesse. 

[islandbass]

40 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Here in Mexico, the only finesse technique I use is finessing my wife in to thinking instead of doing chores, I should go fishing for the weekend.  In that regards, finesse works way better than any power technique.

Ah, the other kind of Finessing. Light lines definitely have the advantage here, 😝

 

@Caiden24: I hope you give it a try. You might be very surprised at its effectiveness. A seasoned bass angler should be adept in all techniques suited for their area. For example a soccer or basketball player is only “half” a player if they can only dribble on one side. They need to be good dribblers from the left or right side. Or know both sides of a cassette tape -  Power fishing - Side A Finesse fishing Side B

 

And to everyone else, what song is that line from, “And please don’t knock it, until you’ve tried it,” it’s killing me that I can’t recall it and it’s repeating in my head like a broken record. 

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

I have interpreted finesse fishing as a combination of smaller baits, lighter gear (thinner line, sensitive rod) presented in a more relaxed way. All this provides more opportunity for strikes. It can include extended pauses where little to no angler action is provided but not exclusive to that.

 

Over the years of angling this approach has resulted in more catching for me. The more relaxed approach is better suited for my recreational objective.

 

As an example, my typical setup is generally considered Ultra Lite. This applies to the 4 pound mono, the light action rod, and soft plastic baits that are 3 inches or smaller in size. This is generally worked low and slow. Slow does not mean just stopped, although extended pauses are helpful. I am reluctant to move the bait too far or too fast. This maximizes interest and opportunity for a strike. It is not a preferred approach for everyone but it does produce a lot of catching.

 

It occurred to me many years ago where I would read and hear about so many instances where someone makes a cast and something distracts them, a backlash or etc, for some time only to realize a fish is "on-line". Hey, there is something to that where you let the bait settle for a bit more. I started deliberately slowing down and downsizing the baits. I caught more using simple low cost baits. All good for me, right? That continued success using this theme is why I still use that approach to catch fish of all sizes. Yes, the drama of fish larger than line capacity is thrilling, which is one of the many reasons we go fishing. I don't only finesse fish but most of my angling is.

 

Another example is from my youth in watching the response of fish when presented a bait. Often there is not an instant fish strike as it takes time for fish to wander over and investigate something that just fell in the water or in their area of interest. Depending on the mood or environment, having the bait not moved by the angler can result in an eventual strike. I also watched the difference between the style of movement. Bold movements didn't always result in a strike. Sometimes a too dramatic change simply resulted in loss of interest or created a startle response. Not helpful for catching fish. Smoother movements were less threatening and often resulted in those triggering responses.

 

Lastly I enjoy angling, I also don't want to work too hard to recreate. By using lighter weight gear it is more enjoyable for me. I catch fish, I also don't struggle to hold a heavy rig for all that time. I find I have better feel with a lower mass setup. That feel helps me figure out if I'm in the weeds, rocks, mud, etc.

 

I hope this information and that of all the others providing their inputs, has improved the understanding and in someway helped to improve the catching! Be well, and Cheers!

 

[gim]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Not this one

 

Or this one.

 

 

[WRB]

The. Midwest* style of finesse bass pre dates the western techniques but wasn’t called finesse bass fishing until Micheal Jones used it.

The difference is the lake types being fished where western lakes are deep structure highland vs Midwest being shallower hill land type lakes. 
Charlie Brewer slider jig/worm and Ned Kehde Beatle Spin and currently Ned rig are examples of Midwest finesse. What both Midwest and West have in common is light line presentations.

Tom

* The Midwest members can dive deep into this style of finesse bass fishing.

[Tennessee Boy]

Growing up in Nashville Tennessee I started bass fishing in the  early 70s and learned Eastern and Western finesse fishing.  Eastern finesse was pioneered east of Nashville by Billy Westmorland.   Western finesse was pioneered west of Nashville by Charlie Brewer.  Charlie said he got the idea for Slider fishing one day when he saw two boy’s that had caught a bunch of fish with very small lures.  
 

I recognize those two boys whoever they were as the founders of finesse fishing.  😆
 

The power of Finesse fishing is demonstrated by this thread.   Everyone defines it in a way that works for them.   In reality downsizing to a more subtle presentation is as old as fishing.
 

 

[Bazoo]

I appreciate this discussion. I'm working on improving my finesse presentation and techniques. I prefer power fishing, but it doesn't always produce fish. That said... I LOVE plastic worm fishing because of feeling the bite. It's probably my favorite part of the bass catching cycle... the nibble.

[Caiden24]

22 hours ago, WRB said:

History of the term finesse regarding bass fishing was 1st used by Micheal Jones defining the technique west coast tournament anglers Don Iovino and Dick Trask were fishing.

Don Iovino is in the Hall of Fame as the father of finesse fishing. Neither Don or Trask used spinning tackle during 80’s when the finesse term was 1st coined.

Don primarily doodled shaking brass n glass T-rigged small 4-5” straight tail hand poured worms. Dick was a spilt shot and dart head jig fisherman using Mister Twister and later Flutter Craft 4 1/2” curl tail worms.

Don targeted bass near it on structure, Trask mostly suspended bass. Both used mono line 5# and 6# using highly turned Bsit casting reels and custom medium power fast action Phenix rods.

Spinning tackle followed because it was available to everyone else who started finesse bass fishing.

To me bass behave as individuals that often group up to take advantage bait fish as prey. Like all predators bass are not always active feeding, in fact they rest more then hunt. Active bass are feeding bass, neutral bass are resting bass and sleeping bass are inactive not catchable imo.

Finesse presentations can be used to catch both active and neutral bass, more often targeting neutral bass that may respond to lures in their face whereas active bass will case lures.

Tom

PS, read my Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar.

