Live Bait Rigging using Bottom Bouncer

[Tom Reed]

Has any one tried this technique.

I read a picce in In-Fish a long time ago about a tourny pro using bottom bouncers but instead of trolling them .. he fished them slowly from the bow of the boat and use a single hook and live bait. He kind of hovered with the technique.

Seems to me the leader would be forever tangling around the weight. NO?

[wally_diver]

I do it all the time while drifting. This year I have switched from the traditional bottom bouncers to using a slip sinker. Worked real well for me a couple of weeks ago. Caught some nice 'eyes in about 2-4 feet of water. Check 'em out.
http://www.todaystackle.com/foam-walker.html

[bbakes]

According to what I have read Mike McClellend fishes this way 70% of the time when he uses bottom bouncers. I have had great success with this method. I fish the bottom bouncer backtrolling at about 45 degrees with a 4-8 foot leader and a single plain hook, usually tipped with a lively leech. I present this offering stop and go and the walleyes inhale the leech. Most of the time the fish are simply just there as I feel for them, a simple rod sweep and you won't miss many. I don't use this method until I start fishing in 12 feet of water or deeper. By the way, one of the biggest walleyes I have CPR'd was caught on a bottom bouncer, 6 foot leader, #6 pink gamagatzu octupus hook, and a leech. 14 feet of water, 33 inches!

[lost sailor]

i also use this technique when i'm dragging minnows or leeches in water 15' or deeper. to prevent tangle's let the line out slowly, either back-reel or keep your index finger on the spool. as long as you don't just drop the weight freely straight down you will prevent the weight and leader from "helicoptering" and tangling.
skip

[DarrenB]

I use bottom bouncers often with either a minnow or crawler harness/spinner rig and it has worked very well for me whether trolling or drifting. Depending on the type of fishing you are doing(trolling or drifting), depth of the water, etc... determines the weight of the bouncer that I use. As mentioned we lower the presentation into the water slowly, and we always keep our lines on a 45 degree angle. Never get any tangles.