|
5/03/2001
-
Article/Press
Release
Bottom
Bouncing for Leech Lake Walleyes
By Jack Shriver Sr.
Leech
Lake Guide Coalition
For
years, anglers struggled to catch numbers of walleyes in July and
August. Fishermen, myself included, started experimenting with
different presentations, and of those, bottom bouncing achieved the
greatest results.
 I
use bottom bouncers in depths of 14 feet and deeper, when walleyes
are scattered.
For
a reel, my choice is a baitcaster spooled with a super braid or
20-pound test mono, coupled with a 6-1/2 to 7-foot rod.
Northland’s new bottom bouncer weights and clevis’ are
excellent. They work much better than older pin shaped weights. Most
of the time I use a 2-hook crawler harness spinner rig, but some
times the 3-hook rig helps with finicky fish. Night crawlers work
best, with leeches and minnows coming in second and third; floating
crankbaits are a viable option.
Depth
and speed are important components of bottom bouncing. First, you
want to be moving fast enough so the spinner blade turns freely. You
can vary speed, but make sure you’re going fast enough to keep the
blade turning. Next, make sure that the crawler is swimming as
straight as possible.
Let
out some line and find the bottom, then let out a little more. When
you are trolling you want to be close to the bottom, but not on it.
I keep my bouncer rig close enough to the boat so I can maintain
control, using the heaviest weight possible without losing
“feel”.
When
a fish grabs the bait let the spinner rig fall back about a rod
length and set the hook firmly. Try not to lift up
on the rod during the set, because it jerks the bottom bouncer and
pulls the hooks out of the fish’s mouth. Also, when fighting a
fish, try not to horse it in too hard. Spinner rig hooks are a small
and they pull out easily…
Jack
Shriver Sr. is a professional guide with the Leech
Lake Guide Coalition. The
coalition, which is based in Walker, MN, offers guided expeditions
for walleyes, muskies, jumbo perch, largemouth bass, northern pike
and panfish. They can
be reached at 218-547-3212.
|
