![]() I typically like to troll at the maximum speeds that walleyes still respond to, which varies on any given day. Faster speeds also reduce catches of undesirable fish. Faster trolling equals more water covered and better hookup-to-catch ratios. When fish are aggressive, heavier weights also allow faster trolling while keeping lures in the strike zone. × A spinner-crawler rig taken to depth with a bottom bouncer has been the author's favorite walleye presentation for decades. The commotion attracts walleyes and catch-rates increase. A heavier weight kicks up more debris and makes more noise. ![]() ![]() I’ve discovered that you should use the heaviest weight practicable, especially when walleyes are on or near bottom. Years ago, when I started using bottom bouncers on big water, I read that you were supposed to use the lightest weights possible that would take the lure to bottom, which I later learned wasn’t the case. If I see suspended fish on sonar, I quickly shorten the setbacks to bring bouncers up to the fish and they produce results there, too. When walleyes are holding tight to bottom and are inactive, a bottom bouncer ticking along the bottom seems to wake them up and elicit strikes. My side-by-side testing has shown that they usually outperform every other sinker style. ![]() There’s something about the wire and weight combination that draws fish. I’m convinced that walleyes are attracted to bottom bouncers. Even when fish are high in the water column or when they’re in thick weedbeds, bottom bouncers can work. When all other programs were failing on other boats, we consistently caught walleyes, even during the toughest fishing conditions. Last year I pulled body-baits during early spring, but after the water temperature nudged into the high 40s, we fished bottom bouncers almost exclusively and caught limits on most trips. For many years, bottom-bouncer fishing has been my primary method in my busy charter fishing business that operates mainly on Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie. Mainly a trolling or drifting tactic, many walleye anglers have used this technique before, but few have perfected it. Have fun, anyway you do it, its a learning experience you'll find what works for you.One of the most consistent walleye presentations is a spinner-crawler rig (spinner-crawler harness) on a bottom-bouncer. I tend to use them more as the season slips into summer and fall. I love pulling bouncers, great locating mechanisms, It is incredible how much a 2 - 3 oz bouncer will wear your arm out after a day of fishing. Typically on a good bite the harness needs to be changed out anyway as the line becomes so damaged, so they really don't last that long when the fish are snapping, or the pike make short work of them. I have found over the years I did not really gain anything with longer harnesses. My harnesses are typically less than 36in, most around 24in. I prefer to keep my bouncer and have 20 - 30 pre tied harnesses, and can quickly tie up more. Like trying to keep your line as vertical as possible but not more than 45 degrees angle, just touching or feeling the bottom every once in a while not dragging your bouncer on the bottom. A simple snap is all you need, a better question maybe how to fish with your bouncer.
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