By Gilford Sipes
One of the changes in slow trolling that has made a big difference in the last ten years is the use of longer poles. I would say 14-foot poles are the minimum length for serious fishermen today with longer 16-foot poles being better. The boat shadows, boat noise and trolling motor noise are a little further away from the fish and that helps a lot. There are several good poles available but my favorites are by BnM.
Everything is based upon being quiet as a mouse. Drop a Coke can and you’re through catching in that area, at least for good fish.
I like floats when the water is less than five feet deep. They are mainly used to see sideways movements. It gives you a little jump on setting the hook compared to not using the floats.
Baits vary depending upon what the fish want, but Road Runner heads produce a lot of good fish. I prefer the 2.0 head with the gold willow leaf blade tipped with a minnow. No plastic body on the head. It’s funny because I don’t use a body on my jig heads but will often push a plastic body up on the shank of my minnow hook to add color. Sounds reversed, but it’s just something that has worked for me.
Gilford ‘Sonny’ Sipes is sponsored by BnM Poles, Road Runner and others. He guides in Mississippi; telephone # 205-919-0982.
