Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

So i am now fishing a little more finesse applications and noticing i am having trouble keeping contact with my 1/8 ounce shakey heads, jig heads...etc, have no problem when im bubba shotting w 1/2 oz or tossing heavier jigs,...im using a ML spinning rod and a 2500 reel when finesse fishing..any tips on what i can do to help keep contact when fishing the lighter weight?? i currently have 8lb mono spooled on one spool and 8lb floro, and on both i just cannot keep contact..is it my line? maybe its not spooled tight enough?? idk? any info would be appreciated

First make sure you are on the bottom before u close ur bail.
Make sure you are moving the bait with your rod and not the reel!!!!
Watch ur line as u pick ur rod tip up to catch up to the slack line. U should start to feel the weight of your bait at this point. Now just go slow until u start to get the feel of it.
Remember to not move the bait with your reel. Go from 10oclock to 12oclock with ur rod tip.

Hope this helps?

Tight lines,
Kap

I concur with Kap. What kind of rod are you using? What kind of areas? If there's nothing on the bottom but sand and dirt you're not going to feel much anyways, just the weight dragging.

i've got a kistler 6'6 lta ML that i use for finesse, most of the lakes and resviors i fish are gravel/mud bottoms...even when fishing the gravel areas its still difficult to feel it hit the bottom..im realativly new to fishing bottom techniques..so im sure ive got a huge learning curve

Your problem maybe related to several factors; all can be over come with a heavier jig or less bulky worm. Can you feel the bottom without a worm? 3/16th oz is 1/3rd heavier than a 1/8 oz and a 1/4 oz is 100% heavier, both are still finesse weight jigs.
The lb test of the line doesn't tell you the diameter of the line, smaller diameter = less line drag. FC line has less drag then mono, very small diameter superbraids have less drag than FC. Line diameter varies between mfr's. Depth of water and wind makes a big diffierence. Deeper the water and stronger the wind = heavier jig needed. Use your finger on the line, it's more sensitive and watch your line for movement, instead of relying on your rod.
Tom

so braid w a floro leader and bump up to a 1/4 oz wieght...i will def give this a shot.

tru tungsten ikey heads will help out a great deal.

Maybe try 4-6 lb test....

Kick some slack in your line , fish with a bow in your line till you bump something and scratch it feel it and work it with confidence if you still cain't feel enough use a softer tip not more weight .keep with 8#

BuckSnort wrote:Maybe try 4-6 lb test....

+1

Kevins tips are good here.

Also slow down! When you move the rod 2" it moves the bait more.

Depth?

If fishing deeper go to 6lb Floro sinks faster.

All good ideas. I would add, you are in foreign territory so it feels strange to you. Slow down. And 1/8 is really only good down to about 20 feet--until you develop a new "touch."

gk

www.kramergonefishing.com