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I've decided to do more finesse fishing this year. I'm not sure what that means other than down sizing my baits, using light action spinning rods, and light line. I was reading an article in our article section on finesse fishing. The writer said mono was a must because it sinks, while superlines float. Fore those of you who use the technique, does it make that much difference?thanks, Carl

Carl,
Fishing in very small lakes, in rural wisconsin, we really need to live the old saying "forget your plans, go with what the fish want" and that to me means that a lot of the "rules" of the seasons, coverage, kind of go away. the bass in a lot of these lakes are VERY picky, and tough to get to at times. I've been using Vanish line, or cajun for the last few years now. on my light action spinner, i use 6 lb vanish and have had no problems. My fishing partner ONLY uses braided lines, and despite my lectures on vanish vs his braided, he seems to pull the bass out (either deep, or typically VERY shallow, 3ft or less) just as often as i do w/ my vanish. its good to know the "rules" of the fish, but of course, and you dont need me to tell you this, it just comes down to what your local fish like. its my experience that the bass i fish for dont tend the read the same mags as i do.

Good insight sometimes I wonder about the difference between mono and fluoro. I can visably tell a difference if I even put the line in an aquarium. Fluoro seems much more translucent but I always wonder if the fish really care. I like the Fluro on my baitcaster because it has a more robust feel and has less stretch. I do not however like fluoro on my spinning tackle which I recently posted about. Carl please let me know how this goes for you I would be intrested to find out what happens.

I wrote Craig at MMT, and he said he didn't think it was that big of a deal,and after all he knows what he's talking about when it comes to finesse fishin. So I use braid with Berkly Transition for a leader.

I was gonna say Carl I dont know that it makes that much difference at all. I use the power pro and the leader. The clearer the water the longer I make the leader. Doesn't matter were or what I'm fishing. Finnesse fishing is something that I been trying to do more of myself. Saved me in a couple tournaments last year.

Nick, the only rule I know about bass fishing that is always true is that there are no rules that always stand up. There's lore and memories that tend to be rekindled and often embelished. Sometimes these things do work and sometimes not.

As for Carl and finesse fishing, I do recommend mono or a fluoro if you are in clear waters. I'm fishing the Rainbow River regularly here in Florida. It is so clear that if I flipped a quarter off the back of my boat, I could tell if it was heads or tails in 25ft of water. That is not an exageration. I've used Yo Zuri Hybriud for the past 5 or 6 years and now use their Hybrid Soft Formula. I think it helps keep any unnatural characteristics of the line from spooking fish. I also flip heavier baits with 100% Fluoro in these waters and it doesn't seem to negatively effect the bite. I just won't use braid in clear water period.

In the book I wrote about Finesse Fishing, I mainly wrote from a spinning perspective although you certainly can use casting gear. Although I'm a hardcore shimano guy, I picked up a Daiwa Sol and a Pixy just to throw 4 and 6lb line with.

Book? You never mentioned a book. Is it available? Guys, thanks for the interesting info. Carl

Yea, sorry about that, I thought you knew. It's on my site.

Finesse is a relative term, down here in the stumps that would be 20Lb instead of the usual 30.

Now that I got that out of my system, I've downsized both tackle and line the last few years. lighter line, smaller baits, everything.

Admittedly the average size dropped, but I do catch quality fish on it. And, get a lot more bites most of the time.

Richard.