Bottom bouncing gin clear waters??

[southernEyes]

It seems like I am doing something wrong here. I fish a deep and gin clear lake in the south, which has a fair population of mature walleyes. This time of year, they are fairly predictable in that they are laying on the bottom from 20-30 feet of water in certain habitats which are easily identified. The fishing is normally pretty good, however, I feel like I have gotten into a bad rut and cant get out. Some help would be appreciated.

The main forage here is alewives and immature sunfish according to the biologist report. I have also caught walleyes stuffed full of mayflies and crawfish though.. The areas that I fish are definitely holding fish as I am picking up some walleyes, but I feel like the fishing should and could be better. I am also marking a good amount of fish within 3' of the bottom which leads me to think walleyes.

I have primarily been pulling spinners on bottom bouncers, which is the main method here in the summer for everyone. They are catching fish, but I feel like I should be getting more action. I am pulling them on 2oz bottom bouncers, with a 2.5' leader. In my mind, that seems too short for the super clear water here. Is it? I have experimented with colors, speeds, and have tipped them with a wide variety of baits. I have attempted lindy rigging, but its too snaggy for that. I feel like the bottom bouncer is spooking the majority of fish. Do I try a longer leader? How long is too long? My spinners consist of (2) #2 octopus hooks, (2) 5/8" floats, (1) 4mm bead and a #4 French or Colorado Chrome blade. I have tried all beaded spinners with less luck. Hot pink is my best color, with chartruese a close second. Maybe try some more subtle colors? I have tried 1mph to 1.5mph, with not much difference in results.

When the fish are suspended, I can catch them on leadcore with good success. There are plenty of fish to be had, just when they get on the bottom I cant seem to get them as well.

Any ideas?

[btomlin]

This is what I love about spinners....the possiblities are endless.

All of my spinners are tied at 26". Not sure why I picked 26" other than one good fisherman told me his leaders are 28" and another told me he runs 24"....but the lake I fish is not clear. It has about 1' visibility. In clear water, I'd prob go to as long as 48".

Maybe try some orange, purple, red or gold beads or blades....or some colors no one else is using...

Maybe try pulling them up around 2mph or below 1mph. Water should be very warm so I would speed up.

[REW]

Put on a 4 oz bottom bouncer.
Put on a shallow diving crawfish colored crank bait and let it run about 10 feet behind the bouncer.
Don't let the bouncer touch bottom. Rather, drop it down so that when trolling you can drop the rod tip have the bouncer touch bottom, then reel up a turn.

That way, you will not have the bouncer disturb the bottom.

Good luck and hang on.
REW

[Burr]

Yeah, I was thinking to make sure you are not dragging the bouncer on the bottom. Just ticking it, once in a while, is part of what you're looking for.

For spinners, in clear, deep water, put on a glow blade. I think glow works really well in deep, clear water.

I'd also try no beads or spinners at all - Just line, hook, and bait. If you get short bit, put 1 bead in front of the hook, and see if you stay on the bite. When spinners work in clear water, I use glow a lot as stated above. But - in "clear" water, I'm not using any color most of the time, and the live bait must be well cared for and fresh.

I would also, and primarily, try different leader lengths. Often a really short leader will make a big difference, or a really long one. The ultimate "short Leader length" is dragging a jig. Since it is so snaggy, I'm not sure if that is an option? If you've got more than one person/line fishing, make sure you are trying different things, and pay attention to what get's bit.

[Slushfish]

I fish the clear water lakes of N. Michigan. 20-30 fow.3&4 oz bouncers with a lot of natural, shiny blades on bright days, chart.,orange,pink on overcast days. .8 to 1.5 mph. Just so you can drop the tip and feel bottom. Works good in this neck of the woods. Good luck.
Slushfish

[BigGameBalls]

Mille lacs is a really clear lake here in MN. Long smells seems to be the ticket here. Try a 10' Snell.

[REW]

Big Game,
I know that many folks on Mille Lacs use 10-15 foot snells.

But the next time you are up, try a 2 foot snell. I think that the results might very well suprise you.

Just because many folks have adapted the tactic of very long snells, does not mean that that is the only way, or even the best way to catch fish.

A 2 foot snell is much easier to manage.

The Key on Mille Lacs, especially when working the flats, is to NEVER let the weight touch the bottom, or touch the bottom two feet of soup that is on the bottom.

Just touch the bottom a bit, and you have made a huge mess down there.

I think that one of the reasons that folks may use the 12 - 15 foot snells, is that they do sometimes drag down into the soup and stir up the soup so much that the fish can't see the bait unless the snell is very long.

But if you stay up out of the soup on the bottom on the flats, you have gotten rid of the reason to be using the very long snells.

REW