Need finesse help

[donkey411]

I have recently moved (4 months ago), and my new lake is much different than my home lake. My home lake was much more of a "big stick" lake. The new lake is more of a deep, extremely clear reservoir. Therefore, the bass are generally more finicky. So fishing obviously requires more finesse than what I am used to in the past (lighter line, smaller baits, etc.). Just for background info - I fish two different leagues on the lake and through 4 tournaments in each league this year, the biggest bag has only been 16 pounds.

I have gained a lot of confidence fishing a 3-4" grub on a 1/8 or 3/16 head with light line 6-8. However, it seems like at least once or twice a week I will break off on hook-set. I assume it's a result of the light line and the smaller lure (easier/quicker swallow).

What is the best way to maintain finesse but not expose myself to this problem. It's driving me crazy. Finesse is definately not my style, but its what I've got to work with, so I would like to get better at it. My 7 foot baitcasters hang out in the rod box and laugh at me as I put the spinning rods with 8 pound test on the deck.

[BUCKEYEone]

You didn't mention what type of line you are using or if your breakoffs are happening in the line or in the knot.  I fish a lot with spinning gear using finesse techniques and I use 8 lb flouro almost exclusively with a palomar knot and have not had more than a handful of line breaks, as opposed to breaking off constantly with mono.

[Raul]

Light line requires for you to check it on a regular basis, mono, copoly or fluoro, it 's the same, less than 10 lbs test you have to check more oftlenly, cut and retie a lot more than with heavier line.

Copoly takes the most abuse, then fluoro, then high abrassion resistant nylon ( like XT ) and at the bottom limp nylon ( like XL ).

The slightest nick on light line causes the resistance to plummet.

[Wayne P.]

I finesse fish with 30# braid on spinning gear and can't recall ever having the line break on the hookset. Some of it is 8# mono diameter and some is 6# mono diameter. Yes, I fish real clear water too.

[Derek Chance]

I use 8lb flouro with a trilene knot and retie, retie, retie.  Remember with most finesse tactics you don't have to cross their eyes on a hookset.  It is not like a jig.  I use kind of a wrist snap and sweep.  I also be sure to set my drag so I have enough to set the hook, but it will give a little after set.

[6pointbuck2003]

deffinatly check the line if your fishing rocky areas?