Modern day panfish anglers are a little pickier than those that came before them. In days gone by anglers used a simple cane pole, a length of line, bobber, sinker, and hook to catch a few fish for dinner. Today’s demanding anglers and new technology has changed that scenario to include technically perfected rods that are stronger, longer and more sensitive. The results are more fish on the dinner table and in the tournament live well.
B’n’M Fishing is a leader in the evolution of panfish fishing poles. The company’s slogan is “Wherever fishing takes you, B’n’M has been there,” and they aren’t kiddin’. They have been in the business of making all kinds of panfish products for over 60 years. More recently they have introduced specialty rods for catfish and bass.
Much of the demand for more durable and sensitive rods has come from the popularity of crappie tournaments and pro anglers like Whitey Outlaw. He has been tournament fishing for 35 years and watched the evolution as the crappie fishing scene changed. “I fished as a young man with my grandfather and my daddy on Lake Santee,” said Whitey. “There was a contest on the lake that I entered with my best childhood friend. We won that tournament at age 15, and I was hooked!”
Whitey now follows the American Crappie Trail, fishing all over the U.S. He has won numerous championships and awards in his fishing career. Two he is most proud of are the back to back Crappie Masters Alabama State Championships in 2010 and 2011. That feat had never been done before.
As Whitey progressed in the field of crappie fishing he became a fan and promoter of B’n’M poles and accessories.
Whitey says B’n’M poles have advantages over other manufacturers. “B’n’M has developed different poles for different fisherman with different types of techniques. They make a rod to meet your needs for your type of fishing no matter your preference.”
As pro crappie fishermen like Whitey demanded lighter, stronger, more sensitive rods B’n’M developed rods made of the most recent high-tech materials. Their rods are made in various lengths and styles to accommodate the many methods of crappie fishing. Their fiberglass telescopic rods extend from 10 feet to 20 feet depending on the model, once again matching rods to angers needs.
As a testament to the strength of B’n’M rods, Whitey reports catching lots of catfish up to 30 pounds and plenty of lunker bass as well. Catching these big fish on a crappie, bream and bluegill pole is almost unbelievable. “I have never had one break,” says Whitey.
Whether you are dropping bait in heavy cover, trolling deep water or pushing over shallow flats, B’n’M makes a pole for you. Check them out on their website, www.bnmpoles.com. In addition to their complete line of poles your will find fishing accessories and apparel. It makes pretty good sense when choosing fishing equipment to go with someone who has been there before.
By Ron Presley