Finesse Fishing Finicky Fish Need Coaxing Most often once we hit summer our waters have warmed up considerably from what we know as cold water . Fishing during cold water or water under 60 degrees usually requires smaller baits to be productive. The fish have metabolisms that are moving at a snails pace. They do not need large amounts of feed to maintain them. They typically will not exert much energy to chase down their prey either, however during cold water periods we will see an aggressive bite and it really doesn’t matter what we throw at them. Breaking down the mood if you will is a key in producing a pattern that catches fish. So moving on to the present day. It’s the later end of June That water has really heated up. You would think that those fish are really feeding hard and on large food sources. In some case they are. I know of a fellow that fishes for walleyes. He trolls with very large river chubs and does he catch walleyes? You bet he does and they are trophies is some cases. I also know a guy that is a bass fisher. He is also using monster sized baits . You should see the size of those largies he drills. Talk about bucketmouths! The question in my mind is this. Do these guys catch these quality fish day in and day out? The answer is a resounding no. Many days they go without a hook up on their target species. I’ve talked extensively with these gentlemen and they both have that trophy fish mentality. They would just as soon skip those smaller fish for the chance at the “Big One”. Knowing that identifying the mood is a key and I will be looking at several factors. Moon phase, barometer level and water temps are a few items to think about. I also look at where we are as to when they spawn. There are other factors like what kind of structure is available or what types of food sources are those fish keying in on. Just the other day I was catching a few smallies on some black plastics. After one catch I had notice a crayfish in the mouth of the fish so I went to orange. I’ll tell you this …my catch rate tripled. Fish are not always hitting hard and furious, moreover they will be neutral and or negative. Finesse fishing helps during these times. Fishing finesse is not just about bait size. It is also about line diameter. A thinner line allows you to present smaller baits more lifelike. It can also be about speed in the presentation. Fishing a finesse pattern may also improve with a rod built for the type of fishing you are doing like drop shotting. A 7 foot medium action rod with a soft tip will allow you to see those subtle hits without the fish feeling any pull back from a stiff rod tip and then the medium action backbone for setting the hook really comes in handy for quick hook sets. The old adage that say’s “ big bait catches big fish” can and will hold true, however hooking up on more fish more often which will include big fish is where finesse fishing really pays out. Last but not the least is boat control and the fact that speed can kill. Kill as in putting you in a non-productive pattern by moving baits too fast, but then again ripping big baits may just be the ticket for that day. I guess if I had all of the answers I would be a rich man. Good luck on your next adventure folks. Tight lines CK
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 01:34:53 +0000