Hot Techniques: Slow Death Trolling

Several years ago in the Dakotas, a new technique was developed for crawler trolling. The “Slow death method” has been used on many of the tournament trails for the past several years, but has been a guarded secret by many of the users of this method. This method is geared at Walleye, but is very effective on Bass, Pike and other fish species.

This very simple set up works similar to a crawler harness setup used for trolling on just about every body of water in the Midwest which allows trolling. The system does not include a spinning blade, but the other components are similar. The key to the system is the hook.

The specially bent Aberdeen hook features an “S” bend on the shank of the hook Part of the reason many fisherman are unfamiliar with this method is the precise angle bends of the hook required to make the system work. In 2008, Mustad will be offering the first hook manufactured specifically for this method. To my knowledge it is the only slow death hook on the market. The item number is 33862, and comes in the colors of brass, gold and red.

To rig, use your base trolling rig setup with a swivel and bottom bouncer ahead of a leader of 10-17 pound monofilament line. Slide a small colored bead onto the line and tie on the slow death hook. Remember, no blade should be used in this system.

Thread the night crawler onto the hook, following the bends in the Aberdeen hook. Make sure to follow the crawler all the way up the shank, and then slightly past the eyelet of the hook onto the main line. This will straighten the crawler out, and give a more natural presentation in the water. Leave a small tail on the crawler, maybe a 1/2 inch, and pinch off the rest of the crawler. 

Corkscrew action of the worm

The system acts as a corkscrew in the water. The bottom bouncer is acting as your sound and vibration system, and the bait is creating a unique action in the water. The action of the worm is similar to that of a stunned baitfish caught in a river current. With the presentation, the bait will run in the bottom foot of the water column.

The slow death rig must be fished very slowly. Moving the bait too fast with this system will result in a very slow day of fishing. Typically the range of speed is in the 0.5-0.9 mph range. The idea is to get this bait into all the nooks and crannies which a base spinner rig will hop over. Try to get your line at a 45 degree angle behind the boat if possible, and that should be a good indicator your system is running correctly in the water. One of the reasons no blades are used in the presentation is because at these slow speeds, the blade won’t turn. 

This is a very methodical presentation, which can be deadly on all species of fish. Give it a try on your next trip out on the water.