Les Smith power trolling rig is outfitted with a 36-volt Minn Kota
that can handle long hours of high-speed trolling for crappie.
Crappie Basics: Power Trolling
by Tim Huffman
Power trolling resembles slow trolling or spider rigging, except speeds are much faster and usually the baits are bigger. It uses 14-18-foot poles to push crankbaits, spinners and heavy jigs. Moving between 1.5 and 2 mph, the method covers a lot of water fast while offering multiple lures. Fast baits trigger reaction bites from fish that might ignore a slow-trolled lure.
Les Smith, a Mississippi power trolling expert, said, “To run fast with 3-ounce weights you need the right gear.”
He prefers a B’n’M Pow-R-Troller pole, a B’n’M Pro reel loaded with 15-pound-test Stren monofilament.
He says the technique works year-round but does best in warmer water temperatures.
Learn more about power trolling and many other great modern crappie techniques in Huffman’s newest book, Papermouth, available on Amazon.
