A bottom bouncer is a popular fishing rig anglers use, especially when targeting walleye. It’s a simple yet effective setup to keep your bait or lure off the lake or riverbed while maintaining contact with the bottom.
This prevents your bait from getting snagged and allows you to cover more water effectively.
Setting up a bottom bouncer rig for walleye fishing is relatively straightforward. This setup allows you to present your bait or lure just above the bottom while keeping it in contact with the lake or riverbed.
Here’s How to rig a bottom bouncer for walleye fishing:
Bottom Bouncer: Start with a bottom bouncer, a weighted wire form with a lead or other heavy material at the bottom and a wire extending upward.
The wire has a loop at the top to tie your fishing line to.
The weight of the bouncer keeps your line at an angle, allowing the bait to ride just above the bottom.
Leader Line: Attach a leader line (usually made of fluorocarbon or monofilament) to the loop at the top of the bottom bouncer.
The length of the leader can vary, but a common range is 18 to 36 inches. Longer leaders allow the bait to float above the bottom, while shorter leaders keep it closer.
Swivel: At the leader line’s end, tie on a swivel. The swivel helps prevent line twists caused by the rotating motion of the bottom bouncer.
Main Fishing Line: Tie the other end of the swivel to your main fishing line, which is spooled on your fishing reel.
Hook and Bait/Lure: Attach your fishing hook at the leader line’s end.
Common walleye baits include nightcrawlers, leeches, minnows, or soft plastic lures designed to mimic small fish.
Adjustments: The angle of the bottom bouncer’s wire arm will determine how far off the bottom your bait/lure will ride. In shallow waters, you might want a more acute angle, whereas in deeper waters, a wider angle is preferred.
Adjust the leader’s length and the bottom bouncer’s weight to find the right balance for the water depth and conditions you’re fishing in.
Trolling or Drifting: Once your bottom bouncer rig is set up, you can troll or drift along the fishing spot.
Walleye often hang out near the bottom, especially in deeper waters, and the bottom bouncer rig allows you to present your bait effectively.
Remember to check and comply with local fishing regulations and size limits for walleye in your area.
Additionally, always practice responsible fishing and conservation to preserve fish populations and their habitats for future generations.
Bottom bouncer fishing
Bottom bouncer fishing is a highly effective technique used by anglers to target various species of fish, including walleye, bass, pike, and more.
The method involves using a bottom bouncer rig to present bait or lures just above the lake or riverbed while keeping constant contact with the bottom.
Here’s How to make a bottom bouncer rig:
1. Bottom Bouncer: As mentioned earlier, a bottom bouncer is a weighted wireform with a lead or other heavy material at the bottom and a wire extending upward.
The wire has a loop at the top to tie your fishing line to. The size of the bottom bouncer depends on the water depth and the weight required to keep the rig in contact with the bottom.
2. Leader Line: The leader line is attached to the loop at the top of the bottom bouncer, usually made of fluorocarbon or monofilament.
The leader’s length can vary, allowing your bait or lure to float just above the bottom without getting snagged.
3. Main Fishing Line: The main fishing line is spooled on your fishing reel and is tied to the other end of the leader line using a swivel.
The swivel prevents line twists caused by the rotating motion of the bottom bouncer.
4. Hook and Bait/Lure: You’ll attach your fishing hook at the leader line’s end. The choice of hook will depend on the type of bait or lure you’re using to target the specific fish species.
As we’re talking about walleye fishing, you might use various baits such as nightcrawlers, leeches, minnows, or artificial soft plastic lures designed to mimic small fish.
5. Technique: Once the rig is set up, you can use various techniques for bottom bouncer fishing:
Trolling: involves moving your boat slowly through the water while trailing the bottom bouncer rig behind it.
Drifting: involves allowing your boat to move naturally with the wind or current, carrying the bottom bouncer rig along the lake or river.
This method can be effective when walleye are scattered or not concentrated in one area.
Vertical Jigging: While not a traditional bottom bouncer technique, some anglers use bottom bouncers in combination with vertical jigging.
This involves lowering the rig directly beneath the boat and jigging it up and down to attract walleye.
6. Finding Walleye: To increase your chances of success, target areas are known for holding walleye, such as rocky points, drop-offs, weed edges, and areas with underwater structures.
Additionally, pay attention to water temperature, time of day, and weather conditions, as these factors can influence walleye behavior.
Bottom bouncer weights
Bottom bouncer weights come in various sizes and shapes to accommodate different fishing conditions, water depths, and target species.
The weight of the bottom bouncer is crucial in keeping your bait or lure in contact with the bottom while allowing it to float just above potential snags.
Common bottom bouncer weights include:
- 1/2 oz to 1 oz: These lighter weights suit shallow waters, slow-moving currents, or fishing closer to the surface.
