bggent204 Loc: On Lake Meade in East Berlin PA

made up some BB's what size (inches} would the average bait leader be (mono) and should it be mated with a wire leader. Fishing for Wallies

bggent204 Loc: On Lake Meade in East Berlin PA

Or just go to the downrigger

Hotrod Loc: Naples, FL 7 months, Bflo NY 5 months

I use bottom bouncers in water less than 15 feet deep. The weight is about 1 ounce, No leader is necessary. I usually use 12 lb mono. The bait or lure is about 3 feet behind the bouncer. In deeper water, use 1 1/2 to 2 ounce.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I know they have a mouthful of teeth. I've never fished for them. Don't know if they're line-shy or not. If not, I'd use a wire.

Hotrod Loc: Naples, FL 7 months, Bflo NY 5 months

I caught many wallies over the years. They are mainly what I fish for during the summer. I don't use a wire leader and can not remember even one time my line was cut by their teeth. However, they do have a mouthful just as you said, Spirit.

Egghead

I use bottom bouncers for walleye. I tie straight to em with #30 power pro braid with a swivel.depending on the size of spinners and worm harness and depth I use from 1.5 oz for shallow water to 3oz bouncers for water 50' deep. Tie all my harnesses with #15 Pline floro. I don't like losing my spinners lol. Good luck.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

2-6’ depending on what you’re using and how close to the bottom they are. No wire needed. Lots of teeth, but they are spaced well. If you had a bait bitten off, it was most likely a Northern Pike or a Muskie.

bggent204 Loc: On Lake Meade in East Berlin PA

We don't have muskie or pike in the lake so will go with braided line say 20lb that I have. I plan to use live bait 2-3 feet behind the bouncer hellgrammites or minis.
I will also do a test, drifting with troller right down the center ditch Using a bouncer with live and or lure and down rigger with a lure at the same time. Let you all know those results when these weather conditions improve. That ditch is about 40-45 ft deep the rest of the lake is 2-20ft deep (man made) It's a fairly large lake. It's over 300 A with 5 coves great bass fishing. Oh and has a ton of docks and boat houses on it. Our assoc dues pay for stocking it as well. And it is spring fed. Pics to follow soon. Good thing about this is our ramps are open and its a semi gated community. Most fishermen on the lake catch and release. Know one resident that caught a near 4lb crappie and released it

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Keep us all posted (with pics)
I can’t even wrap my head around a 4lb crappie. The biggest I ever saw was 17” caught by my Mom.
Hellgrammites are awesome baits.
Speed is always crucial, depending on water temps. 1.8 mph gives me the best results, but have had success from 1.4 with live bait in cold, to 2.2mph with trolling crankbaits in warmer water.
Good luck.

gene so Loc: Las Vegas, New Mexico

Hello,
I will do practically nothing here except to agree with the vast majority of the writers. Forget the wire leaders, I have'm and use them for Northern where they are needed. Wire reduces the natural movement of your bait. I think fluorocarbon is the way to go. Walleyes can be finicky, and you must know this when they are just biting on the very end of your worm or leech. This is where a trailing small treble hook can be rewarding.
One thing suggested to me, which I have not fished with yet, is this: preface this by the bent hook principle called Slo-Death. It imparts a rotation to 1/2 a nightcrawler and was sensational; ten years ago.
I have been informed about a modified lazy Ike or flatfish lure. Take the front treble hook out and place an eye hook with a gang hook assembly that trails the lure. I tried this in my tub and the action, when the lure is worked slowly is really significant to the custom trailing worm rigs I use. I was so impressed I modified six lures this way.
Admittedly I have not fished with the technique, but suggest you try one in your tub, after modification. I think you will be impressed.
Take Care,
Gene So

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

Walleyes will not bite off the line. The reason pike bite off the line is that the sides of the teeth are serrated. When the line slips between the teeth, the serrations cut the line. Walleye teeth are smooth on the edges. The only way they can bite off the line is to have the line between two pointed tooth ends, not likely.

I have not, contrary to popular belief, found walleyes to be line or leader shy. I always use a steel leader fishing crank baits (I catch many northerns and muskies on crankbaits while fishing for walleye). I usually catch more walleyes than my partners because they get bit off all the time.

When fishing live bait, jigs, etc. I never use a steel leader as it interferes two much with the action and I rarely encounter a northern or muskie fishing that way.

CatchinWallies Loc: Gillette, WY

Fishing for Walleyes in Wyo I use 3’ to 4’ mono leader, weight is 1/2 - 3/4 ounce in water 5’ to 15’.

SaltyFisherman

Finally someone who can actually spell walleye.

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

My rule of thumb for bottom bouncers is 1oz per 10' water depth.. braid main line to the bouncer w/ snap or snap swivel. 6' Fluro leader to bait/rig...

John D Loc: Duncanville Alabama

Morning All,
Sorta on the same subject as the bottom bouncers. Does anyone have any info or advice on the bottom slider jigs ? I bought a couple this week & need some pointers. I’ve actually never heard of them until I saw them this week. Thanks