Bass fishing is seeing a rise in finesse techniques, particularly using jigs and minnow plastics with forward-facing sonar. This approach excels in pressured fisheries and for catching wary fish.
History of the Technique:
- Damiki Rigging (2012): Small plastics on ball heads, ideal for vertical jigging in clear, cold water.
- Moping (2011): Pitching jigs with minnow plastics and letting them sit near the bottom to entice bites.
- Crappie Jigging: Adapted from crappie fishing, using small jigs and plastics with great success on bass.
- Hover Strolling: Finesse technique using a jig with a nail weight, offering a different action than a jig head.
- Cindy Rigging: A finesse jig and minnow combo named after an angler’s wife who excelled with the technique.
Why It’s Gaining Popularity:
- Forward-facing sonar: Allows anglers to precisely target fish and present lures effectively.
- Pressured fisheries: Bass are becoming more cautious, requiring more natural presentations.
- Finesse presentations: Can outperform aggressive tactics in certain situations.
The Future of Jigs and Minnows:
Expect to see continued development in jig and minnow combinations, with new offerings and presentation methods emerging.
Get Started with Finesse Fishing:
The author will share their favorite jig and minnow combinations for bass fishing in a future post.
Images/Source: Wired2Fish
