Sluggo Needs Improvement

[red herring]

I need some input on my slow trolled sluggo presentation. These are standard 9-12"ers, single hook with the shank buried in the front end, barb facing down, 12' fluoro leader.

Here's the thing - they troll without twirling (good) but the thing has zero action on it. It looks like a piece of rubber being pulled through the water rather than a swimming baitfish. They get bit once in a while so they are not totally being ignored but it seems to me that there is a lot of room for improvement. Maybe another brand? Or is it the rigging?

Suggestions?
Thxz

[capt.dan]

I've had good luck with the hook in the sluggo with the barb down and 10-12ft of fluro leader. Use whatever size you want to match what they are eating. troll way back. good luck

[c parks]

How far is "way back" plus or minus 200'
and how slow is real slow 2-3kts

[capt.dan]

I go 100 to 150ft back and maybe 200ft, As far as speed goes i haven't figured that one out myself. I got one last yr 150ft back and around 3.5- 4kts.

[Albiemanmike]

We trolled a couple 2 years ago just messing around and I was making about 1.5-2 mph and I had them way back like 200+ ft. and the sluggos were just barely skimming the surface perfect. Didn't take long maybe 5 minutes of pulling them and we were tight with fish jumping all around us. Point being I think you should troll them just fast enough to keep them just skimming the surface I think that 3-4 knts. is too fast with the sluggos but that is just my inexperienced opinion and I really don't troll much at all.

[red herring]

Slow & waaayyy back seems to be a consensus and has been my best experience too. Tho it is the lack of action on the "standard" sluggo brand that I'm trying to home in on - the thing just looks too stiff to me as it is trolled straight through the water by the nose and I gotta believe there is something with more wiggle to it!

Has anyone tried that split tail model - think it is called Fin-S? That one seems to taper to a fairly skinny tail and back half; or any other Brand that has better body action?

[hotreels]

Troll as slow as you can. We have run them with a trolling sinker ahead of them with equal success. Put these on the transom clip and troll four lines. Two on the surface on the riggers and two down deeper. Good luck

[fshsltwtr]

check out Ronz and Hogy.

[Cape Fisherman]

Try Alan's 'Pintail' (GOT STRYPER) bait. The new ones are injection molded and have great action. Buy some clears, use a sharpie, or highlighter and come up with any color scheme you desire. They swim great with a 9/0. The plastic is very resilient too and holds up much better, IMO, than Hogys.

[red herring]

Thanks,
Just happen to be headed out of the office now on an appt that will put me near KTP so I'll check out all options suggested!