Originally posted by: Ray White on 5/16/2005 6:16:31 PM

Bass fishing, technology has greatly envolved over the years. In years past, the terms fitness and bass fishing was usually not in the same conversation. If they were, it was. In regards to smaller tackle an ultralight equipment. However, as the numbers of bass fishing competitions has increased along with the pressure put on bodies of water, fitness fishing for bass has almost become a necessity to be successful. To me, the term fitness, when talking about bass fishing, is more of a technique Then reduction in Beit size. I have discovered that the ultimate big fish bait can be fitnessed. From four-inch to 12 inch worms or lizards. Here's how, don't move your bait with your rod or reel. You simply just reach up forward of the reel and grasp the line between your forefinger and thumb and move it ever so slowly or just lightly twitch the line. As you pull it towards the real then just take up the slack on the real. This technique can be used on bass jigs as well, just remember to let it pause for a few seconds. Between each movement. While downsizing may enter the picture fitnessing jigs or worms is more about minimal noise and movement, while targeting structure thoroughly. This is a technique I basically stumbled across back in the 80s, but it has given me a lot of confidence. When targeting bass round structure. If done correctly, finessing a jig or worm can catch bass that most other angers won't catch. This technique had gained the name back in the 80s as the Cincinnati crawl.