We recently had a thread about finesse jig help.Catt and WRB brought up some good points on jig size. To me, finesse bass fishing has always been this: med/ med light spin rod, balanced spinning reel, and line- usually not more than 8lb test.The specific brand of tackle doesn't matter to me. There are lots of good rods/ reels out there. Baits were smaller too. Thinner plastic worms, jigs in 1/8 to 3/16 oz size. If I'm throwing a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig and trailer I want a stout casting rod, if for no other reason than to set the heavier hooks on the bigger jigs.Charlie Brewer often said that light tackle fishing was a "mindset". The spinning tackle and lighter line were just the tools to deliver these lighter lures. What do you consider finesse these days? How has it changed for you? For me a heavy , thick hook jig isn't finesse. Never will be. That's power fishing.What does everyone think? I'd like to hear from all young and old. Have the lines been blurred through the years between finesse/ power fishing?

 

I think of  finesse the same way as you .

I've never understood why there has to be a label. What difference does it make what is finesse or what isn't? I fished for many, many years without ever hearing the terms finesse or power fishing. Does the label cause you to change the way you present the lure?  For me the terms are irrelevant. 

43 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I've never understood why there has to be a label. What difference does it make what is finesse or what isn't? I fished for many, many years without ever hearing the terms finesse or power fishing. Does the label cause you to change the way you present the lure?  For me the terms are irrelevant. 

There doesn't have to be any label. I was just curios what others thought. Like you, I'll keep fishing the same way I always have

I am a finesse fisherman first and foremost.  My definition is one word....Refined.

 

Refined tackle.  Smaller lighter more bait specific.

Refined Baits.  Smaller, lighter more specific to conditions.

Refined Line.  Smaller lighter to match Baits/Tackle.

Refined presentation.  More specific placement and action.

 

For me then there's "normal" fishing.  Then "power" fishing.  Then Flipping/Pitching.  

Just now, TOXIC said:

I am a finesse fisherman first and foremost.  My definition is one word....Refined.

 

Refined tackle.  Smaller lighter more bait specific.

Refined Baits.  Smaller, lighter more specific to conditions.

Refined Line.  Smaller lighter to match Baits/Tackle.

Refined presentation.  More specific placement and action.

 

For me then there's "normal" fishing.  Then "power" fishing.  Then Flipping/Pitching.  

Toxic, of course everyone can fish as they want to. "Refined" is a good term to describe finesse fishing. As Scott F said, many of us were fishing this style before the term finesse was ever mentioned.

I suggest you read Don Iovino's book "Finesse Bass Fishing & The Sonar Connection". Don defines his finesse presentations at the time the book was publishedin 2001.

Tom

* Don Iovino is a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, considered the father of finesse bass fishing.

 

1 minute ago, WRB said:

I suggest you read Don Iovino's book "Finesse Bass Fishing & The Sonar Connection". Don defines his finesse presentations at the time the book was publishedin 2001.

Tom

* Don Iovino is a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, considered the father of finesse bass fishing.

 

Tom, I have read some excerpts from that book. Good reading.

1 minute ago, Mobasser said:

Tom, I have read some excerpts from that book. Good reading.

It's a 147 page paper back that is easy informative reading.

Tom

I guess I am an accidental "finesse" fisherman. None of my baits or tackle weighs more than 1/4 oz. Works for me.

Being a Guide on a heavily pressured lake and wanting my clients to catch a fish every so often   I was forced into the finesse game to get finicky pressured fish to bite and along the way discovered the big girls will eat finesse baits as well.  There are many baits that cover more than one style of fishing depending on how they are rigged.  For example you can rig a Senko weightless or wacky which I consider finesse, or you can c-rig it or use a bullet weight which is a heavier presentation.  I am also a flyfisherman and that for the most part is extreme finesse.  I feel the closer my bass fishing gear gets to flyfishing the more finesse it is.  I would rather finesse fish any day.

 

Jig Worm Fishing with Guido Hibdon

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/shaky-worm.html

We could get do deep into the weeds with this one, and we have touched on it before, so I'll just say, for me:

 

Yes, "finesse" definition/technique has evolved over the years within the angling community...

 

But, for me, I still stick with the old school traditions and ways in regards to what "finesse" is...or isn't.

