| Fishing is certainly one of the times where bigger | | | | Don't stop with just the rod; downsizing the reel in |
| is not necessarily better, even though your buddy | | | | your setup will make a drastic change in how you |
| sitting next to you in the boat is convinced it's | | | | fish and more importantly how many fish you |
| true. Sure there are many situations where big | | | | catch. Some of the small reels available these |
| fishing equipment is appropriate and will probably | | | | days are set up nicely to carry a lighter line, like |
| lead you to more fish in the boat. However, | | | | the one used by finesse fishermen. When |
| fishing's popularity is growing and space on the | | | | shopping for a small reel, treat it just as you |
| water is becoming a little more cramped. The fish | | | | would be shopping for a large reel, except in a |
| are starting to take notice too. Some of these | | | | smaller format. |
| fish have seen it all from us fishermen and they | | | | The most important change for a traditional |
| are not being fooled anymore. In heavily fished | | | | fisherman trying to convert to finesse is in the |
| areas the best fishermen have developed a new | | | | line. When I first got into finesse fishing I got lost |
| technique for success; Finesse Fishing. | | | | in all of the different options available on the |
| I can hear the screams of fishermen worldwide, | | | | market. Luckily a friend of mine was quite |
| "What in the heck is finesse fishing and why do I | | | | knowledgeable and one of his best pieces of |
| want anything to do with something that has the | | | | advice was this, "When choosing a line stick to the |
| words finesse and fishing in the same sentence?" | | | | traditional monofilament. Trust me." Well I did trust |
| Well, like it or not some waters are being fished | | | | him and have been happy since. The reason he |
| so heavily that the good fish aren't biting | | | | didn't like to use a braided line is because it floats, |
| anymore. They have seen the tricks employed | | | | and floating ruins the function of a floating lure. I |
| by the common fishermen and are ready for a | | | | tried a braided line a couple times and I can add |
| better show. That is why we need to alter our | | | | this additional word of guidance: mono lines tend |
| approach a bit to fool the fish onto our lures | | | | to blend in underwater and help the bait look |
| again. Finesse fishing, in its simplest explanation, is | | | | natural versus a braided line. Another consideration |
| just downsizing our equipment to throw a new | | | | is line weight. Any line between six and ten pound |
| look at an old fish. The easiest way to convert | | | | test will work, and with a bit of experience on the |
| your game is to buy smaller and lighter versions | | | | water you will develop a preferred test weight. |
| of your current equipment. Let's start with the | | | | Some situations will require a six pound line to fool |
| rod. To get started on your finesse venture try | | | | the most hesitant fish. |
| buying a light to medium light action spinning rod. | | | | Choosing a lure is another necessity for any |
| Buy something inexpensive to get the feel of a | | | | finesse fisherman. Fortunately there are hundreds |
| lighter action rod. With a little experience you will | | | | of different lures available that fit finesse setups. |
| develop a preference for something a bit lighter, | | | | The lures you choose will depend entirely on |
| heavier, or lose interest in finesse fishing | | | | personal preference and necessity based on the |
| altogether. This way you can avoid wasting | | | | waters you tend to fish. Be sure to buy a few |
| money on your first finesse purchase. Many | | | | different styles and test them out; some fish will |
| fishermen say they feel like they are re-learning | | | | respond better than others to particular lures. |
| to fish. This new style could add some | | | | While some may still contend that bigger is in fact |
| excitement to a day on the water and give you | | | | always better, sometimes it is worth it to mix |
| an excuse to buy more fishing gear. In fact | | | | things up. Try finesse fishing to add a new unique |
| finesse fishing is catching on quick and as a result | | | | aspect to your fishing arsenal and increase your |
| many manufacturers have devoted a portion of | | | | chances of going home a happy fisherman! |
| their production of rods just for finesse fishing. | | | | |