- 1.5 to 2 oz: Medium-sized weights commonly used for walleye fishing in moderately deep waters.
- 2.5 oz to 4 oz: Heavier weights are used in deeper waters or stronger currents, such as when trolling in large lakes or rivers.
Bottom Bouncer with Adjustable Weight: Some bottom bouncers come with adjustable weights, allowing you to add or remove weights as needed, providing more flexibility in various fishing situations.
The choice of bottom bouncer weight depends on factors such as:
Water Depth: Deeper waters may require heavier weights to maintain proper contact with the bottom, while shallower waters may call for lighter weights to prevent dragging.
Current Strength: Stronger currents require heavier weights to keep your bait or lure down, while calmer waters may allow for lighter weights.
Bait or Lure Weight: Consider the weight of your bait or lure. If you’re using a heavy lure, you may need a lighter bottom bouncer weight, and vice versa.
Trolling Speed: Your boat’s speed can affect the bottom bouncer’s performance if you’re trolling.
Adjust the weight accordingly to keep your presentation at the desired depth.
Always have a variety of bottom bouncer weights in your tackle box so you can adapt to changing conditions on the water.
Experiment with different sizes to find the best combination for your fishing situation.
Bottom bouncer trolling depth chart
A bottom bouncer trolling depth chart can be a helpful reference to estimate the depth at which your bait or lure will be presented when using different weights of bottom bouncers.
However, it’s important to note that the actual depth can vary based on factors such as trolling speed, line angle, lure weight, and water conditions.
Below is a general bottom bouncer trolling depth chart that can give you a rough idea of the depth range you might expect with various bottom bouncer weights:
- 1/2 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 3 to 6 feet
- 1 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 5 to 10 feet
- 1.5 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 7 to 12 feet
- 2 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 10 to 15 feet
- 2.5 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 12 to 18 feet
- 3 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 15 to 22 feet
- 4 oz bottom bouncer: Trolling Depth ≈ 20 to 30 feet
Remember that these depths are approximate and can be influenced by current, boat speed, and the type of line you use.
You can experiment with different weights and monitor the depth using a fish or depth finder to get a more accurate trolling depth.
Adjust your setup based on the conditions and the depth at which you observe fish activity.
Trolling crankbaits with bottom bouncers
Trolling crankbaits with bottom bouncers is a popular and effective technique used by anglers to target various species of fish, including walleye, pike, and bass.
This combination allows you to present crankbaits at different depths while keeping them close to the bottom and covering a larger area as you troll.
Here’s how to troll crankbaits with bottom bouncers:
Materials Needed:
- Crankbaits of different colors and diving depths
- Bottom bouncers of various weights
- Leader line (fluorocarbon or monofilament)
- Barrel swivel
- Main fishing line (spooled on your fishing reel)
- Trolling rod and reel setup
Step-by-Step Process:
Select the Right Crankbaits: Choose crankbaits that dive to various depths, allowing you to cover the water column effectively.
Use shallow-running crankbaits for fishing closer to the surface and deeper-running ones for targeting fish in deeper waters.
Choose the Bottom Bouncer Weight: The weight of the bottom bouncer will depend on the depth you want to target and the speed at which you plan to troll. As a general guideline, use lighter bottom bouncers for shallower depths and heavier ones for deeper waters.
Rigging the Bottom Bouncer: Tie the main fishing line to the top loop of the bottom bouncer.
The weight of the bottom bouncer will keep the crankbait down while trolling.
Adding the Leader Line: Attach a leader line (fluorocarbon or monofilament) to the bottom bouncer’s swivel.
The length of the leader line can vary depending on the depth you want to target and the diving depth of the crankbait. A common leader length is around 18 to 36 inches.
Attaching the Crankbait: Tie the other end of the leader line to the front eyelet or split ring of the crankbait.
Ensure that the crankbait is securely attached to the leader.
Trolling Speed and Depth Control: Begin trolling at a slow to moderate speed, and adjust your boat speed based on the depth you want to target.
The bottom bouncer’s weight and the crankbait’s diving depth will determine how deep the crankbait runs.
Monitor your depth or fish finder to keep track of the trolling depth and adjust your setup as needed.
Covering Water: As you troll with the bottom bouncer and crankbait setup, cover different areas of the water column to find where the fish are actively feeding.
Vary your trolling speed and change crankbaits with different colors and diving depths to increase your chances of enticing strikes.
Trolling crankbaits with bottom bouncers allows you to explore various depths and locate fish in different parts of the water column.
It’s a versatile technique that can be effective in various fishing situations.
Always pay attention to local fishing regulations and practice responsible fishing to conserve fish populations and habitats.
