15
GEAR
FINESSE RIGS
OPTIONS FOR THE TOUGHEST DAYS
G
by Tyler Brinks
PHOTOS BY MATT PACE
oing big and brassy with baits often works for bass, but
there are always those times when they want to be courted
a bit more subtly before they commit. The following finesse
rigs will do the trick when a delicate approach is required.
6-inch Roboworm Straight Tail Worm
1. Drop-Shot Rig
2/0 Roboworm Rebarb
Rigging tip: Jimmy Reese employs the lighter drop-shot weight for depths up to
40 feet and the heavier weight for fishing 40 to 70 feet deep.
Where to use it: Reese fishes the drop-shot everywhere, but docks, rocks and
vegetation are prime target areas.
How to fish it: The California pro fishes the rig on a slack line and shakes it
moderately three to four times before reeling in the slack and moving the bait a
little along bottom.
1/4-to 3/8-ounce drop-shot weights
1/8-ounce chartreuse Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ JigheadZ
Z-Man Finesse TRD
2. Ned Rig
Rigging tip: Casey Martin prefers to use the lightest jighead he can, depending on
wind conditions. He believes the chartreuse head outperforms other colors because
it’s more visible. Some anglers use as light as 1/20-ounce jigheads.
Where to use it: This is strictly a clear-water technique, and Martin says hard cover is
best – rock, riprap and bridges.
How to fish it: The Alabama guide suggests simply casting the rig and letting it fall.
Impart slight action by twitching it and popping it, but the light jighead and small plas-
tic make for an easy meal as long as bass can see the rig.
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FLWFISHING.COM I AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016