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Downsizing is a term that translates into reducing the size of the lure. This approach to lure fishing originated in competition in the United States and has been exploited mainly in Japan, to lure difficult, educated black bass.
What is downsizing?
Downsizing is a fishing strategy that involves using smaller lures than usual to catch more, and sometimes even bigger! Black bass anglers created, named and popularized this approach.
The facts are that many black bass, solicited by many anglers, have seen and bitten on innumerable lures often ranging in size from 5 to 10 cm for hard lures and 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) for soft lures, often mounted on balls or weights of over 7 grams (1/4 oz)...
These black bass, "accustomed" to the size of standardized lures and the strong stimuli they emit, associate this with a potential danger. As a result, they no longer bite or bite poorly on these appetizing imitations.
The idea is to offer lures that are smaller, lighter and less bulky, emitting weaker stimuli and generating less water displacement.
The use of smaller lures and the downsizing philosophy go hand in hand with technical and rigorous slow fishing rather than fast prospecting.
Lures emit few vibratory and visual signals, which is what they're designed to do, and you need to get your lure through as naturally as possible.
So fish slowly with the right equipment.
The right equipment
To cast, animate, feel your lure work and sometimes almost imperceptible touches, you need a very sensitive and light rod.
It was with this in mind that the baitfinesse was created (light fishing with a casting unit and spinning reel).
A UL to ML spinning rod will be perfect depending on the size of fish you're after. For soft lure fishing, opt for sensitive tip action rods with a high modulus carbon blank and possibly a solid tip for sensitivity and minimalist animations.
Small reels in the 1000 to 2500 range with braid or fluorocarbon are very popular. Several Japanese and American brands have even developed special reels for downsizing and light approaches, stamped "custom finesse" or "F", for "fluorocarbon", with a tapered spool adapted to the use of this monofilament.
The finer you fish, the further you'll cast, which is important in competition, especially from the shore. The braid will be between PE0.4 and PE 0.6, while the fluorcarbon will not exceed 24/100 diameter for a resistance of around 6 lbs (3 kg). What's more, your line will be almost imperceptible, in keeping with our aim of offering the most natural and unobtrusive imitation possible.
It all depends on the type of lure you're using. Downsizing can be used with all types of lures, whether soft, hard or metal.
Streetfishing application
Although the approach was created for black-bass fishing, it is largely transposable to streetfishing. The most sensitive fish in France are perch and chub, the emblematic species of urban fishing.
These fish, like the black bass mentioned above, can be very busy and no longer pay attention to noisy, visible imitations.
We therefore need to offer lures with less incentive, more food, to fool these wary fish.
While perch and chub are the primary targets of streetfishers, it's not uncommon to lure pike or asp with this approach. As an example, I've caught several asps in rivers on tiny Illex tiny fry 38s, where swimming fish barely larger than 65 mm, although very imitative, didn't provide any bites or follow-ups!
I'm not even talking about black bass, which are sometimes found in the rivers and canals of certain cities and are necessarily particularly sensitive to downsizing.
The advantages of tungsten
Today, tungsten is a widely used metal for weights.
It is denser than lead and harder. This means that for the same mass, it will be less bulky. This is an invaluable asset for reducing the size of the assembly and making its presentation as discreet as possible.
In addition, its greater hardness makes it easier to feel the lure or ballast when it makes contact with the bottom. Its material is less absorbent of waves and small shocks.
The use of tungsten weights goes hand in hand with downsizing.