What size bottom bouncer for walleye
The size of the bottom bouncer for walleye fishing depends on the depth of the water you are fishing in and the speed at which you plan to troll or drift.
As a general guideline, here are some recommendations for bottom bouncer sizes based on water depth:
Shallow Waters (0 to 15 feet): For fishing in shallower waters, such as lakes with depths up to 15 feet, you can use bottom bouncers from 1/2 oz to 1 oz. Lighter weights like 1/2 oz are suitable for very shallow waters, while 1 oz can work well in slightly deeper areas.
Moderate Depths (15 to 30 feet): In waters with depths ranging from 15 to 30 feet, consider using bottom bouncers from 1 oz to 2 oz. These weights will allow your bait to stay near the bottom and effectively target walleye in these depth ranges.
Deeper Waters (30 feet and beyond): For fishing in deeper waters exceeding 30 feet, opt for heavier bottom bouncers, such as 2 oz to 3 oz or even up to 4 oz in strong currents.
Heavier weights will help you maintain contact with the bottom and keep your bait in the strike zone.
Remember that these are general recommendations, and actual conditions on the water may require adjustments.
Factors such as current speed, wind, and trolling speed can also affect the performance of the bottom bouncer.
It’s a good idea to have a variety of bottom bouncer sizes in your tackle box to accommodate different fishing situations and water depths.
Additionally, always be prepared to experiment and adjust your setup based on the conditions you encounter while walleye fishing.
Best bottom bouncer rod for walleye
However, some key features to consider when choosing a bottom bouncer rod for walleye include sensitivity, power, length, and action.
Here are some recommendations to help you find the right rod:
1. Sensitivity: Walleye can be subtle biters, so a sensitive rod is essential for detecting light strikes.
If you want to feel every slight nibble on your rod, choose one with a sensitive tip.
2. Power: A medium-light to medium-power rod is generally a good choice for walleye fishing with bottom bouncers.
This power range provides the right balance of sensitivity and strength to handle walleye while still having enough backbone to set the hook effectively.
3. Length: Opt for a rod in the range of 6 to 7.5 feet. A longer rod allows longer casts and better control when using bottom bouncers from shore or a boat.
4. Action: A moderate or moderate-fast action is ideal for bottom bouncer fishing.
This action will allow for some flex in the rod, which helps keep the fish hooked during the fight while providing enough sensitivity to detect bites.
5. Material and Construction: Look for a rod made from quality materials, such as graphite or a composite.
High-quality construction ensures the rod is durable and performs well over time.
6. Comfort: Consider the comfort of the rod handle and reel seat.
Since walleye fishing often involves extended periods of holding the rod, a comfortable grip and ergonomic design can reduce fatigue.
7. Brand and Reviews: Choose a reputable brand with positive reviews from other anglers.
Brands that produce quality fishing rods will likely offer good bottom bouncer fishing options.
Conclusion
Bottom bouncer from shore fishing can be highly productive for walleye and other species, and it’s a versatile technique that allows you to adapt to different fishing conditions.
Remember to practice proper fishing ethics and conservation to protect the fishery for future generations.
Ultimately, the best bottom bouncer rod for walleye will depend on your preferences and fishing style.
Consider visiting a local fishing tackle shop to test different rods or read reviews online to gather more insights from other anglers using specific rod models for walleye fishing with bottom bouncers.
Check out the Sac a Lait Fish available on our website.
FAQs
What is the best bottom bouncer rig for walleye?
The best bottom bouncer rig for walleye typically consists of a bottom bouncer of appropriate weight, a leader line, a fishing hook, and your preferred bait or lure.
How do you catch walleye with a bottom bouncer?
To catch walleye with a bottom bouncer, set up a rig with a bottom bouncer weight, a leader line, and a fishing hook with bait.
Cast or troll the rig along the lake or riverbed, keeping it in contact with the bottom.
Walleye are often found near the bottom, so this technique allows you to present your bait effectively and increase your chances of catching them.
What is a bottom bouncer for walleye?
A bottom bouncer for walleye is a weighted wireform fishing rig designed to keep your bait or lure off the lake or riverbed while maintaining contact with the bottom.
It allows anglers to target walleye effectively, as these fish often hang out near the bottom, especially in deeper waters.
The weight of the bottom bouncer keeps the line at an angle, allowing the bait to ride just above the bottom without getting snagged.
How much weight for the bottom bouncer for walleye?
The weight of the bottom bouncer for walleye fishing depends on the water depth and current strength.
Generally, use lighter weights (e.g., 1/2 oz to 1 oz) for shallower waters and heavier weights (e.g., 1.5 oz to 2.5 oz) for deeper or stronger currents.
Adjust the weight based on the specific fishing conditions to keep your bait or lure at the desired depth.