Top 3 Finesse Bass Baits When the Bite Gets Tough

Pro bass angler Jonathan Dietz shares his top 3 favorite finesse bass fishing tactics on fisheries throughout the country. Few anglers question the drop shot rig, Ned rig, and Damiki rig as dominant fish catchers nationwide. And while they’re known to excel in the clear glacial lakes of the north, these setups perform everywhere, including dirty water. Think about it. Real minnows don’t vibrate or rattle—bass find their food and make a living no matter the clarity.

TACKLE USED (retail links)
Drop Shot Setup
• PLASTIC – Z-Man Finesse WormZ, color – Green Pumpkin: Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Finesse_Wormz/descpage-ZMANFNW.html?from=w2fish)
• HOOK – Lazer TroKar Drop Shot Hook: Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lazer_Trokar_Drop_Shot_Hook_7pk/descpage-ECTDSH.html?from=w2fish)
• WEIGHT – Drop Shot Weight, 1/4 ounce: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/FishUSA-Tungsten-Drop-Shot-Weights-Pro-Pack/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Drop_Shot_Weights/catpage-TTDSW.html?from=w2fish)
• ROD – ARK Invoker Pro Series Spinning Rod: Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ark_Invoker_Pro_Series_Spinning_Rods/descpage-ARKPSS.html?from=w2fish)
• REEL – Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel (STC3000XGFM), replaces the Stradic FL: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Shimano-Stradic-FL-Spinning-Reel/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Stradic_FL_Spinning_Reel/descpage-STGL.html?from=w2fish)
• LINE (leader) – P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon Line, 10-pound: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/P-Line-Tactical-Fluorocarbon/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/P-Line_Tactical_Fluorocarbon_Line/descpage-PLS.html?from=w2fish)
• LINE (braided mainline) – P-Line SPIN-X Braid, 10-pound: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/P-Line-Spin-X-Braided-Line/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/P-Line_SPIN-X_Braid/descpage-PLSX.html?from=w2fish)

Ned Rig Setup
• PLASTIC – Z-Man Finesse TRD, color – The Deal: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Z-Man-Finesse-TRD/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Finesse_TRD_8pk/descpage-ZMANTRD.html?from=w2fish)
• JIG – Z-Man Finesse Football NedZ Jig Head, 1/4-ounce: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Z-Man-Football-NedZ-Jig-Heads/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Finesse_Football_Nedz_Jig_Head_3pk/descpage-ZMFTN.html?from=w2fish)
• ROD – ARK Essence Series Spinning Rod, 7’1″ Med Xfast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ark_Essence_Series_Spinning_Rods/descpage-ABES.html?from=w2fish)
• REEL – Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel (STC3000XGFM), replaces the Stradic FL: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Shimano-Stradic-FL-Spinning-Reel/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Stradic_FL_Spinning_Reel/descpage-STGL.html?from=w2fish)
• LINE – Same as above

Damiki Rig Setup
• PLASTIC – Scented Jerk ShadZ, color – Bad Shad: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Z-Man-Scented-Jerk-Shadz/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Scented_Jerk_Shadz/descpage-ZMANJKS.html?from=w2fish)
• JIG – Z-Man Finesse EyeZ Minnow Jig Head, 1/4-ounce: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Z-Man-Finesse-EyeZ-Jig-Heads/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Finesse_Eyez_Minnow_Style_Jig_Head_3pk/descpage-ZFEM.html?from=w2fish)
• ROD – ARK Essence Series Spinning Rod, 7’1″ Med Xfast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ark_Essence_Series_Spinning_Rods/descpage-ABES.html?from=w2fish)
• REEL – Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel (STC3000XGFM), replaces the Stradic FL: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/Shimano-Stradic-FL-Spinning-Reel/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Stradic_FL_Spinning_Reel/descpage-STGL.html?from=w2fish)
• LINE (leader) – P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon Line, 12-pound: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/P-Line-Tactical-Fluorocarbon/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/P-Line_Tactical_Fluorocarbon_Line/descpage-PLS.html?from=w2fish)
• LINE (braided mainline) – P-Line SPIN-X Braid, 10-pound: Buy at FishUSA (https://www.fishusa.com/P-Line-Spin-X-Braided-Line/), Buy at Tackle Warehouse (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/P-Line_SPIN-X_Braid/descpage-PLSX.html?from=w2fish)

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