April 2011 Column: The Bass Bureau

“Power Finesse with Skinny Bear Jigs”
 By
Billy "Hawkeye" Decoteau

            The term Power-Finesse seems to have become a staple within bass angler’s conversations! And, rightfully so! I suppose an interview with a variety of Pro-Anglers would reveal a variety of opinions and differences on the technique specifics? With that I am going to flip back several years to a conversation I had with the Top-Water King Zell Rowland. (The term Power-Finesse was yet to be spawned!)

Zell’s top-water situation can be compared to just about any technique, and the results can be rewarding! For Rowland’s top-water approach he utilized his signature series Pop-R in three-different sizes, and only a few natural colors. Considering Zell’s largest Pop-R as his Power technique and his smallest Pop-R as his Finesse technique, Zell would quickly change colors in the same size once the bass stop hitting his bait, then rotate into a Finesse approach working his way down to his smallest Pop-R. If one color seemed dominating Zell would stick with this color and only change sizes as the top-water bite seem to diminish.

Zell Rowland based this technique on the fact there were more bass in that same area! Rather than keep switching to different style baits, or running all over the lake, the Top-Water King continued with what was working! It’s no secret small minute changes can keep bass biting, however savvy anglers need to stay in touch with their surroundings and become one with nature to be successful!

Thus, enters Skinny Bear Bass Jigs of California. For years it has been one of the best-kept secrets, earning anglers in the know thousands of dollars. Slowly seeping out in California and then throughout the entire western bass-angling region. Skinny Bear Bass Jigs was revealed to me as a one-two punch, not only for filling your livewell, but more so for scraping out extra bass in an area when they stop biting! (www.SkinnyBearBassJigs.com)

Location coupled with presentation is the key to success; you cannot have one with out the other! However, once you have located the bass finding the correct presentations to entice these bass to eat your bait requires patience and persistence.
Let’s take the technique of Draggin Football Head jigs for example. The Draggin technique of Football Head jigs can be applied to every area you would work a Carolina rig, and much more. Draggin Football heads, not only covers an area quickly, it can also be presented in a wide range of speeds! Skinny Bear Bass Jigs are all meticulously hand-tied, with thick flowing fine living rubber skirts emitting a lifelike appearance. While EWG Gamakatsu Hooks assure solid hook-ups and 24-strand color coordinated weedguards keep your bait weedless throughout your presentation.

The difference from a Carolina Rig, is a Football Head will wobble side-to-side, keep your trailer pointing up at an angle and most importantly telegraph through your line, down your rod and right back to the reel seat, every minute piece of cover this bottom bumping bait comes in contact with! While, all of your bottom contact, kicking up debris and bait action is located in the same enticing place…..at the Hook!!!
The Power size of Draggin Football Heads comes into play with large profile heavy 1 oz football jigs.  Starting with a Skinny Bear Elite Series 1 oz Football Head, it’s imperative to utilize balanced tackle. Sensitive non-stretch abrasive resistant fluorocarbon line is an extremely important factor, as is your rod choice. When it comes to choice of color try to stick with natural forage colors, as well as colors for changing water clarity on your particular bodies of water. Skinny Bear offers a wide selection of natural forage base colors, and custom colors are also available.

Bassmaster Elite Angler and 2011 Classic Qualifier Keith Combs of Del Rio, Texas recommends the following. “Seaguar AbrazX 20 lb Fluorocarbon has twice the abrasion resistant, is designed for heavy cover and remains soft and extremely sensitive, even in cold water situations such as Dragging during the spring,” says Combs. Adding, “This coupled with a Power Tackle Football Jig Special 7’6” rod, allows me to make the long cast needed in this technique. Yet its light 4.5 oz weight and moderate fast medium heavy action, aids in preventing jumping bass from throwing my heavy football jigs.”

When it comes to spooling your fluorocarbon on specific gear ratio reels, pro anglers have their own personal choice in gear ratio, line retrieve and reels. A rule of thumb is to go with a super fast 7.1:1 retrieve reel in really heavy cover to get the bass out quickly, and fast 6.5:1 retrieve reels for most other situations. Yet some Football Draggin Guru’s prefer a slow cranking reel with a 5.4:1 gear ratio, as they meticulously crawl their jig along the bottom! As a recommendation from Bassmaster Classic Champions Guido and Dion Hibdon take a close look at US Reel’s SuperCaster 1000 Pro, they are available in all three gear ratios, thus meeting the needs for every angler. (www.USReels.com)

One of the key factors to the ‘Power-Finesse’ technique lies within the addition of your jig trailers profile and appearance. “It’s imperative to make the impression that your bait represents either a crawfish or a baitfish,” says Ranger/Evinrude Pro Angler Pete Glusezk. So when it comes to choosing jig trailers this FLW Champion has only one choice! “Power Team Lures Craw/Creature baits, allow me to cover a wide range of profiles. Rigging a Diesel Craw or Bully Grass Devil, my Power Jig has a long slender appearance. While a 4.5” Convection Craw profiles a large bulky Power Jig profile.”

Switching to the Finesse side of the Power-Finesse technique, Gluszek is quick to add, “Power Team Lures 3.5” Craw D’Oeuvre, allows me to keep working the same size jig along the bottom, however its smaller profile gives off a finesse appearance!”
Here in lies the Skinny Bear Bass Jig secret to the Power-Finesse technique! Contact with your jig at all times coupled with the type of cover bass are relating to puts your jig in the right place! However, many times this location is deeper than most Finesse jigs can reach quickly, while contact with your jig is often lost! Yes, trimming back the shirt on your heavy Power jig pair with a smaller trailer presents a smaller Finesse profile. And, many times will entice an additional bass, yet it still has the same basic appearance!

Switching to a ¼, 3/8 or ½ oz Skinny Bear Football Head ‘Mullet Pro Series Finesse Jig’, hand tied with fine round living rubber, the same lifelike crawfish appearance is presented. While a smaller Owner light wire quick penetrating hook assures solidly pegged bass. This one-two Skinny Bear Bass Jig Power-to-Finesse switch-up has earned savvy anglers thousands of dollars in tournaments. While recreational bass anglers keep the Skinny Bear Bass Jig Secret in a livewell filled with an extra bass or two! (Note: Cutting a Power Team Lures Craw D’Oeuvre shorter and rigging it on the Mullet Pro Jig presents is awesome Finesse tactic for smallmouth bass!) 

Anglers interested in finding out more about Skinny Bear Bass Jig Techniques may contact Loren Serda @ 1.661.203.6497. While, visiting Power Team Lures @ www.PowerTeamLures.com will reveal their latest Power-Finesse Bass Baits!
God Bless and Best Bass’n