02-20-2003, 03:40 AM
[blue][size 2]Hey Dan, there are a few thing that will make you a better bottom bouncer. First, get a variety of weights including 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5. The weight you use will depend on the depth and speed. The way to tell which to use is always try to keep your line at a 45 degree angle. Fishing deeper or going faster requires a heavier BB. If you get more that a 45 deg angle, you will snag a lot, but the 45 deg angle will keep your BB in the proper direction to the bottom.[/size][/blue]
[blue][size 2]The next common mistake is to let your rig plow the bottom. Instead, you want the wire to be just above the bottom, so that if you lower your rod you'll "tick" bottom. Every 10-30 seconds or so I drop the rod to find bottom. Though hey, sometimes more noise calls in the fish.[/size][/blue]
[blue][size 2]Though I'll sometimes use a floating crankbait with a BB, mostly I use a crawler harness with 1 or 1/2 a worm. Move slow, usually just fast enough to turn the blades. Make sure the crawler is spread out on the rig so the worm doesn't twist and spin. I sit on my bow and run my electric to follow the bottom contour. Set the hook with a sweeping lateral motion, rather than up, and feed some line when they're biting lite.[/size][/blue]
[blue][size 2]The best rod for a BB is long to get it away from the boat, and a baitcaster or trolling reel is best. A lot of guys like flipping switches. You can also pull BB/crawler hanesses behind inline planer boards. Just let out line 'til it ticks, then find bottom a second time (you usually have to let out a little more), then attach to the planer board and set.[/size][/blue]
[blue][size 2]The next common mistake is to let your rig plow the bottom. Instead, you want the wire to be just above the bottom, so that if you lower your rod you'll "tick" bottom. Every 10-30 seconds or so I drop the rod to find bottom. Though hey, sometimes more noise calls in the fish.[/size][/blue]
[blue][size 2]Though I'll sometimes use a floating crankbait with a BB, mostly I use a crawler harness with 1 or 1/2 a worm. Move slow, usually just fast enough to turn the blades. Make sure the crawler is spread out on the rig so the worm doesn't twist and spin. I sit on my bow and run my electric to follow the bottom contour. Set the hook with a sweeping lateral motion, rather than up, and feed some line when they're biting lite.[/size][/blue]
[blue][size 2]The best rod for a BB is long to get it away from the boat, and a baitcaster or trolling reel is best. A lot of guys like flipping switches. You can also pull BB/crawler hanesses behind inline planer boards. Just let out line 'til it ticks, then find bottom a second time (you usually have to let out a little more), then attach to the planer board and set.[/size][/blue]