dtrs5kprs Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Couple of folks asked about fishing the little guy under a float, like a float and fly more or less. Have not tried it, but knew one of Ned's FNN posters had mentioned it in a report. Ned was kind enough to look up the info and pass it along to be posted here: "Dave: Burton used to use a Beetle below a bobber decades ago, which was the first 2 ½-inch ZinkerZ. You can post Burton’s log on the Ozark website for folks to read: . Burton Bosley of Sutton, West Virginia, filed the following brief on the Finesse News Network about his maiden float-and-fly endeavor on Nov. 30. When Bosley lived in Kansas City in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he fished incessantly with Chuck Woods of Kansas City, who many of us trumpet as the architect of the art and science of Midwest finesse fishing. After he left Kansas, Bosley was a saltwater guide, who fished nearly all over the world, and a largemouth bass guide in south Florida. Without a doubt, he is the most versatile angler and contributor on the Finesse News Network. Here’s what he wrote: “Winter is a great time for small baits and slow retrieves. Not content with catching fish on the Z-Man’s Finesse T.R.D., which has been reliable, I have built myself a float-and-fly rod from an old 10-foot, eight-weight G. Loomis fly rod, which I once used for bonefish and permit. “I went out last Sunday with a friend, who is a professional bass fisherman and who had also built a float-and-fly rod, and we tried our floats and flies for suspended bass on a maddeningly difficult reservoir. “The surface temperature was 48 degrees, and the air temperature was 48 degrees. The wind was strong and gusty, and it rained on and off. We knew there were more effective ways to target bass with that set of parameters but we brought only the float-and-fly equipment. “We fished from 7:00 a.m to noon, which was enough for me. “We rigged a 1/16-ounce hair jig eight to 12 feet below the float. The float was attached to braided line, and below the float, we used six-pound-test fluorocarbon line for the leader. “I was happily surprised that we caught seven spotted bass. They were in steep drains (or nooks) and bluffs. “Except for the depth of water and length of rods, it was reminiscent of the times I floated a jig or a Beetle below a bobber for largemouth bass back in windy Kansas. There was a learning curve involved with casting such a long leader. But this method lets you put a small unthreatening bait right in their face and keeps it there for an indefinite period. I decided it was a finesse application that will be more fruitful when the water gets even colder, and when it is difficult for me to hold the Finesse T.R.D. affixed to a jig in their face for a length of time. . “In the near future, I intend to try Z-Man’s Scented LeechZ. I tried Z-Man’s Finesse ShadZ without success, but when the shad kill hits when the water temperature is around 42 degrees, I believe it may be effective. I am fascinated by the challenge of suspended bass, and I think this will add to my finesse arsenal for the dead of winter, which is our big fish time here. But I still have much to learn about this method, and whether it will become a regular part of my cold-water arsenal only time will tell. “An afterthought: after spending the last few decades in south Florida and points south, I was very appreciative of the advances in cold-weather rain gear that keeps an old guy warm and dry in such onerous conditions.” " Not sure how much that helps, except perhaps to again rule out the Shadz. I saw quite a few smallmouth caught from my backseat last April on a Garland crappie bait below a float. Don was looking for crappie while I finesse fished. Gave up due to all of the bass.
*T* Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 January 8, 2015, I jokingly posted on the "Just can't decide between the Float-n-Ned or the Ned A-rig. Will need a new rod for each set-up." Guess that's a real option after all. What's next?? "Water is the driving force of all Nature." -Leonardo da Vinci
dtrs5kprs Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 Next: Punching it and flipping it with a little tungsten weight. Kind of pricey to fish it that way with all of our rock unless you are flipping it in wood, or better yet grass in small lakes. Hard to find a hook that works too. The float deal is new to me, but thought I would post it for the sake of being complete. Does not sound like it hammers them. I do know Burton is a very good fisherman, one of the guys who are connected to the shop in KC where the Beetle started. Guided in FL for many years.
abkeenan Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Next adventure......All Ned A-Rig aka A-Team?
dtrs5kprs Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 Next adventure......All Ned A-Rig aka A-Team? I've actually thought about it. Last year when they were basically fighting each other for food would have been perfect for it. Have drawn up a few ideas, but not quite crazy enough to do it yet.
abkeenan Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 I've actually thought about it. Last year when they were basically fighting each other for food would have been perfect for it. Have drawn up a few ideas, but not quite crazy enough to do it yet. Who are you kidding? You are plenty crazy enough already to try it (Self proclaimed to have a Madman's Glee I once read somewhere). You're just a gutless as Coach Krzyzewski. Heyyyooooo! Sorry, have to take my basketball frustrations out on you as my Tigers are just so pathetic. Worst season they have had since the early 60's. When you talking about the worst team a school has had in a half century that is really saying something...and not for the good. Pretty sure Duke could beat MIZZOU with only 3 guys out on the floor for your Blue Devils. March "Dave" Madness is right around the corner which would be a fitting time to unveil your FrankenTURD Rig
abkeenan Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Why would we need 3 guys? 1 to score and play defense while the other 2 laugh uncontrollably at how bad we are.
dtrs5kprs Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 1 to score and play defense while the other 2 laugh uncontrollably at how bad we are. Ahhh...kind of like a light bulb joke. Maybe we will test it in the tournament. Oh, guess not...
abkeenan Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Ahhh...kind of like a light bulb joke. Maybe we will test it in the tournament. Oh, guess not... Def not. Going to go stretch out some Zinkers in your honor so I can get some more salt in my wounds.
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