Finesse
A ball or stand-up jig head (1/8–3/8 oz) rigged with a straight-tail finesse worm nose-hooked. The worm stands upright on the bottom when the bait is at rest, quivering with the slightest rod shake. Exceptional in clear water, on points, and whenever fish are relating to the bottom and ignoring bigger presentations.
Setup & Gear
| Rod | 7'–7'2" medium spinning or medium-light casting rod |
| Reel | 2500–3000 spinning or low-profile casting |
| Line | 8–10 lb fluorocarbon or 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluoro leader |
| Weight | 3/16–3/8 oz stand-up or ball head |
| Hook | Size 1–2/0 integrated, or 2/0 EWG weedless |
Best Conditions
Clear water, hard bottom, rocky points and gravel, post-spawn, pressured fish, summer offshore structure
Seasonal Tactics
spring
Gravel flats and staging areas pre-spawn. Green pumpkin and natural colors on clear water.
summer
Offshore points and drops at 10–20 feet. Drag slowly with occasional shaking.
fall
Transition zones and points. Natural baitfish colors as shad move in.
winter
Slow drag on deep structure. One of the best cold-water bottom baits alongside ned rig.
Hank's Pro Tip
Fish it on a tight line with the rod at 10 o'clock — drag slowly, then shake in place for 3–5 seconds. The action comes from the rod tip trembling, not big rod sweeps.
Frequently Asked
7'–7'2" medium spinning or medium-light casting rod. Pair it with a 2500–3000 spinning or low-profile casting, spooled with 8–10 lb fluorocarbon or 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluoro leader. Use 3/16–3/8 oz stand-up or ball head.
Clear water, hard bottom, rocky points and gravel, post-spawn, pressured fish, summer offshore structure
Spring: Gravel flats and staging areas pre-spawn. Green pumpkin and natural colors on clear water. Fall: Transition zones and points. Natural baitfish colors as shad move in.
Fish it on a tight line with the rod at 10 o'clock — drag slowly, then shake in place for 3–5 seconds. The action comes from the rod tip trembling, not big rod sweeps.
More Techniques
Want to know when to throw this?
He'll tell you exactly what to tie on — no hedging.
Ask Hank →