Best hand-held bottom-bouncer rods and reels

[jeepman]

I think I remember a previous post where someone referred to an archived thread in which recommendations were made for "hand-held" bottom-bouncer rods and reels and "rodholder" bottom-bouncer rods and reels.

I would appreciate any references to the previous thread so I can read that discussion.

Or, you could make suggestions to this posting.

I plan on fishing some different waters this year and plan to spend more time pulling spinner/crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers.
>Hand-held: What rod and reel would you recommend? I'm thinking of the Quantum Accurist 501 left-handed baitcast reels with a 6-foot medium action rods.
>Rod-holder: What rod and reel would you recommend? I'm thinking of Ambassador 6500c3 reels with 7-foot and 8'6" medium action rods.

What do you think? Thanks in advance for your help. Also, I really find WC an excellent site; had I known about it early on I would have been spared from spending money on "junk."

jp

[REW]

I thiink that you basically need to get about a 6 1/2 foot bait casting rod with an extra fast tip. Many of the "standard" medium rods out there don't have a fast enough tip for good bottom bouncing. You need a fast tip - so that you can sense those light biters.
Bass pro has an excellent on in their walleye series rod.
Berkley just came out with an inexpensive bottom bouncer in their Gary Roach series. There are quite a few others out there as well. Just make sure you get one that has a fast enough tip.

As far as the rod is concerned - just get a decent bait caster - preferably with a flipping switch. A flipping switch makes it much easier to follow the bottom contours. You don't have to have a particularly large reel for a bottom bouncer, since you typically have out less than 100 or so feet of line.

The key thing in a bait casting reel is at least 3 ball bearings, pereferably more, decent star drag or equivalent, flipping switch, instant anti reverse is nice but not necessary. Since you typically don't cast with this outfit - an expensive mag or centri.. brake is not required or necessary.

Take care and enjoy.

REW

[Weyes1]

JP,
I just got two of the PWT Combos in the 7'MH with Pinnacle reels on them. They are in the Cabela's Spring catalog @ $49.98 each.
I was really impressed with the quality of both the rod and reel, due to the cheap price.
These are really nice setups and should do the job for you if you don't want to invest a large chuck of $$$$.
They come in 6', 6'6" and 7' MH models. The Reels are Pinnacle 10's with 6 B.B.'s.
Check one out, I'm sure you too will be impressed.

Weyes1
Kevin Clark
weyes1@wamego.net

[Stormsearch]

Keith Kavajecz and Gary Parsons developed a series of Walleye Angler Rods a few years ago including the two setups you are reffering to. Within their selection they have bottom bouncer rods and dead stick rods. The bottom bouncer rods are what you would consider "hand-held" rods. They have two models, 6'6" and 7' in M action. Their dead-stick model, what you refer to as a "rod-holder" are 8'6" rods in a ML action. The idea is that the deadstick rod while pulling harnesses in a rod - holder has a slow taper and allows the walleye to chew on the bait longer without getting hooked up.

The rods are found in the Bass Pro catalogue for $60 a piece. For a hand-held setup, I use the Walleye Rod mentioned above along with the Accurist you mentioned. Excellent combo and balance. For the reel, the flippin' switch is a requirement. I typically don't dead stick unless I am trolling more in open water, but believe your suggestions are good ones, but would lean to the longer rod for dead-stickin'.

If you do any trolling, a lighter trolling rod would work decent also for a dead stick application. Good luck.

[Phil T.]

To go with the flippin' reels, I'd suggest flippin' stick rods. They work well for your jpurposes, and are very versatile for other uses.
Spend at least $100 for the rods. They don't have to be "status" rods for this purpose. Bottom bouncing doesn't involve a lot of finess. Super sensitivity isn't requirred, and isn't desired in a rod-holder rod. For that I like fiberglass downrigger rods. Snag the bouncer, and the rod is almost indestructible. They also contribute to spreading the bait away from the boat a little.

[FJH1]

I bought a couple of new bouncer rods last season and after looking a bit I settled on the St. Croix Avid in 6'2" (AC62MXF). I've been extremely happy with these rods. Sure, they may cost more than other rods, but my past experiences with St. Croix quality and service have been second to none. Also, make sure you get a reel with a flipping switch.

Best Regards,

FJH

[GORD]

See what Mike Mclelland has to say on the subject. He talks about it in the pro page. His recommendations really work. The only thing i would add is...use a left handed baitcaster, especially if you run a tiller. Check the archives for previous posts on this subject.

[Iowa Eye]

Why would any one want to use a good rod to bounce it on the bottom? LOL

[BouncerBoy]

I bought the angler series rod out of bass pro that is endorsed by Gary P. and Keith K. It was designed for bottom bouncing. I love the rod and you really cant beat the price. The flipping switch everyone is mentioning is an absolute must. It still amazes me how many more fish I catch on spinners using bottom bouncers. Cant wait to start pulling them again!