Bottom bouncing is an excellent way to cover water, while triggering both active and neutral fish. In addition to being highly productive, bottom bouncing is a presentation that can be fished throughout nearly the entire open water season. Beginning as early as April, bottom bouncing is most popular through the summer months. However, some of the best bottom bouncing bites can take place through September and into October. I break down how my blade selection can change over this period.
Early in the season, generally April and early-May my bottom bouncing presentation is very simple. My top presentation is often a colored 5mm bead and a plain #4 or #2 red octopus hook. I tip this offering with a minnow and fish at relatively slow speeds. Experiment with the color of your bead, during tough bites that small amount of color and attraction can scratch out a few extra fish.
As spring transitions into summer, I begin adding .8” Mack’s Lure Smile Blades to my presentation. Throughout this transition, I generally have half my rods with Smile Blades and half my rods with plain hooks. Fish will generally prefer one or the other. If they’re preferring blades, I then begin to experiment with the color of the blades.
About June, I’ll start pulling exclusively .8” Smile Blades. I’ll also begin transitioning from minnows to nightcrawlers. Near the end of June, leeches will start becoming an option as well. It is about this time I’ll start pulling size 0 Colorado and Indiana blades. While Smile Blades will still be my primary option, there will be certain days these small blades will produce the best.
Throughout July and August, the food web will be a peak performance. The abundance of bait in the system means you need your presentation to stand out from the rest. This is when I begin to deploy #3 Colorado blades and Mack’s Lure Pee Wee Wiggle Hoochies. I’ll also begin to deploy brighter colors. The key to these baits is they produce a significant amount of vibration, flash and are a larger profile to stand out among the rest.
September is a time of transition for walleye anglers. The summertime blues have left, but true fall patterns have yet to set hold. Forage has had all summer to grow and to compensate for this I begin to deploy #4-#5 Colorado blades. These larger profiles both match the forage in the system, while also producing a significant amount flash and vibration to draw fish in from a distance. Many times the key to success in September is covering water and picking off active fish. These baits are perfect for this task. Depending on water temperatures, it’s important to have both minnows and crawlers in the boat as fish’s preference can vary by the day.
October is when we begin to remember our lessons from April and May. As water temperatures drop, I’ll begin deploying the same half and half presentation with my rods. Half my rods will have .8” Smile Blades while half will be a plain hook and minnow. At this point, walleye are generally preferring minnows again. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the color of your hooks on your plain rigs as well. Many slow days have been saved by deploying a plain chartreuse hook and chartreuse 5mm bead.
Bottom bouncing is truly a bite for all seasons and with the right tweaks, you can catch fish from April-October. Pay attention to the water temperatures, forage in the system and what the fish’s moods on. Make adjustments and pay attention to patterns that emerge, you’ll be sure to catch more fish when you’re out bottom bouncing! Good fishing!
Related Articles
The Mack’s Lure Smile Blade is one of the hottest blades on the bottom bouncing scene right now and for good reason. The Smile Blade produces the perfect amount of flash, vibration and color to draw walleyes to your baits. The Smile Blade is a critical part of both Mason Propst’s and Nick Harrington’s tackle box, learn everything you need to know about it in Fishing the Mack’s Lure Smile Blade.
One of the most important aspects of being a successful bottom bouncer is having the right snell at the end of your line. Nick Harrington breaks down everything you need to know about tying your own snells in Snell Tying Basics.
While many basic bottom bouncing rigs can catch fish, some days more advanced presentations are the most successful. This is especially true during the hot summer months. Nick Harrington details the aspects of some of his more advanced snells in Advanced Snell Tying.
Are you looking to take your bottom bouncing to the next level? Check out what Lip Ripper Tackle has to offer! Visit with Nick to find out what custom snells would work best on your body of water and help you put more fish in the boat!
