Slow, easy and yet incredibly deadly, finesse techniques work when other methods fail
Finesse fishing is not a new method of fishing and actually, I prefer to call it light-line fishing. Smaller baits, smaller weights, lighter line and medium action fast-tip rods move the bait slower. This delicate and subtle style of fishing can, and will, entice inactive fish to inhale your bait.
Trying to catch lunker bass, smallmouth or largemouth, is of course, the main objective of bass fishing, but sometimes they don't cooperate. We all want to find that magic bait or unique technique to catch inactive bass. Understanding that increased fishing pressure, low and dropping water conditions, and dying grass can cause bass to relocate to wherever their food source moves and where they feel protected from predators is very important during certain times of the year.
Weather changes and eating time schedules also affect the bass and anglers must react accordingly by changing baits and/or techniques. Bass have feeding time schedules within a given area. Next time you go out fishing, check the time you caught bass in an area, then try that same spot again the next day. Begin fishing the area an hour earlier and continue an hour later, and within that time period, you should catch a bass.
It is a known fact that bass on Lake Fork do not bite as well when the dam gates have been opened, causing dropping water conditions. These bass are not accustomed to current in the water and will put their noses up to a tree stump, hide in grass, or suspend in deeper water. When you add to this scenario all the lures, plastic baits, boat motors, trolling motors, etc, fishing can prove to be tough. This is part of the reason my husband George and I began to fish lighter tackle many moons ago. Our version of finesse fishing may or may not be your style of fishing. However, I can say it does work for us quite well.
Before you go fishing, take all of your confidence baits out of the boat. If you really want to learn how to finesse fish, you must concentrate only on learning how to fish lighter tackle. It would be tempting for you to pick up those other baits if you are not catching bass right away and it is easier to stick with something new when the old tried and true is not available.
You must know the type of area you will be fishing, such as water depth, grass, wood, tree stumps, docks, or reeds to name a few. The reason is, if you are going to fish the shallows up to eight feet of water, you will be using light line. If the area is very stumpy, no matter what depth you are fishing, I would suggest using heavier line until you get comfortable catching bass with smaller baits in the stumps. If the stumps are in shallow water, you can try fishing with lighter fine when you feel you have the ability to get the bass out of the stumps and into your boat.
Use 8- or 10-pound test line for shallower water and 12- to 15-pound test for the deeper water. You can use baitcasting or spinning rods, whichever you are comfortable with. I personally find using a spinning rod and reel does not tire me as quickly as a casting rod. Normally I will have three rods ready when I go fishing, one with 15-pound test line to fish deeper water, and two rods with 10-pound test line. On the rods with 10-pound line, I will tie a grub hook on one and a 3/0 wide-gap hook on the other. The reason for having a separate rod for the grub hook is, it takes too long for me to change the hook on the same line every time I want to use a different type of bait. I do not tie a hook on the 15-pound test line until I have decided which bait I want to use in deeper water.
You will also need removable split-shot weights, either a number 5 or 7 depending upon the wind. When fishing the ring fry or Senko on light line in the shallows, you will not need the split shot weight because these two baits are heavy enough to cast without the split shot and will sink slowly into targeted areas. Also, the split-shot weight is not necessary when fishing the grub because you use a lead-headed hook. Clamp the removable split-shot weight 12 inches above the knot on your hook. Before you cast out the trick worm on the finesse hook, spread the weed guard wires for an easier hook set. You are now ready to go finesse fishing.
This technique of fishing is very similar to fishing Carolina style. You are just fishing with lighter line, smaller weights, and smaller baits than usual.
The place you have decided upon fishing may be a grass bed in one to six feet of water. Place one of the baits I have mentioned on the correct hook, and use the rod and reel you have 10-pound test line on. Cast to the outer edge of the grass line and let the weight and bait sink. DO NOT MOVE THE BAIT. Count to 20 slowly, twitch the rod tip slightly, and wait. Count to 20 again, then twitch the rod tip and slowly reel the line back to your boat. Sometimes the bass will inhale your bait as it originally floats down into the grass edge after you cast. Other times it may follow and inhale the bait as it moves in a hopping/swimming motion back to the boat when you least expect the bite, so be attentive.
I cannot stress how important it is to slow down your retrieve when catching fish under difficult conditions. I realize this method of fishing may not be for those of you who are antsy, however if you really want to catch fish that are not in a feeding mood, this is a technique that works.
You will either feel the fish bite, see your line move away from where you have cast, or the line may feel mushy. Set the hook immediately. When you light-line fish, do not attempt to horse the fish into the boat. Allow the fish to tire itself out by not putting too much tension on the line. If you forget and pull too hard on the fish, you have the memory of having a nice bass on at one time.
Fishing dock areas can be frustrating, as you probably already know. Cast, or flip your bait into the cooler water under the wood structured docks. Allow the weight and bait enough time to reach the bottom and again, wait for the bite. Bass will be at the back of docks in the shady areas waiting for food or under the dock, holding near one of the support poles. Some people find open face spinning reels and rods easier to use to flip their bait under docks and over hanging tree limbs.
If you decided to try finesse fishing around stumps I must warn you. You may be disappointed when a bass decides to wrap your line around the stump and the line snaps. Use a rod and reel with heavier line and a split-shot weight on the line when fishing these areas until you have mastered retrieving a fish with light line. Any of the baits mentioned will lure bass into biting.
Cast your bait beyond the stump. Wait for the weight to settle on the bottom, then slowly retrieve your bait to the outside edge of the stump. Allow the weight to hold the bait near the stump. Do not move the bait for a count of 10, unless you have a bite. Then set the hook. Slowly move the bait past the stump base until it has passed the stump. Keep in mind, the bass may follow your bait and inhale it when you least expect it. Pay close attention to the feel of your line.
When the bass inhales your bait, set the hook and keep enough tension on the line to turn the fish toward your boat and away from other tree stumps. Again, don't put too much pressure on the line, but enough to keep the fish from wrapping it around the stumps. This technique takes practice, so don't give up easily.
A large bass will always attempt to go to deep water once you have hooked it. If it gets past your boat with its head pointed toward deeper water and away from you, maybe a prayer will stop it, because light line normally will not. When the bass gets close to your boat, try to direct the fish carefully, at an angle, toward you. This technique does take practice, but once you learn how much pulling pressure to use, you will land more fish using these techniques under adverse fishing conditions.
