Finesse jigs

Up here in my canadian shield lakes, I’ve noticed the tackle we use (pretty successfully) is a LOT lighter than many on the bass forum…
These Smallies were 18 & 19″… and good representatives of the others we caught. The 18″ was actually 19″ in girth…what a tank!
We used 1/8 and 3/16 Elk River finesse jigs with 3″ Craw trailers… 7′ finesse rods and #10 fluoro…. 14-22 fow.

I’d use stronger (12-15#) fluoro but cant find any within my budget that is supple enough… all I’ve tried are like cable with oodles of memory…

“What a tank” is absolutely right. What beautiful, healthy fish.

Very nice!

That fish has got lotsOfun written all over it.

That is a tank for sure! Just a thought but try a 20-30 lb braid with 8-10 foot fluoro leader if you want- works well here but the water is much, much dirtier than there. might be worth a try.

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That is a tank for sure! Just a thought but try a 20-30 lb braid with 8-10 foot fluoro leader if you want- works well here but the water is much, much dirtier than there. might be worth a try.

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Good reply!
I should have mentioned that the fluoro use is due to the micro guide rods I have become fond of… even my tiny surgeons knot bangs through those teeny guides. My std rigging is with 20# braid and about 12-15′ of #10 fluoro…

Nice fish

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That is a tank for sure! Just a thought but try a 20-30 lb braid with 8-10 foot fluoro leader if you want- works well here but the water is much, much dirtier than there. might be worth a try.

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Good reply!
I should have mentioned that the fluoro use is due to the micro guide rods I have become fond of… even my tiny surgeons knot bangs through those teeny guides. My std rigging is with 20# braid and about 12-15′ of #10 fluoro…

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that’s great to know. I’ve been thinking about picking up a rod or 2 fitted with the micros but I love my superline on spinning gear coupled with a fluoro leader. one of these days, I am going to have to gain back that feel for straight fluoro on the spinning gear though.

btw super tanker!

Tom,

Those are some might fine smallies!! Nice job.

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I’ve been thinking about picking up a rod or 2 fitted with the micros but I love my superline on spinning gear coupled with a fluoro leader. one of these days, I am going to have to gain back that feel for straight fluoro on the spinning gear though.

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The 2012 Dobyns Savvy and Rage bass rods from St. Croix will be “semi” micro, meaning they may allow the braid/flouro leader to pass easily. That would be really sweet! I’ll bet several rod brands will be adding micro or semi micro models for 2012…

Yep- definately an issue- I have been trying the albright knot this year for braid to fluoro. I must say it holds up well but can be tricky to tie. The advantage of it is it is much smaller, and the fluoro is not wrapped around itself as with a uni-uni. I think the surgeons wraps also but could be mistaken.

Wow! That is a chunk! I also prefer the lighter weights for bassin. 1/8 and 3/16 to a 1/4. I used some 5/16 and bigger a few times this year, but I mostly stick with the light weights. I like seagar red label for baitcaster and the seagar invisX on a spinning reel cause it’s more managable.