bottom bouncer rod [Archive] - Walleye Message Central

Phil T

02-15-2009, 12:25 AM

We are allowed to use two lines/angler. Consequently, the dead rod will get a load from snagging until it can be reached.

I've followed my ex-touring pro brother-in-laws choice of a bass fishing flippin' stick for bottom bouncers. If you don't go overboard with the graphite content or graphite stiffness, they are quite tough. The tips are soft enough to work well with no-stretch lines, and the butt is strong.

Pooch

02-15-2009, 04:21 PM

Loomis GL2 MBR784 / 6'6" Heavy
Loomis GLX CR722 / 6' Medium

Are my two favorite bouncer rods. I use the GL2 for throwing spoons, heavy plugs and pulling bottom bouncers over 3/4 ounce. The GLX is a little shorter and lighter and works well for throwing lighter plugs and under 3/4 ounce bottom bouncers and Lindy type rigging. Both lean towards the fast tip action and have great backbone for decent really unhappy Pike!

I don't know how these compare to what you are looking at, but most Bass rods would be OK for bottom bouncing. With that said keep in mind that bottom bouncers do pull harder than most trolled or cast lures so you still need some backbone in a rod. You don't want your rod to look like a half moon when pulling bottom bouncers because then you've already used up most of the load carrying ability of the rod. Not much finesse when bottom bouncing until you get to the under 1/2 ounce weights.

I've pretty well used up an old Team Daiwa "Larry Nixon" TD-601 bait-caster trolling bottom bouncers. I don't think Larry Nixon was much of a walleye/bottom bouncer type of guy, but his name sake rods have worked really well for me for way over ten years.

You don't really need a "great" rod for bottom bouncing, but you will feel more light hits with a better than average rod and super braids. Just don't buy a broomstick. Save those for the carp or big catfish guys. So buy a good one the first time and then don't step on it............

Pooch