®
Senko falls with an alluring
body quiver, while the Kut Tail, because of its thinner tapered body sinks with a different, yet effective action. By adding a small nail weight to the head of the Senko or Kut Tail, I now have an ultra- finesse Neko Rig.
I also like to fish the Senko by rigging it with a 1/16 oz darter head on a #2 Gamakatsu light wire hook. This is my western twist on the popular Ned Rig. The Kut Tail, when paired with a darter head, is 100% old school, western ultra-finesse.
Both baits work great on a drop shot rig as well. Try rigging them with a #2 drop shot hook and a light weight cylindrical drop shot sinker. Finally for another dose of old school, western ultra-finesse, fish the Senko or the Kut Tail on the back a split shot rig. In place of a traditional crimp on split shot I prefer a mojo style weight held in place with a pair of bobber stops. A # 2 Gamakatsu light wire worm hook rounds out the required rigging.
I prefer to fish the lightest weight jig head or sinker that will allow me to present the bait effectively. Using a lighter weight not only produces a more natural presentation but it also forces you to slow down, another plus for tough bite situations.
54
Natural
colors go hand in hand with the ultra-finesse motif. Translucent shades of green, brown and gray are top choices.
THE DELIVERY SYSTEM
The final step to building an effective ultra-finesse presentation is to match the bait and line with a compatible rod and reel combination. Spinning tackle is the name of the game when it comes to light line fishing. I use a 2500 series spinning reel with a quality drag. When using 4 lb test, there is no room for a reel with an inferior drag system. Another option is to bypass the drag altogether in favor of back reeling.
Choosing a suitable rod is especially critical. Not only does the rod need to effectively present and fish the bait properly, it needs to have sufficient power to set the hook, fight the fish and protect the line. Oh did I forget to mention that it must be sensitive as well. My selection is the Cousins Tackle GDS690S. At 6’9”, it is rated for line 4 to 8 lb test and I have found it to be an excellent choice for making ultra-finesse presentations.
So the next time your dream fishing trip turns into a tough day, don’t be afraid to scale down your traditional finesse offerings. Give your own “ultra- finesse” presentation a try and I am confident that you will pleased with the results.