The first time I heard stories of the “Midwest Finesse” method for bass-fishing (http://www.in-fisherman.com/bass/z-man-goes-to-canada-an-update/), I had recently moved to Ottawa, an area more known for smallmouth fishing than the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario that I hailed from, which was dominated by a focus on largemouth bass fishing. It immediately stood out to me how applicable this method could be for targeting Ontario Shield Lake smallies.
I studied the tactics as presented by Ned Kehde and others through their series of reports and articles during the off-season before I could get back out on the water. With the return of soft-water season in Ontario, I caught over 50 Smallmouth in several hours of fishing using modified mushroom jig heads and Senko worms cut in half during my first outing.
I was blown away at the simplistic concept of Midwest Finesse, of doing more with less, and I felt I was getting quite adept at it for bassing across Ontario, because it worked everywhere. I was totally “sold” on this concept for fishing bass.
When the news came out the following year that Z-Man was taking the Midwest Finesse system mainstream with their series of Ned Kehde-inspired “Shroomz” jigheads and Finesse TRD baits, I found myself eagerly anticipating my first opportunity to try them. Looking back now, I realize I had many reasons to be excited.
The Z-Man Finesse TRD in assorted colors
This series of baits and jig heads was extremely productive for me in several outings across Ontario for all species of bass during the summer of 2015. In certain situations they produced fish when other techniques and baits wouldn’t, even at times out-performing live-bait, and I also found uses for them other than targeting bass, as I was able to coax Walleye to bite them too by modifying my approach.
On an outing just east of Parry Sound, Ontario, I was shocked when my first pass along a long stretch of isolated Canadian Shield shoreline with my top water didn’t produce the usual theatrics. When I slowed down with a drop-shot presentation, I had a few bites but nothing that I was expecting – quite unusual for the body of water I was on.
I put down the drop-shot rod and picked up my Shimano Compre Worm and Jig rod, spooled with 15 pound PowerPro line (green) and 10 pound fluorocarbon leader, with the 1/10 oz. Shroomz jighead and Canada Craw-colored Finesse TRD ready to go. This is the “Ned Rig” used in the Midwest finesse system of fishing.
Instantaneously as the bait reached the near-bottom depths of the flats I was casting onto I felt a familiar pulling sensation and set the hook. My heart raced as a Shield Smallie burst to the surface with acrobatic flips.
The TRD produced fish like this the entire summer, and when bites proved elusive I could always dredge up something with the Z-Man Ned Rig. Another factor that I liked is the hook used on the Shroomz jighead stood up to a lot of abuse I put it through. From fishing rocky conditions to hauling bigger fish to the boat, the hook stood up to abuse and stayed sharp and straight. It is not uncommon to have big fish either bend or completely break a poor quality hook/jig so this was very good to see from this particular product, and it also helped provide additional confidence when on the water.
The Z-Man Finesse TRD is built to catch you fish, as evidenced through the unique bumpy perforations designed into the bait to enhance vibrations throughout the water column.
You don’t just need to “Ned Rig” the TRD, either. I tried to drop-shot using them and they produced bass, as did a split-shot setup. On a hot summer day when bass were deep, I even tried Carolina-rigging the TRD to get it into the 25+ foot depth-range and produced fish.
The action on the TRD is enhanced by the use of “ElaZTech” ™ materials in the bait. This not only makes your bait durable, soft and stretchy, it also gives it realistic movements that pulsate in the water attracting fish through its vibrations. I credit the unique design for its success.
After a full season of using the Z-Man Shroomz jigheads and the Finesse TRD, I’m even more of a believer in the Midwest Finesse system of fishing then ever before. Outdoor Action Ontario is pleased to provide this quality product with our stamp of approval and we look forward to catching many more fish with these baits over the years to come.
You can find more information on this product here: http://zmanfishing.com/store/categories/elaztech/finesse_TRD
http://zmanfishing.com/store/categories/jigsspinners/finesse_shroomz