Finesse fishing is pretty much nothing more than downsizing a particular type of bait or lure. When it
comes to winter fishing, or those times throughout the year when fish are inactive, most anglers will find
more success at catching bass by down sizing or Finesse fishing.

   Finesse fishing patterns are usually fished at a much slower rate due mostly to the inactive bass during
these periods. The biggest factor an angler should be aware of is that the bass's metabolism slows way
down in colder water temperatures thus making them very inactive or lethargic, and a bass will not expend
great amounts of energy during these colder water temperature periods. By nature, it seems that a bass
will always expend the least amount of energy for the greatest amount of benefit. That's why a bass is
considered to be more of an ambush fish than a chaser.

   There are a few tricks or, as some would say, a few how-to's when fishing a Finesse pattern. I will explain
some of these techniques and patterns used for Finesse fishing that may help you to become a better
angler when it comes to these cold water or inactive periods.

   First, let's talk about plastics. 4-inch Plastic baits such as French fries (also known as centipedes), grubs,
worms, crawls, tubes or any other smaller types of soft plastic baits are a good choice to use for Finesse
fishing. Rig these baits like a "Texas Rig" using a thin wire hook and lightest weight possible (just light
enough so that the plastic bait just barely falls through the water). Let the bait completely fall to the bottom,
and just make a slow twitch, slowly reel the bait back in, then do it again.

   One of the most popular Finesse rigs is the splitshot rig. By duplicating the natural, swimming motion of
a baitfish with the slow, steady retrieve of a small 4-inch worm, split-shotting is a very efficient means of
force-feeding unaggressive bass. In most cases, this is accomplished by Texas rigging a 4-inch curl-tail
worm or 3-inch grub on a straight shank, perfect bend Aberdeen style hook with a splitshot crimped 18- to
24-inches up on 6-pound test line. The Aberdeen hook is used because it provides a keel to the worm
which, like a boat's keel, keeps the worm on a straight and level course.

   One rig that has proven to be deadly is the "Double Rig." Sometimes when you're not sure what type of
baits to use the "double rig" allows you to use two baits at once. First, tie a Jig-n-pig on your line, then tie
a 2- to 4-foot leader off of the Jig-n-Pig. Tie a hook on the end of the leader (making sure that you use no
weight) and rig a plastic bait on the hook. Work this pattern just as you would a Carolina Rig. Now, you
have two choices for the bass to zero in on.

   By the way, Carolina Rigs can also be used for Finesse fishing! Just use lighter hooks, weights, and baits.

   So what about hard baits? Let's say you're fishing a Crankbait Pattern during one of these cold or in-active
periods. You notice on your graph that the bass are in the 20' to 40' depth and the shad or baitfish are only
small in size. How would you get a small crankbait to dive down to these depths? Easy! Tie a small
crankbait on a Carolina Rig! Again, the key in Finesse fishing is downsizing your lure. With a little creativity,
you can fish any depth you want with any lure you choose.

   Let's talk a little about technique. Split-shotting is a horizontal, moving-bait technique used when bass are
moving through or holding in water 20 feet or less. Although some fishermen place a splitshot on their line
and call it split-shotting, the essence of the technique is in the moving bait tactic. Without the movement,
you are merely placing a plastic worm in the water with a weight up the line. While this method does work,
particularly with reapers, it is more an example of fishing with a splitshot than split-shotting.

   Since the proper retrieve maintains constant bottom contact with the splitshot while moving the bait at a
slow, but steady pace, split-shotting covers water faster than just about any conventional worming method.
Actually, split-shotting more closely resembles crankbait fishing than it does plastic worming. And, as a
result, this method is especially lethal at locating fish concentrations or intercepting bass as they move up
during daily migrations.

   If the water is more than 40' deep, split-shotting loses its' effectiveness. Try to find any structure within this
depth such as a steep bank, rocks, or any irregular drops. Position your boat in the deeper water, cast over
these areas with a Texas-rigged bait and let it pendulum fall (swing) itself back under the boat. Watch your
line carefully and be aware of what your rod is doing. If at anytime something seems different, set the hook!

   If you have underwater structure areas like tree tops, old buildings, rocks, and underwater vegetation, a
technique known as "doodling" can be successful at catching bass. When "doodling" a Finesse bait,
suspend the bait just over these structure areas and lightly twitch the bait, then let it just hang. Repeat this
over and over again leaving the bait in the water just above the structure and hold on!

   There are more techniques and patterns to use for Finesse fishing, but these are a start for you to try. I
teach several different patterns and techniques to my Bass School Students as well and use them when
fishing with my Bass Guide Clients. Finesse fishing techniques can be used year round and will bring
success to you when nothing else seems to work. Try these methods and see!