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Finesse lures often include slugs, but also specific models equipped with a ?V?-shaped tail. While this tail resembles that of forage fish, it is often positioned horizontally, which gives it a very distinctive action. This unusual shape and its very subtle vibrations raise many questions about how to use them.
Tail Lift
The tail is therefore positioned horizontally, and it is this characteristic that must be taken into account to understand its many uses. In fact, this position gives it buoyancy and stability in the water column. Thus, by resting on the water, the tail will move from bottom to top with a very small amplitude, producing very subtle vibrations?but enough to trigger a response from the bass.
In addition, the horizontal position of this tail allows it to move across the water column from right to left and slow the lure's descent when fishing on the fly.
Fly fishing, first and foremost
The primary and most common use for this type of lure is indeed fly fishing. Equipped with a head that?s usually triangular in shape, you can use quick, sharp rod tip movements to make your lure dart from right to left between the surface and deeper water. This technique is particularly effective on active sea bass, and this type of lure, thanks to its profile, is perfectly suited for it.
Scratch-off
When targeting wary and lethargic fish, finesse lures with a ?V?-shaped tail are particularly effective when fished very slowly along the bottom with minimal movement. You can make the tail quiver with slight tip movements while keeping your lure almost stationary. Pauses on the bottom?sometimes lengthy ones?also work very well, as this flexible tail reacts to the slightest water movement and remains attractive to fish. For this type of fishing, I particularly like to use lures equipped with an attractant.
Vertically
The last way I use this type of lure is for vertical fishing. I simply let my soft bait sink beneath the boat, and as soon as it touches the bottom, I lift it about ten centimeters off the bottom. The drift alone is enough to set the lure?s tail in motion, and the key to the action is following the contours of the bottom to stay at the right depth. For this type of fishing, a casting setup is a big plus, since the reel?s trigger allows you to quickly release line to keep up with the bottom?s contours.
You can fish this way without any action, or occasionally give your lure a slight twitch to accentuate the tail?s vibrations, or even use a sharper, jerky action from time to time to pique the curiosity of any predators in the area.
Effective on many types of fish
These lures are very effective at sea for sea bass, but also for many other marine species. In addition, they are widely used in freshwater for fishing for zander and perch, whether using the scraping technique or vertical jigging.
2 Must-See Highlights
As for me, my tackle box is stocked with two models ranging from 4 to 6 inches: the Fin's by Lunker City in natural colors, and the Gulp Alive by Berkley, which has a very effective attractant that makes up for its lack of flexibility.
