See the section on Slip-Weight Rigs for more information. This allows the main line to slide through the weight and provides little resistance when a fish strikes. These are actually slip-weights in that they are attached to the main line using a sliding clamp or quick change clevice. These are basically single arm bouncers comprised of only the weighted arm ( Figure 1-4, and 1-5). In those instances, when you let out your line, once you hit bottom reel it up a bit until your far enough off the bottom to avoid snagging in the rocks or weeds.Īlthough slightly different in application, there are also the pencil style bottom bouncer weights. Also, you don’t always want the bouncer hitting the lake bottom, such as when you are fishing a rocky section of a lake. So, you may have to experiment with what works for you on any given day. Using thinner diameter line, such as a superline, also eliminates drag and gets you down deeper. The faster the boat is moving, the larger the weight you will need to reach target depth. It’s important to understand the relationship between target depth, boat speed, line diameter and bouncer weight. Some even have removable weights so you can adjust the weight as needed. weights ( Figure 1-2) for fishing shallower and/or lighter baits as well as a style that molds the weight at the bottom of the bouncer creating a stream-lined foot ( Figure 1-3). There are also mini versions of bottom bouncers available as well that come in 1/4 oz. What size you will use will depend on what water depth you’re targeting ( Table 1). The elliptical weights come in various colors and in weights from 3/4 oz. The bottom weighted arm is typically 10” to 12” tall while the shorter leader arm is ~4” to 6” long and are placed at an ~90 degree angle from each other( Figure 1-1). The overall design of the bottom bouncer is fairly standard. Bottom bouncer specific rods are available, but a good medium to medium-heavy rod should be just fine. You’ll also want a reasonable stiff rod for bouncing. If you don’t let it out slowly, you have a good chance of the rig getting tangled up. To fish a bouncer rig you want to slowly let your line out as the boat is moving until you hit the bottom. As the bottom bouncer is trolled it stays vertical and allows the bait or lure to be trolled just above the lake bottom while the bottom of the wire frame makes contact and ticks, or bounces, along the bottom creating some additional erratic action. A monofilament or flourocarbon leader line is typically set at a length of 24″ to 72″. The main line is attached at the center of the bouncer, where the two “arms” meet, with a snap swivel while the leader line, with the bait hook or lure, attaches to the the snap swivel on the bottom bouncer with a barrel swivel.

It’s typically used for drifting or trolling natural live bait, artificial plastics, spinners, spoons and crank baits in depths from 10 to 35+ feet. The R-bend style is recommended because there is an increased risk of your main or leader line getting caught in the other types and being cut or breaking.Ī bottom bouncer is a simple piece of terminal tackle that is comprised of an inverted “L” shaped wire form with a weight and snap swivel attached. There are at least four different styles of main line attachment sites: 1) R-bend, 2) crimped, 3) twisted and 4) looped. There is also a bottom bouncer made of solid stainless steel (7).įigure 2. You can also make your own “Slinky Weight” using a shoelace or paracord and lead shot, sand or rocks for a great snagless sinker (6). Similar to bottom bouncer, the pencil weights come a smaller 6″ height (4) and the more standard 10″ to 12″ height or you can make your own with pencil lead (5). These obviously lack the leader arm and are typically attached to the main line using a sliding clasp, such as a quick change clevice. Similar to bottom bouncers in function are pencil-weight style bouncers (4, 5 and 6). However, they also come in smaller “mini” versions (2) or with the weight molded as a foot of the bouncer (3). Various types of Bottom Bouncers.īottom bouncers are typically fairly standard and follow a standard design with an “L” shaped wire form with a lead weight molded onto the long arm and a snap swivel attached to the short leader arm (1).

Bottom bouncer shot