bell sinkers vs. bouncers

[Dave]

All right, guys, weigh in on this one. Bell sinkers and three-ways vs. wire-armed bouncers. Which ones do you like when?

[Greg P.]

My first choice would be a Lindy snagless sinker. Second would be a wire arm, third would be a bell sinker.

One neat little tip I found recently: Some of the wire arm bottom bouncers come with a small black tube (like a slip knot holder) that slides up and down the line with a bendable round clip attached. This tube piece allows switching weights without retying. I have found that although nice for switching weights, it also prevents the tangles that commonly develop where your line is tied to the swivel for the snell (the line usually tangles up with the sinker and swivel somehow). The little tube seems to prevent this annoying occurance. I have only found these little black tubes on wire arm bouncers, but use them with all bottom bouncing weights now.

I dragged a snag free sinker around Rainy Lake for 2 days and never lost one. Although I did get hung up twice, I was able to get it off.

That's my vote with a little added tip.

Greg P.

[Gilligan]

I have used the bell off a 3 way for years, until this year. I switched to the bouncers this year with a remarkable catch improvement. I think the wire adds alot more action to the bait. With a snap swivel on the main line its a matter of just unhooking 2 snaps to put the rig to a different weight bouncer.