power vs finesse definition?

[.ghoti.]

After reading the thread on power vs finesse, I have to ask; what do you consider power fishing, or finesse fishing. In my mind, a 10" power worm with a 3/8 oz weight is a finesse bait, because I'm slowly probing a particular piece of cover or structure with it. And a big crank is a power bait because I'm covering a lot of area with it. Not trying to start an argument. Just interested in different viewpoints. Tomato, tomahto, Eh?

[Shad_Master]

For me the difference is in the presentation.  I think of "power" fishing as moving baits and covering water.  Spinner baits and cranks are for this purpose, although each can be "finesse" fished.  Finesse fishing is usually associated with smaller baits that are presented in a subtle way (drop shot, C-rig, maybe a jig).  I do think there is a middle ground that is not coverd by these two categories, such as soft jerk bait or fluke fishing -- maybe we should come up with a new category.  What do you think?

[.ghoti.]

A new category, I agree. I use an X-rap quite a bit. Sometimes constantly in motion. Lots of short sharp jerks, with little or no pause. This is, I think, is power fishing. In colde water, I'll use a slow retrieve, with soft pulls and long pauses. This could be considered finesse. How about a C-rig. Power or finesse? What about a slow rolled spinnerbait. A little of both?

[Raul]

It depends a lot on what you 're fishing, finesse doesn 't necessarily mean minute or microscopic baits and spider web line, to me thowing a weightless  T rigged Trickworm on 17 pound test line to a brushpile is a finesse presentation while throwing a 4 inch grub T rigged with a 1/2 ounce sinker on 8 pound test to a bluff is power presentation.

[mike90]

i know all the "rules" and stuff for things to be power or finesse fishing but when i say i am power fishing i am tring to cover as much water as quickly as i can, and when i am finesse fishing i am tring to cover every inch of the lake with a slow drawn out retrieve

[Guest avid]

I agree, that trying to categorize fishing techniques can be a daunting task.   I consider finesse to be "slow" and power as "fast".  This is an oversimplication but it really means that it is not the bait but rather the presentaion that determines the category.  This matters to me because if I have a fast bait like spinnerbait, I am power fishing it, but I can say to myself "let's try to finesse em" and using the same lure, hop it off the bottom like a worm, or very slow roll it.  It helps me explore the versatility of different lures.

[fishingfrenzy]

For me finesse is small baits that are usually retrieved slower than normal.  I don't consider 10 inch worms finesse for me, in my mind a smaller than normal lure is finesse and larger than normal considered power.  You might ask what is normal for me, normal is just the average bass size that manufactures advertise for bass.  Power is more like a pike/musky type size and finesse is smaller like trout.

[roadwarrior]

For me it's slow vs. fast. Heavy equipment vs. lighter gear. All soft plastics are finesse, most hard baits are power, but a jig can be both!

I divide it more specifically with the rigs I use: Baitcaters are power, spinning gear is finesse.

[Brian_Reeves]

To me it all has to do with the amount of water efficiently covered in a period of time.  Jigs can be both power or finesse, as can spinners and worms.  Cranks are pretty much power while dropshots are always finesse.  I like switching to finesse tactics after I locate a pattern.  Usually it pulls in more fish that way.  Locate, fine comb, pick up and try again over and over.  You really need both to break away and stop being a run of the mill angler.

[K_Mac]

Webster's: finesse n 1: refinement or delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture  2: skillful handling of a situation: adriot manuevering <accomplish by~what could not have been accomplished by force>

My first thought was that finesse fishing requires light-line and spinning tackle. After thinking about it, reading y'alls thoughts, and seeing what Webster had to say on the subject I've changed my mind. I think at least 90% of my fishing is finesse, even when I'm using a heavy jig or a C-rig. I think speed is the determining factor. Avid, I'm sure this is an oversimplication but it works for me.   Raul, your example of a 4" grub with a 1/2 oz weight on 8# line is interesting. It is a power presentation based on the speed at which it drops, but if you allow it to set for several seconds at each shelf on the way down, or crawl it back to the boat then it becomes a finesse presentation?!

Great post. Thanks guys.

[Kana]

For me i caterorize power by speed and lure size, usually med to fast water coverage with larger lures being usually over 3/8.  Finesse being slower more methodical presentation and water coverage, baits here are wide in my definition, as i like to use unweighted plastics t-rigged (3 inch grub , tubes and 10 inch power worms), c-rigs, wacky, light jigs and 1/8 hard baits.   but i like RWs response with bait vs spinning,  it possible that it could generally categorize, but for me it reels arent always the determining factor. to each their own!  

[papa smurf]

Here's a couple of questions:

Would a guy whose covering a lot of water with a spinnerbait, but whose downsized from a 1/2 or 3/8 oz spinnerbait to a 1/4 or 1/8 oz spinnerbait, be power or finesse fishing.  On the other hand, what a about a guy in California whose fishing a 12 inch swimbait for a 20 pound bass so slow he can hardly stand it, be power or finesse fishing.

[Matt Fly]

I have always associated finese meaning to down size line, baits and tackle.     Speed or approach has never been an identifier.     Those baits that allow you to cover more water faster have always been considered search baits.    

Power presentations have been used mainly in close quarters.    Heavy structured or cover where a good back boned rod and stout line is needed to take control of the fish fast as to not allow to wrap up around something.

Water Clarity has always been the first indicator as to which is needed depending on the seasonal pattern.

Droppshotting and split shotting was and is needed on the West coast as the water is gin clear.      The standard 7 inch worm, 17 lb test, T rigged isn't gonna catch many in Cali.     Downsizing to 6-8 lb test is the norm, 3-4 inch worms and a spit shot C-rigged is the producer.    Thats finese.      

Then again, I use to haul my trash to the Dump, now its a landfill.    I used to go to the movies, now its a theater of fine arts,   Coming off drug ops in South America, we used to get checked for fatigue, now its post order distress, who know what the definitons means anymore.     They change with each generation.

[.ghoti.]

Hey Matt, good point. I'm trying to not get hung up on definitions, just interested in techniques. We can all call it something different. I 've been using a worm on a jighead ever since reading about it in In-Fisherman about 15 years ago. Now it's a brand new, hot, shaky head rig. And, what about dropshotting. Crappie fishermen in Kentucky and Tennessee have been using that rig to present minnows over brushpiles since Hector was a pup. Maybe it's time I started digging into some old magazines and catalogs. Re-discover an old technique, slap a new high tech name on it, and be famous. LOL. Interesting game, Ain't it?

[Matt Fly]

ghoti,

       That is so true, I was using a live bait rig in the early 70's which is now called a carolina rig, the very same rig.