 

Ok thanks for the history on it!

21 hours ago, islandbass said:

Ah, the other kind of Finessing. Light lines definitely have the advantage here, 😝

 

@Caiden24: I hope you give it a try. You might be very surprised at its effectiveness. A seasoned bass angler should be adept in all techniques suited for their area. For example a soccer or basketball player is only “half” a player if they can only dribble on one side. They need to be good dribblers from the left or right side. Or know both sides of a cassette tape -  Power fishing - Side A Finesse fishing Side B

 

And to everyone else, what song is that line from, “And please don’t knock it, until you’ve tried it,” it’s killing me that I can’t recall it and it’s repeating in my head like a broken record. 

Yeah I actually only throw finesse mainly. I have just been confused as to how people define it. But I have a better understanding now. 

[Caiden24]

21 hours ago, Fishing_Rod said:

Greetings All,

I have interpreted finesse fishing as a combination of smaller baits, lighter gear (thinner line, sensitive rod) presented in a more relaxed way. All this provides more opportunity for strikes. It can include extended pauses where little to no angler action is provided but not exclusive to that.

 

Over the years of angling this approach has resulted in more catching for me. The more relaxed approach is better suited for my recreational objective.

 

As an example, my typical setup is generally considered Ultra Lite. This applies to the 4 pound mono, the light action rod, and soft plastic baits that are 3 inches or smaller in size. This is generally worked low and slow. Slow does not mean just stopped, although extended pauses are helpful. I am reluctant to move the bait too far or too fast. This maximizes interest and opportunity for a strike. It is not a preferred approach for everyone but it does produce a lot of catching.

 

It occurred to me many years ago where I would read and hear about so many instances where someone makes a cast and something distracts them, a backlash or etc, for some time only to realize a fish is "on-line". Hey, there is something to that where you let the bait settle for a bit more. I started deliberately slowing down and downsizing the baits. I caught more using simple low cost baits. All good for me, right? That continued success using this theme is why I still use that approach to catch fish of all sizes. Yes, the drama of fish larger than line capacity is thrilling, which is one of the many reasons we go fishing. I don't only finesse fish but most of my angling is.

 

Another example is from my youth in watching the response of fish when presented a bait. Often there is not an instant fish strike as it takes time for fish to wander over and investigate something that just fell in the water or in their area of interest. Depending on the mood or environment, having the bait not moved by the angler can result in an eventual strike. I also watched the difference between the style of movement. Bold movements didn't always result in a strike. Sometimes a too dramatic change simply resulted in loss of interest or created a startle response. Not helpful for catching fish. Smoother movements were less threatening and often resulted in those triggering responses.

 

Lastly I enjoy angling, I also don't want to work too hard to recreate. By using lighter weight gear it is more enjoyable for me. I catch fish, I also don't struggle to hold a heavy rig for all that time. I find I have better feel with a lower mass setup. That feel helps me figure out if I'm in the weeds, rocks, mud, etc.

 

I hope this information and that of all the others providing their inputs, has improved the understanding and in someway helped to improve the catching! Be well, and Cheers!

 

This has helped. Thanks!

[pdxfisher]

I think the dog and ball analogy is interesting. When a dog is in a chasing mood it will go after every throw of the ball but once it gets tired you throw the ball and it just sits there. However if you put a small dog treat a few inches from that dog it will reach out and grab it.

 

Charlie Brewer (who was mentioned earlier in this thread) had a different analogy I remember reading back in the 70s. Say you have just eaten a big steak, then someone puts another steak in front of you. You are probably not going to eat that steak. However, even if you are full if someone puts a bowl of chocolate covered peanuts in front of you, you will probably take one or two even if you are full. 

[DaubsNU1]

Ranger is just 2-1/2 years old....and will NOT stop retrieving. Pretty sure if I kept throwing the ball/bumper/anything....he would literally run himself to death.

 

[Caiden24]

46 minutes ago, pdxfisher said:

I think the dog and ball analogy is interesting. When a dog is in a chasing mood it will go after every throw of the ball but once it gets tired you throw the ball and it just sits there. However if you put a small dog treat a few inches from that dog it will reach out and grab it.

 

Charlie Brewer (who was mentioned earlier in this thread) had a different analogy I remember reading back in the 70s. Say you have just eaten a big steak, then someone puts another steak in front of you. You are probably not going to eat that steak. However, even if you are full if someone puts a bowl of chocolate covered peanuts in front of you, you will probably take one or two even if you are full. 

Yes this is a good analogy, especially for after they have ate a lot and our full. When the sun is hot and they are finesse and when they get pressured from all the fishing around them then this analogy doesn’t really apply. Not sure why it works in those scenarios but it does

[WRB]

Suggest anyone interested in finesse bass fishing to read Don Iovino’s paper back book Finesse Bass Fishing and the Sonar Connection.

Dated but still a valuable read,

Tom

[Alex from GA]

I learned to bass fish in the late 70s and early 80s in CA's deep lakes from the finesse experts and continue to this day all over the country.   It works.  You can get inactive fish to bite by doodling or drop shot.

[WRB]

We western bass anglers think of finesse fisherman who pioneered the use of light line presentations a name comes to mind who introduced “neon” to hand poured Smitty worms as a high school kid John “Zank” Zankowsi. Zank used moth wing powder for the blue neon color in soft plastics. Zank later started his own worm company and became a top stick in local tournaments.

As I recall SoCal finesse  started in the late 70’s early 80’s. Ironically the same time period the big FLMB started to show up along with big trout imitator swimbaits.

Tom

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On 7/9/2024 at 9:13 AM, Catt said:

One of Takumi Ito's winning lures. 

Saikoro Dice Rubber 

 

I have some