Power-Fishing: Trolling motor on high, covering water quick, rifling casts with medium- to heavy-power casting tackle, using heavy line, ripping big hardbaits like cranks, spinnerbaits, jerks, and lipless cranks with erratic action, attempting to force a reaction from active, aggressive bass. Typical line choices include 12- to 20-pound fluorocarbon or braids of 20 to 50 pounds, depending on cover density and type.
Finesse Fishing: When bass are concentrated and wired in, with the trolling motor on low, making long casts with light line, light to medium-light spinning rods in the 7- to 7-foot 6-inch range, 1/16- to 3/32-ounce rigs or jigs, and making slow, subtle presentations with hair or soft-baits to “finesse” grouped, spooky, pressured bass. Typically, presentation is slow with light weights and jigs, and 4- to 6-pound mono…
