A group of us travel to Canada from Texas every year in August and catch Lake Trout from 60' to over 100'.

We use a 4oz or 5oz weight with a 3 way swivel and troll light weight sutton spoons close to the bottom. Seems like we either catch one or pull up a huge tangled mess.

Since we don't do any trolling in Texas I have zero experience with bottom bouncers. I was wondering if a 4oz bottom bouncer would help cure this problem.

Also, any suggestions you may have on how to catch them this deep is appreciated. We have used a heavy jig with some fair results, but so far the sutton spoon works best.

Thanks,

John Steffens

If you lower a bottom bouncer slowly while moving forward, that offset arm your leader is attached to will not spin, and you'll avoid the tangles you mention. Lower it too fast, and it will tangle. Let the lure keep it straight.

I would consider some snap weights, you can find them at the cabelas website.

I have used Sutton spoons on a 3 way swivel and have had good luck with them. Never had any problems with tangling with them. Used a 3 and 4 oz sinker about 4 foot below the swivel then a 6 ft. leader to the spoon with a real good bb swivel. I never let the sinker drag on the bottom. Only let it hit and real up about 5 ft. The fish will raise to the spoon but will not go down for it. I have run a second swivel about 4 ft. above the first one with a second spoon on it, that works good also, little more rigging is all. Good Luck.
PS. I used colored metered line , 15 or 20 lb. test.

Current could be what's causing the tangles. We sometimes use 6-8 oz bouncers to fish 50 foot of water on Erie.