bottom bouncers

[sheephead24]

does anyone use bottom bouncers with spinners, and if so, any luck? I heard that the bouncers scare the fish away. How long of a leader do you use on the spinner? Thanks

[msm1018]

I use todays tackle foam walkers, and their concept is great just haven't been able to use them really. I little early in the year for em. walleyes are a little sluggish yet, plus they are holding tight to the bottom wher I fish em and the bottom bouncers suspend the bait over their heads. This is the way that I am experiencing bottom bouncer, you will need to try them out for yourself. From what I have heard they are the ticket in certain situations. I need to find that certain situation.

[Borch]

Well I've had a lot of success with the bottom bouncers. When I first saw them I too was very skeptical. But the proof's in the pudding!

I've caught walleyes on them from late April(border waters) through late late October. However primetime is usually late June through early September. I fish them with spinners 90% of the time. Other options are a plain hook, wobble rigs, light spoons like a willow leaf, and with cranks.

When using spinner rigs I tie my own and they are usualy 4-6 ft long made with an abrasion resistent 12 mono or fluorocarbon line. I usually pull them from .8-2.5 mph. The amount of weight depends on the depth and speed your going. Try to keeep bottom contact with the line at about a 45 degree angle. You can use a leech, minnow, crawler, gulp or plastics with the spinner rigs. When you feel a hit just drop some rod tip and set the hook. You'll connect on most fish this way.

The bottm bouncer helps with snagy areas, keeps the bait in the strike zone and causes a camming action which jerks and pauses the spinner which can trigger strikes as well.

My experience is that they don't spook fish and I fish them middle of the day in some very clear lakes successfully.

Good Luck!

[Northlander]

I use bottom bouncers a lot. They dont scare fish. I have caught eyes in 3-4' of water on 3 oz. bottom bouncers. I use shorter spinner rigs now. I used to use 4-5' but now Im at about 3'. I catch just as many fish as guys using the LONG leaders so I doubt they spook fish. At least not in darker waters. Maybe in a super clear lake I would lengthen my leaders.

[WaveWacker]

Been mainly a live bait rig guy myself but need to experiment more with different tactics. Are you guys mainly pulling bouncers over flats, next to weed lines or what? Thanks

WW

[Willy]

Bottom bouncers really excel in snaggy areas or deep water gravel bars. I know that pulling blades with them can be really hot in June/July. There's no reason you can't use them in shallower though. When running blades, it's the best way to do it IMO.

[LakeTahoe]

I have used them before and did real well once in September with a spinner and a crawler harness (with a crawler). when it was real windy in about 10 FOW. The walleyes just crushed it. Oddly enough I haven't really used them since.... maybe I should rethink that:)

I mostly used lindy rigs.

[Bruce Mosher]

The Weight system I designed are the Foam Walkers by Today's Tackle. They have a side to side wobble that doesn't scare fish on a slow retrieve. You can instantly change weights for different depths or speed. Snap on and off your line and are designed to break in a bad snag so you don't lose your whole rig. Excellent for very slow trolling or stop-n-go retrieves. Work them slower than a bottom bouncer. They are basically a better Lindy Rig with more features and options! They will hold up to 3oz.weights. I like to use Mack's Lures "Smile Blades" as the spinner rig or a floater jig with a leech.

Bruce Mosher

[sheephead24]

what size bottom bouncers do you normally use? i picked up a few 1 oz. bouncers

[jcfishr]

Bruce,

thanks for the tips. any comments on a floating jig vs. a plain hook or spinner rig? I'll be trying out some foam walkers this week on Rush in Ottertail. Happy to report the results.

[abens1078]

A common guidline given is 1 .oz for every 10 FOW. Most articles I've read claim this will keep the line at a 45degree angle at speeds of 1/2 to 1 1/4 MPH and allow you to 'bounce' the bottom from time to time. I follow this guideline and it works real well for me. Some guys like to drop them to the bottom and let out a ton of line which works but you lose some sensitivity.

When I pick up a few from the store I normally add a higher quality swivel to the one thats already on the BB. You can put a ton of twists in a 3 ft spinner if you end up with a junky swivel. I especially do this when using spinners but keep in mind a crawler or a leech can do the same damage if they get to spinning on you too.

[Hockey Guy]

Bruce,

Where is the Foam Walker available for purchase? Does it work well for trolling cranks in place of a 3-way rig? I could give it a good test next week up at Kabatogama.

[msm1018]

Quote:

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Bruce,

Where is the Foam Walker available for purchase? Does it work well for trolling cranks in place of a 3-way rig? I could give it a good test next week up at Kabatogama.

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You can get them on this HSOforum, but it is slower than getting directly from Bruce, and yes cranks troll nicely behind them.

[SDPROV]

We throw cranks alot in the shallows for walleyes in south dakota and most of the time we have a dead rod hanging out back with a bottom bouncer on it. Its amazing how many times the best fish come on the bottom bouncer. We use a short 2 foot line on it and it doesnt seem to bother the fish. Caught many fish on it when in 3 feet or less of water! Good luck

[Bruce Mosher]

I Normally use 1/2 to 3/4 oz. Foam Walkers (in about 8 to 20 feet). If I go deeper or have more river current I use the 1-1/4oz Foam Walkers. If you normally use a 1/2 oz. sinker then you should use a 3/4oz Foam Walker. The Foam is bouyant so you need more weight to keep it down to the bottom of the lake. You can slow troll small crank baits behind the Foam Walkers. I've caught quite a few walleyes doing that. You should use the heavier ones for that though. I've even trolled for crappies on Red Lake with the Foam Walkers and shiner minnow. Hope any of this helps. Good luck, Bruce Mosher