jig and finesse fishing question?

[kllrbee]

Hey guys,

Im a little confused by something and I hope you guys can clear it up for me.

Ive heard that when jigging to use a MH to H-XF BC combo with heavier line and basically drag or skip it across the bottom slowly.  Makes sense as I would think that it would be easier to feel everything the jig is coming in contact with.

Now, when finesse fishing, Ive heard to use a M-F Spin combo with lighter line using something like a 4" french fry t-rigged with a light splitshot.  I would think the best retrieval method would also be a drag or skip along the bottom.

I guess what Im not understanding is why heavy gear is recomended for one and light gear is recomended for the other when your basically doing the same thing.

Am I just completely off on my understanding of these methods? 

Can someone explain this to me?

Thanks

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Typically, jigs have a heavier gauge hook than a finesse type of presentation.  With the heavier hook, you need a heavier rod to drive the hook home.  One thing you need to remember though, finesse is a style of fishing.  You can finesse a one ounce jig on the bottom.  You can also power fish an 1/8 oz shaky head.

[Catt]

I "finesse" with the same jig I cast/flip/pitch/punch with 

[WRB]

Hey guys,

Im a little confused by something and I hope you guys can clear it up for me.

Ive heard that when jigging to use a MH to H-XF BC combo with heavier line and basically drag or skip it across the bottom slowly. Makes sense as I would think that it would be easier to feel everything the jig is coming in contact with.

Now, when finesse fishing, Ive heard to use a M-F Spin combo with lighter line using something like a 4" french fry t-rigged with a light split shot. I would think the best retrieval method would also be a drag or skip along the bottom.

I guess what Im not understanding is why heavy gear is recommended for one and light gear is recomended for the other when your basically doing the same thing.

Am I just completely off on my understanding of these methods?

Can someone explain this to me?

Thanks

I see you are from up north and fish from a kayak, so you must fish from a seated position and target NLMB and SMB.

Here is a background on finesse fishing for bass;

The term finesse fishing started out west where anglers fish in deep structured clear water reservoirs like Lake Mead and SoCal's Castaic, Casitas etc. Bass anglers developed techniques using smaller light weight lures and the rods, reel and line that worked well together, targeting bass in deep clear rocky structured lakes. Pioneers like Garry Garland who invented the tube lure called a Gitzit and the soft plastic jig skirt called a spider, Dick Trask developed the split shot and dart head jig, Don Iovino is known for doddling or shaking small worms.

The tackle used was 4 lb to 8 lb mono line, medium extra fast graphite rods and spinning reels or tuned bait casters like a 2500C. The finesse presentations dominated the western bass fishing tournaments back in the mid 80's. Western pro's like Mike Folkestad, Jay Yelas and Aaron Martens moved east and introduced "finesse" presentations to the general bass fishing population.

Finesse fishing has become using any technique where fishing small table top size areas with precision and this definition clouds the original western finesse fishing using light weight, small size lures to target deep suspended or structure bass.   

When bass are looking for bottom oriented prey, dragging the bottom works well. Bass are opportunity feeders and may  look for prey where ever prey is located; weeds, trees, mates, docks, bottom structure, schools of bait fish in open water, whatever the bass can find a meal.

Your tackle should be set up for the lure weight, hook wire size, cover type, depth of water, so you can work the lure effectively, feel strikes and control the bass after it's hooked.

For example; using a 1 oz punch weigh in clear deep structured lake without cover on 6 lb line, med/fast spinning tackle doesn't work very well; change the lure to a 1/8 dart jig with 4" curl tail worm and the set up is a lot easier to use and catch bass with.

WRB

[Raul]

Typically, jigs have a heavier gauge hook than a finesse type of presentation.

Depends on the type of jig.

[wisconsin heat]

Hey guys,

why heavy gear is recomended for one and light gear is recomended for the other when your basically doing the same thing.

how far do you plan on casting that small, basically weightless worm on a heavy casting outfit?

[Fat-G]

Typically, jigs have a heavier gauge hook than a finesse type of presentation. With the heavier hook, you need a heavier rod to drive the hook home. One thing you need to remember though, finesse is a style of fishing. You can finesse a one ounce jig on the bottom. You can also power fish an 1/8 oz shaky head.

Perfectly said.