A bottom bouncer is the workhorse weight system for trolling walleye. The wire leg ticks along bottom, keeping the weight upright and out of the rocks, while the arm holds your leader a foot or so off the bottom. Pair it with a crawler harness, a plain-hook live-bait leader or a shallow-diving crankbait. It is the simplest way to fish structure at a controlled speed and depth.
What you need
- Bottom bouncer1/2–3 oz (rule of thumb: 1 oz per 10 ft of depth at 1 mph)
- Leader3–6 ft of 10–17 lb mono or fluoro to a harness, hook or small crankbait
- Snap swivelOn the bouncer arm for quick leader changes
- Main line10–14 lb mono or 10–20 lb braid
How to tie the bottom bouncer rig
- Tie the main line to the wire loop at the bend of the bouncer (the "elbow").
- Clip your leader (harness, plain hook or crankbait) to the snap swivel on the short arm.
- Lower the bouncer until you feel it tick bottom, then let out a bit more line so it drags at a 45-degree angle.
How to fish it
Troll or drift at 0.8–1.5 mph. Hold the rod at a 45-degree angle and feel the bouncer tap; if it goes silent, let out line. On a bite, keep reeling steadily and let the rod load.
Tips
- Heavier is better than lighter — you need to keep contact with bottom.
- Match a crawler harness for summer, a leech on a plain hook in early season, a small crank in fall.
Common mistakes
- Letting out too much line; the bouncer drags on its side and snags.
- Jerking the rod on a bite instead of reeling steadily.
FAQ
What weight bottom bouncer do I need?
About 1 oz for every 10 feet of depth at 1 mph. Go heavier in wind, current or if you want a more vertical line angle.