Finesse jigs are an excellent lure of choice for finesse fishing. This is a style of bass fishing that uses small baits and light tackle. Finesse fishing is very effective at getting finicky bass to bite, so they are very often used in tough conditions.
Finesse jigs are one of the best finesse lures an angler can tie on when bass don’t seem to be eating anything. They have the same basic design as regular bass jigs, only they are much smaller and lighter.
The skirt is a bit different too in most cases. It’s usually cut short on the top end to make the strands flare up around the head. The smaller sized head and hook, combined with the trimmed skirt makes a finesse jig a very compact bait. And sometimes this is more enticing to stubborn bass than a bulky jig.
Like with all jigs, you want to pair a finesse jig with a smaller jig trailer. Popular finesse jig trailers are small craw style trailers, like the BB Cricket made by Gambler. These are tiny trailers, so they help maintain the small profile of the bait.
Finesse Jigs vs Other Jigs
One of the biggest misconceptions in bass fishing is the belief that smaller baits catch smaller bass. That could not be further from the truth. You are just as likely to catch big bass on a finesse jig as you are on any other jig.
Some may wonder, if you get more bites with a finesse jig and are just as likely to catch a big bass, then why not always use them over flipping jigs?
Well, while your odds of getting more bites on a finesse jig are usually greater, there are a few disadvantages to keep in mind. First of all, you are not going to be able to fish finesse jigs in thick cover the way you would a flipping jig.
Finesse jigs are not equipped with weedguards strong enough to deflect thick weeds and timber. On top of that, the tackle and line you are using with these baits does not have the power to be horsing fish out of that thick cover.
Secondly, you would typically fish a finesse jig a lot slower than you would a flipping jig. Not only does it take longer for a lighter jig to reach the bottom, you typically want to work finesse baits slower than other lures. The disadvantage here is you cover a lot more water with a flipping jig than a finesse jig.
