Finesse fishing is one of the most common methods for a bass fisherman to use all around the United States. Many different rigs fall into the finesse category some of these include the drop shot rig and wacky worm rig, which we will discuss in this article along with a few others. Also, check out how to catch fish
The key to becoming a successful finesse bass fisherman is patience. This is because finesse fishing is a slow style of fishing that takes time to learn and master.
Finesse bass fishing can be a challenging technique to fully learn and understand but once you do it will quickly become your go-to bass fishing technique. Learn more about the best bait position and trolling speed for offshore fishing success
Table of Contents
What is Finesse Fishing?
Finesse fishing is a technique used while fishing that typically uses light tackle and small-sized lures, most commonly soft plastics, that go against the typically fast-paced actions of bass fishing. More slow and calm in action, these lures are designed to get finicky fish to bite during harsh conditions or when water temperatures are still cold after the winter.
Finesse fishing is a very slow-paced way to fish which takes patience to learn and use, but when you’re out on the water having a bad day any finesse rig can quickly turn your fishing trip into success because of its improved bite rate and attraction.
When to Use Finesse Fishing Rigs
The most common time finesse fishing is used for bass is during cold fronts or when fishing in ultra-clear water conditions. During cold fronts, bass becomes skittish from the changes in pressure which make it difficult to catch these fish. This is why anglers turn to the finesse style of fishing to give a more tempting action to their lure for this skittish bass.
Finesse Fishing is also used during the pre and post-spawn times of the year. When water temperatures reach 60-70 degrees largemouth bass will typically begin their spawning process. During this time they will begin to move into the shallow water and make their beds to soon spawn in. When the spawn is happening, bass becomes more skittish and are more focused on protecting their eggs and fry.
Many anglers during this time turn to finesse fishing because it triggers reaction bites among this bass that are in protection mode when fishing near spawning flats and shallow water.
With that said, finesse fishing can also be used during almost any time of the year. Fishing shallow waters during the summer months is a common thing that many bass anglers do and is the perfect place and time to use finesse fishing rigs.
4 of The Most Common Finesse Fishing Rigs
Some of my all-time favorite finesse fishing rigs include rigs such as drop shots and wacky rigs. These are the perfect ways to trigger that skittish bass into biting during poor conditions or even during the summer in heavily fished waters with high fishing pressure.
Let’s take a closer look at 5 of my favorite finesse fishing rigs that you can use the next time you hit the lake to do some fishing:
The Drop Shot Rig
The drop-shot rig is quickly becoming one of the most important rigs to any bass fisherman. You can fish drop shot rigs deep and shallow near all kinds of structures and docks.
A drop shot rig consists of tying a hook
on your mainline leaving about a foot of extra line below the hook. You then would tie a weight at the bottom of the extra line, also known as a leader, so that the weight is at the bottom and the hook and bait are above it.
You can choose from many hooks, weights, and baits for your drop shot rig. Generally, your rig will consist of a smaller drop shot hook such as a number 4 drop shot hook with a weight anywhere between 3/8oz and 3oz depending on the water conditions you are fishing in.
Below is a picture detailing how to tie this rig and recommended tackle to use for the rig:
Wacky Worm Rig
The wacky worm rig has been a go-to for many fishermen for a long time because of how simple yet successful this technique can be. The wacky rig is an effective fishing technique for spawn, post-spawn, and even deep-structure fishing during the summer months.
It’s considered to be one of the simplest rigs to set up and tie but is also known as one of the most successful finesse fishing rigs to date.
The wacky rig consists of tying your hook of choice onto your line; I like to use a drop shot hook, and then you rig any type of Sanko or stick bait onto the hook horizontally. This creates one of the best finesse actions of any bait which is why it produces so many bites year-round.
There is no weight added to this rig, however, which is typically why it calls for a lighter line and a sensitive rod. Many people also use O-rings for this rig which allows for your Sanko to last longer and not tear as easily, but it is not something you need.
Below is a picture explaining how to tie and use the wacky rig:
The Texas Rig
The Texas rig has been one of the key finesse fishing rigs for a long time among bass fishing anglers. The Texas rig consists of the soft plastic lure of your choice, a bullet sliding sinker, and an offset worm hook of your choice.
When the worm is rigged correctly the Texas rig creates a weighted and weedless bait presentation that is effective in thick weed beds and heavy structures. However, the Texas rig can also be used in almost any lake while fishing for bass whether you’re fishing underwater structure or not.
This rig allows you to catch that stubborn bass that is deep in weed beds, but also fish shallow water for pre and post-spawn bass in the spring and early summer. I typically use a 1/2oz or 1oz bullet sinker for my texas rigs paired with a 4/0 worm hook and a 6-inch Sanko.
Below is a picture explaining how to tie and use the Texas rig.
The Ned Rig
The Ned rig has grown in popularity in recent years because of its effective way of catching fish. The rig consists of using small soft plastic worms, craws, or creature baits with a small mushroom jig head and hook.
It’s very important to pair your Ned rig with a lighter line such as a 6 or 8-pound test line and a medium or light rod because of the smaller lure size. This will allow you to achieve the proper action from your ned rig and also allow you to feel structure on the bottom to bounce your ned rig off of.
This setup produces more bites and hookups when used properly and paired with the right line and rod. My recommended choices for soft plastics to pair with your Ned rig are small stick baits or small swimbaits. In my experience, these soft plastics produce the most bites when using a ned rig.
Below is an image showing you an example of what the Ned rig is paired with a stick bait:
Conclusion
Finesse Fishing for bass is a technique that anyone can learn and is a highly recommended fishing technique. These are a few of the most effective rigs to use when finesse fishing for bass, and the tackle can be found at almost any outdoor retail store near you.
From beginners to professionals, this technique is one of the most productive ways to fish and I hope this information has helped you on your path to becoming a finesse bass fisherman!
Ready to go out on your next fishing trip? Check out this list of the world’s best places to travel, with some amazing suggestions for places to go fishing, such as the Northern Georgia Mountains or Nova Scotia, Canada!
