Big Indiana Bass

Decent day out on the water this afternoon, with finesse jigs accounting for over 3 dozen bass in just a few hours.

When you mention finesse jigs to most bass anglers, the first thing they think of is either small or lightweight. While those can be two important elements in a good finesse approach, bulk/density and profile are at least as important as the previous two attributes, if not more so.

Bulk or density in this case is in reference to the skirt of a jig. If you look at a jig and feel a bit uncomfortable about the lack of skirt material in the tie, chances are you are probably just getting to the point of the jig being tied right. Less is more when it comes to finesse jigging, whether rubber or hair. If you look at the jigs in this picture, they have between 20-35 individual strands of rubber depending on the material (one is tied with thicker strands (20), one thinner (35) strands). Notice they are also single strand, with the bottom "second" layer removed. Hold them up and they look a bit skimpy, but this is exactly what you want in a finesse jig.

A finesse jigs profile is also critical, and it is a result of the combination of the sparse tie and the right trailer. Get it wrong and a 30 fish day might just become a 6 fish day. Again, a thinner, more streamlined trailer is the way to go in most cases. Bulk is usually a bad thing, unless you're in muddy water, in which case, you probably don't want to be tossing finesse in the first place. Play with different trailers to find the one you like, or more importantly, the one that triggers the most bass to bite. The best combo today was a 3" punch type craw paired with the jigs pictured. The correct profile leads to the right action. Don't forget to consider downsizing your line also. It's all a package deal.

Where do you get good finesse jigs? One option is to find a tyer/company who knows what they're doing and just buy them like the jigs pictured (Terry Anderson/AFS). Another is to tie your own correctly if you're into that kind of thing. Lastly, you can simply take an existing skirt and either pull off or trim excess strands from stock baits to get them to where they have the right bulk for the size and weight jig you're throwing. Not ideal, but it works. It's easier to just buy them right from the get go, when you can find them.

New for May 2013
 
Anyone who has fished with me lately will know I enjoy throwing Zoom Magnum Finesse Worms rigged on Gambler Giggy Heads. I got started with these fishing an FLW Stren Series (Everstart) on the Detroit River. I found that St. Clair smallies liked this rig pretty well - a bit different look from the tubes and drop shots they usually see.

I usually glue up a half dozen of these for a day of fishing. I have been surprised by how many fish can be caught on one set-up.

BUT NOW... I have found I like the newer Screw Lock Giggy Heads. I am making these available in 3/16oz and 1/4oz. Because I basically carry what I use, I am limiting the colors to 3/16oz Green Pumpkin and 1/4oz Black. (Works as a quick visual confirmation of size).

I am also adding the new Big Giggy Heads in 3/8oz and 1/2oz. These feature a 6/0 hook for those larger baits fished on deep ledges.

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Lower Clearance Prices!

 
I have just lowered prices for Clearance Items including a variety of Rapala hardbaits and a great deal on the WileyX Brick Polarized Glasses.
 
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And other products
 
Jig Heads  |  Crankbaits  |  Soft Plastics  |  Jigs

Please, don't hesitate to send any questions you may have about any of these products or baits to . And as always, RedShad.com orders totaling $50 or more include free shipping! Thanks for reading and I wish you the best of luck in your fishing.

Kindest Regards,

Rod Yoder

RedShad.com
"When One More Bite Matters"