If you fish for walleye, there is no doubt that bottom bouncers are in your tackle box. However, there are lots of factors that contribute to effectively fishing with them. In this article, we break down the tips you need for fishing bottom bouncers for walleye!
Top 3 Bottom Bouncer Gear You Need to Catch More Walleye
| Product | Type | Use | Weight Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Fish Bottom Bouncers | Bottom Bouncer | Trolling, drifting | 1–3 oz |
| RTF Bottom Bouncers | Bottom Bouncer | Trolling, live bait rigs | 1–3 oz |
| Dr. Fish Spinners | Spinner Harness | Attracting walleye while trolling | N/A (Used as Lure) |
What are bottom bouncers?
Bottom bouncers are fishing weights designed to keep your bait near the bottom of the lake. They have a unique L-shaped design that helps them glide over rocks and other obstacles. Your bait sits above the weight, making it visible just above the bottom of the lake. They can easily be made at home or bought from a big box store. You can even pour the lead yourself to make them. Check out our links above for some inexpensive bottom bouncers to buy.
Parts of a bottom bouncer
| Part | Description |
| Weight | The heaviest part, keeps the rig down |
| Arm | Extends out from the weight |
| Wire | Connects the weight to your line |
Why Use Bottom Bouncers for Walleye?
Walleye often hang out near the bottom of lakes and rivers. Some of the largest fish in whatever body of water hang out on the bottom. Bottom bouncers help you reach these fish effectively. They have heavy weights that aid in getting your bait to the bottom.
Benefits of bottom bouncers
- Keep your bait in the strike zone
- Cover water quickly
- Reduce snags on rocky bottoms
- Bottom bouncers work well with various baits and lures
How to set up Bottom Bouncers for Walleye
Setting up your bottom bouncer correctly is key to success. There are a few different baits that you can use with bottom bouncers, we will cover those later in the article. Follow these steps:
- Tie the bottom bouncer to your main line
- Attach a leader (usually 3-6 feet long) to the arm of the bouncer
- Tie on your chosen bait or lure
Recommended gear
| Item | Suggestion |
| Rod | 6-7 foot medium-heavy spinning rod or trolling rod |
| Reel | Medium-sized spinning reel or line counter reel |
| Line | 10-14 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon (Braid to Fluoro is OK) |
| Leader | 8-10 lb fluorocarbon (Braid to Fluoro is OK) |
Choosing the right bottom bouncer weight
The weight of your bottom bouncer is crucial. It affects how well you can feel the bottom and control your presentation. The weight directly affects where your bait sits on the lake bottom. If you use lighter weights, the bottom bouncer will be further behind. If you use heavy weights, the bottom bouncer will be under the boat. Remember, factors like current and wind can also affect your weight choice. Choose a heavy weight when fishing in current or trolling fast.
Weight selection guide
| Water depth | Recommended weight |
| 5-10 feet | 1 oz |
| 10-20 feet | 1.5-2 oz |
| 20-30 feet | 2-3 oz |
| 30+ feet | 3 oz or more |
Best baits and lures to use with bottom bouncers
You can use various baits and lures with bottom bouncers. The most popular choices are live bait and spinners. The most popular bait are night crawlers. Here are some popular options:
Live bait
- Nightcrawlers
- Minnows
- Leeches
Artificial lures
- Spinner rigs (aka crawler harnesses)
- Crankbaits
- Soft plastic worms or minnows
How to Fish Bottom Bouncers for Walleye
With bottom bouncers in hand, let’s take a look at how to fish with them. There are different ways to fish bottom bouncers, depending on the conditions. You can use a spinning setup for inland lakes, but on the Great Lakes, use trolling rods. Trolling with bottom bouncers takes time to master, it can cause tangles and frustration when first starting out.
Trolling technique
- Lower your rig until you feel it hit the bottom
- Reel up slightly so it’s just off the bottom
- Troll at 0.8-1.2 mph
- Keep your rod tip up at about a 45-degree angle
- Watch for bites – they often feel like a sudden weight on the line
Drifting technique
- Cast out your rig
- Let it sink to the bottom
- Slowly reel in, keeping contact with the bottom
- Pause occasionally to let the bait flutter
Where to Fish Bottom Bouncers for Walleye
Bottom bouncers work well in various walleye habitats. Walleye sit in different areas at different times of the year. Also, fishing for walleye at night with bottom bouncers is effective. You just have to fish closer to shore or a weed line. Bait and weather can also affect where walleye are located. Look for:
- Underwater humps and ridges
- Drop-offs and ledges
- Rocky points
- Weed edges
- Sanbars are great places to fish bottom bouncers for walleye
Seasonal locations
- Spring – Look for shallow flats leading into spawning areas
- Summer – Deepwater sand bars and offshore locations
- Fall – Deepwater locations, look for the last dropoff close to shore
- Winter -Offshore and shore locations will hold fish
Success Tips: Bottom Bouncers for Walleye
Now that you have bottom bouncers for walleye in your tackle box, you need to know some tips for success. To increase your chances of catching walleye, keep these tips in mind:
- Maintain bottom contact: You should feel a steady tapping as the bouncer hits bottom
- Vary your speed: Sometimes, changing your speed can trigger strikes
- Experiment with leader length: Try different lengths to see what works best
- Pay attention to your electronics: Look for fish on your fish finder
- Be patient: It may take time to find active fish
Mistakes When Using Bottom Bouncers for Walleye
Even experienced anglers can make mistakes. Fishing bottom bouncers has a specific technique and time to fish them. Here are some to watch out for:
- Using too light of a bouncer: This makes it hard to maintain bottom contact
- Reeling too fast: This lifts the bouncer off the bottom
- Setting the hook too hard: A gentle sweep is often enough
- Ignoring wind and waves: These can affect your presentation
- Forgetting to check your bait: Make sure it’s still in good shape
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to fishing with bottom bouncers. The more you use this technique, the better you’ll become at reading the bottom, detecting bites, and catching walleye. Good luck on your next fishing adventure!