By Steve Chaconas

In bassing’s 70s beginnings, big spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms were angler arsenal mainstays, requiring heavy lines and gear for shallow water power fishing. However, California innovator Don Iovino was developing deep water, light line, finesse methods for catching big bass. His mid-1970s approaches were honed on clear-water western reservoirs. Iovino opened the minds of anglers around the world.

Proving his light-line finesse-fishing prowess, Iovino won 5 national titles. In 1985 he was the U.S. BASS Angler of the year in both the West and North Divisions. Videos, seminars, and countless interviews shared his finesse and electronics techniques he used to catch fish where anglers hadn’t gone before. His book, “Finesse Bass Fishing & the Sonar Connection”, laid the groundwork for today’s electronics fishing.

Iovino’s light line adaptations secured acceptance in today’s finesse presentations, delivering tournaments wins. Shaky heads, drop shots, finesse worms, and other light line rigs can be traced to Iovino. But light line fishing would not have been possible had Iovino not overcome the inadequate gear available in bass fishing’s early days.

In the 1970s, competitive bass fishing was gaining popularity and considered a sport. But fishing reel quality was lacking. Bait casting reels weren’t very light, small, or mechanically efficient. However, these reels were preferred over spinning reels as they offered better casting control and handled monofilament lines without excessive line memory affecting function and performance.

Legendary Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Iovino sought a reel that would accommodate his evolving technique in using light line, down to 6-pound test. He needed a smooth reel that allowed line to spool freely to reach depths of 30 feet and with a drag system enabling him to battle big largemouth on light line. This was important as rods and lines could not handle powerful surges of deep-water bass.

As competitive bass fishing took hold, anglers sought better gear like Swedish-made Ambassadeur 2500Cs. According to Iovino, those reels fit into the palm of your hand while working finesse rigs. From there, Iovino tailored reels to specific aesthetic angler style and image. The only upgrade that was sent out was painting or chrome plating.

Shape, size, and engineering made Swedish Ambassador reels popular. However, they weren’t very fast and lacked smooth drag systems. Iovino felt the design was perfect but needed a tune up with upgraded and machined components. Iovino’s military aviation technician experience commanded precision and understanding where and how to improve fishing reels. Materials, bearings, and lubricants were key to supercharging his reels.

Iovino’s modifications often included lighter level wind assemblies and lighter custom spools to reduce inertia and improve casting with ultralight lures. Lining spools with cork reduced the amount of line required to fill the spool. Iovino felt the speed of the reels had to be greatly increased to take up line to control fish from long distances. By changing gears, Iovino greatly increased gear ratios from 3:1 to 6:1, nearly doubling the speed. Gears were replaced with his manufactured parts and were detailed by hand to ensure each tooth meshed with the other gears for strong and solid performance. Plastic was replaced with metal.

Drag systems were redesigned to be dependable and smooth to prevent light line breakage. Thinner lines had less water resistance, enabling baits to get deeper, providing better feel of subtle bites, and allowing better hooksets. As an aviation tech, Iovino discovered materials never used in fishing reel drag systems for smoother performance when using lighter line. Iovino’s redesigned drag plates and washers, with a dab of Vaseline preventing moisture, provided smooth line release.

Reel bearings allow spools to operate freely for line to travel. According to Iovino, bearings manufactured overseas were not precisely constructed with tight tolerances, nor were they consistent. US manufactured bearings replaced bronze bushings. Bearings were added in other areas, like spool shafts, to provide more stability and tighter spool tolerances and aligned the worm gear to allowed it to perform freely. US companies met his requirements, including lighter ceramic bearings. Manufactured to tight specifications for smooth casting, ceramic bearings didn’t heat up and performed at full capacity all day. Enhancing smooth operation, a special Remington gun oil was applied.

Enlisting a California lure maker, to hand pour limber soft-plastic reapers and finesse worms, set the standard for future finesse baits. The blended and laminated colors of today’s soft plastics were inspired by Iovino’s early creations. Don Iovino Products, selling painted sinkers, soft plastics, and topwaters was formed in 1974.

Details mattered to Iovino. Expecting perfection from his reel was only as good as the line used. Working with Wisconsin-based Mohawk Line Company he chose a monofilament line with consistent diameter without defects along the line. Iovino also designed finesse rods.

Selling as fast as he could build them, in the 1980s Iovino reels sold for $3-500. Today these vintage handmade masterpieces sell for $1000 and more. His highest selling reel was a custom gold-plated jewel made for an Arab Shiek that commanded $5000.

Across a nearly half century career, Iovino has done more to cultivate finesse fishing than anyone. His influence is seen in tackle stores, tackleboxes, and the deck of every bass boat. Don Iovino has earned his title, “The Godfather of Finesse.”

Potomac River Bassing in NOVEMBER

Grass is disappearing. Fish are gravitating to what’s left or seeking hard cover like wood and docks.

Fish with 6-10 foot diving crankbaits in firetiger or chartreuse patterns on 10-pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line. Hit cover and pause. Lipless cranks on the same line find fish on scattered grass.

Otherwise, ½ ounce jigs and Texas rigged Mizmo tubes on 12-pound test Gamma Edge, and 3/16-ounce bullet weights pitched to cover will work.

When colder, use avocado stingray grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jigs on spinning gear with 10-pound Gamma Torque braid with 10-pound Edge leader. Work slowly, pause, allow baits to glide.

About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac river reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.