Guido Hibdon - 1991 and 1990 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, and 1988 BASS Masters Classic champion - on the finer points of finesse fishing.

Finesse Fishing

The popularity of bass fishing is at an all-time high, and bass are more finicky than ever. One of the biggest advantages to finesse fishing is that you can follow other fishermen down a bank and take fish they've missed because your presentation is more natural.

Line And Lures

Fish that are spooky will often bite the littlest thing that looks natural. So the lighter the line and lure you use, the more bites you're likely to get. I use eight- to 10-pound test line and 1/16- to 1/8-ounce baits.

Hooks

Use ultra-fine wire hooks -- hooks that are needle sharp and will sort of slide in. You don't want a fish going crazy around heavy cover.

Setting The Hook

You don't cross eyeballs when you set the hook in finesse fishing-- you lead the fish out. Just keep a little bit of tension on your worm, and the fish will usually follow it. Once he's out of the brush, then you can set the hook. And it's more of a pull, really, than a hard hookset. The rod does all the work.

The Right Rod And Reel

It takes a certain kind of rod to throw these little baits. My rod has a real fast tip that lets me throw a lighter line in places I might otherwise pass up. It also helps me feel small baits working in the cover. I like plenty of backbone, so I can land just about any size fish I get ahold of. The reel I use is Daiwa TDX-25001 spinning reel, an oversized reel that's perfect for finesse fishing.

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