![]() Depending on water clarity, as well, there are times when I’ll actually add a little long leader. “When you get out into the Great Lakes or in suspended applications for walleyes, I like to upsize my spinner blades a little bit, going to #4’s or ever #5’s. “I like to use #2, #3, #4 Colorado blades with a series of beads/floats, paired with several different hook configurations based on the type of bait I’m using. Shorter leader are less likely to get snagged up in the rocks while they’re dangling behind you bouncer. “Spinner rigs and setups can be just ad diverse as the bodies of water you fish, however if I’m fishing heavy rock in Canada, I’ll use an R-bend bottom bouncer with shorter leader. If I’m trolling at 1.0-1.2 mph with a 1.5 ounce bottom and I’m not getting consistent contact with the bottom, I’ll simply upsize in half ounce increments until I’m achieving desired bottom contact.” How do you determine the right leader length, blades and hooks? “Often, weight selection is going to come down to trial-and-error. Ultimately, this means that you’re desired speed and depth are going to determine whether you want a larger or a smaller bottom bouncer. “With bottom bouncers like this you’re either maintaining contact with the bottom or you’re “bouncing” just above it. They are great up in Canada when you’re fishing around big, heavy bedrock and boulders. “What’s nice about an R-bend bottom bouncer is that it’s extremely snag-free when you’re running through rougher cover. I like to use them when I’m fishing mud flats, gravel bars and lighter rock. “What I like about a slip bouncer is that it’s tall and keeps your bait well off the bottom, so it’s not dragging. “I use two different types of bottom bouncer: a slip-bouncer and an R-bend. How do you select bottom bouncer style and weight? We reached out to Tony Roach, one of the best walleye guides out there, and asked him a few questions about how he approaches bottom bouncing throughout the summer months. The hook also stays sharp after banging on rocks.Įditor’s Note: If you have questions or comments on this or other articles of mine you may have read, contact me through the website The NextBite.Bottom Bouncer walleyes is often a slam dunk for summertime walleyes. The longer than normal sized hook on this jig allows it to come out of the back of a Berkley GULP! Minnow in the perfect spot. ![]() Another great jig is the Mustad WL746 Walleye Elite Jig, which is a traditional round head with a razor-sharp UltraPoint hook. This means that the hook is angled up as the jig sits on bottom, putting it in the perfect position for a fish to inhale it. These jigs have a “semi-stand-up” design. I like to use the Bass Pro Shops XPS Walleye jigs for much of my vertical jigging. Once you feel weight on the lift, set the hook! Bass Pro Shops XPS ![]() Do not let the bait sit on bottom long, as it can drag in the current and snag. Tip: The walleyes will be relating to the bottom, so you will want to give the jig a sharp 6-inch “pop” off the bottom and hold it for a couple seconds before slowly lowering back down. Should one of the minnows get plucked off the jig, you can drop it right back down and try to get a second bite. To do this, thread a 3-inch minnow on the jig all the way up to the jig head. You can increase the profile of your presentation by doubling up the baits. The 2.5 and 3-inch Berkley Gulp Minnows do an excellent job at mimicking a real minnow. Natural colors work well, as they mimic a night crawler. With a very limber design, you don’t have to work hard for this bait to have a lot of action. I like to use the 3-inch Berkley Power Bait Pro Jig Worm, which has a paddle on the back. Not only does this save time from having to bait your hook again, it often gives you a second chance to catch a fish that might try to “steal” live bait from your hook.ĭuring early spring, bait with subtle tail action will often work best. One benefit to using artificial baits is that they tend to be more durable than live bait, because they stay on the hook longer. While baiting jigs with live minnows was the standard for years, artificial baits now rule the river. Tip: Vertical jigging is an effective way to put your bait directly in front of a walleye while fishing rivers in the spring. They're looking to find and feed on baitfish around new vegetation that forms in the shallow warm water. ![]() It's also in the spring when walleyes move to shallow water for spawning as the water temperature reaches the low 40s. This is true whether you're fishing in lakes, rivers or reservoirs. Are you fishing where the walleyes are? Springtime walleyes are typically found in shallow water at a depth of about 15 feet or less.
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