The argument between "Finesse" fishing & "Power" has been around for yrs. In the early years of B.A.S.S. it was "Sissy" fishing against "Bubba" fishing. Bubba & Sissy are no longer political correct.

 

Google Bobby Murray, Charlie Brewer, or Roger Moore. Bobby Murray qualified for eight consecutive Classics and won two using lighter tackle. Roger Moore started a streak in 1974 on the St. Johns River," Moore recalls. "I never got skunked my first four years of fishing B.A.S.S., including four BASS Master Classics. Charlie Brewer's Do-Nothing Slider Fishing is legendary. Then there's this whole Ned Rig deal that has me totally fascinated.

1 hour ago, greentrout said:

Jig Worm Fishing with Guido Hibdon

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/shaky-worm.html

Guido will always be one of my heroes. One of the all time greats

Sometimes bass want a big meal or something fast moving other times they want a slower moving snack, feed them want. Finesse fishing is about giving the bass a snack. 

Tom

My personal definition of "finesse bass fishing" is more or less "Fishing for bass with tackle, line, and lures that I could also have reasonable success fishing for panfish with".   There is a lot of wiggle room in there, but I feel it is more about lure size then weight.  

1 hour ago, Catt said:

The argument between "Finesse" fishing & "Power" has been around for yrs. In the early years of B.A.S.S. it was "Sissy" fishing against "Bubba" fishing. Bubba & Sissy are no longer political correct.

 

Google Bobby Murray, Charlie Brewer, or Roger Moore. Bobby Murray qualified for eight consecutive Classics and won two using lighter tackle. Roger Moore started a streak in 1974 on the St. Johns River," Moore recalls. "I never got skunked my first four years of fishing B.A.S.S., including four BASS Master Classics. Charlie Brewer's Do-Nothing Slider Fishing is legendary. Then there's this whole Ned Rig deal that has me totally fascinated.

Catt, I've been fascinated by the Ned rig also. I bought the correct tackle for this, but have caught very few fish with it. I'll take some smaller plastic worms rigged Texas style or shakey head. But that's just the way I finesse fish. Lots of guys make a killing with the Ned rig.I think it's interesting about the regional differences in styles too. California- different than the Ozarks etc. Guys adapted to what worked for them.The guys you mentioned were all very good at this, fishing big tournaments on waters that were not always considered the best for this style. But they still made it work- very well

@Mobasser I have been quietly sneaking behind @Team9nine trying to learn the history of Midwest Finesse fishing & the foundation upon which the whole system is built. 

 

My major issue is trying to learn spinning reels with no one to learn first hand from.

Catt, do you cast right handed and switch the rod to the left hand?

I fish with finesse spinning tackle often when the bite requires it. Learning to cast is easy using your right reeling left handed keeping the rod in the right hand takes some getting use to. 

You are well suited for finesse spinning tackle because you know how to be patient and detect underwater strikes and locate bass. Light line requires a different hook setting technique and the light weight hooks and line don't need a hard set.

Give it try it's productive using down size presentations with spinning tackle. 

Tom

 

I’ve tried many times to use a spinning reel the “correct” way. I’ll get out there and after about 10 casts switch it back to the right side. I just can’t get used to reeling with my left hand and I’m pretty good working the rod with my left hand because that’s what I do with casting gear anyways. It just feels wrong on the left. 

 

But I do enjoy some finesse fishing at times. The ned rig has saved many a trip and I do not leave home without at least one spinning set up. 

6 hours ago, Catt said:

@Mobasser I have been quietly sneaking behind @Team9nine trying to learn the history of Midwest Finesse fishing & the foundation upon which the whole system is built. 

 

My major issue is trying to learn spinning reels with no one to learn first hand from.

Catt, I think spinning gear will be pretty easy for you. I cast with my right hand, and reel with my left. It can be a fun and productive fishing style. Your already almost there with your bass fishing experience.

Also Catt, as you know, Team9nine writes for the site bassfishingarchives. I love this site. He's very sharp on this stuff! I can spend hours browsing there. I respect the time and work he's put into this. 

I know it's probably a mental thing but spinning reels & ole Catt are like oil & water.

 

When I first started with computers this is what they looked like. I know my way around the World Wide Web fairly well.

 

I know quite well who Team9nine is ?