Finesse Your Way To Success

Finesse fishing is the art of using scaled down baits with minimal action to entice fish when the bite is tough. Whether from cold fronts, temperature extremes or overabundant forage, fishing can slow down to where finesse baits are the only option. The goal is to present a snack that is easily caught and killed. To most fish, a small plastic worm or grub is just the ticket. Hook the bait onto a small hook and let it sink with minimal weight into woody cover, submerged vegetation or any cover that looks likely to hold fish. Use a thin line, light-action rod and reel and have lots of patience. Bait movement is no more than an occasional quiver or drift, the optimal condition for an uninterested fish. Use finesse tactics when more commonly used baits just aren't getting hit.