Slide baiting

Slide traces are used to get big baits in to deeper water, by clipping the slide clip to your line and shaking it down to where your sinker lies. Baits that generally are too big to cast out are ideal for sliding. Most popular place to use this method is off deep water points, were one targets big sharks and rays with either a dead or live bait. Edible species are also targeted with the slide trace namely Mulloway, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, amongst others.

TYPICAL BITE

When using big baits one stands a better change of hooking bigger fish and generally the bite is felt with a heavy pull or sometimes, slack line, do not strike, simply drop your rod tip and reel in to the fish. Striking too early will result in burn off, often line peels off the reel with great speed as the fish makes a strong run. Some fights can last for many hours, the trick is to save as much energy so that you have enough power to pull when its most needed…

TIP

Always check your knots, make sure your hooks are sharp and that you have enough line on your reel to handle your species. .50 to .55 is recommended for sliding any line with thinner diameter becomes a problem with burn off.

Always make sure the slide clip is free running and facing to where your sinker lies. Sliding baits is easier off a high vantage point, or if you are sliding with current into deeper water. Try making your bait as drag resistant as possible, hooks are standing proud when baited. The use of a grapnel sinker is very important as big baits need anchorage in strong current; the bigger your bait, the heavier the sinker that is needed.

DRAWBACK’S OF SLIDING

Sliding in the wrong conditions (slide not going all the way down to the stopper ring due to heavy currents, weed in the water etc) have a tendency to tangle up on your line, when this happens as the fish grabs hold of your bait and makes a run this can result in a burn off.