Bottom Bouncers

[LAST PASS]

When using bottom bouncers w/ nightcrawler harnesses on the st.clair river, do you drift, troll upstream or troll downstream??? (speed??) All advice appreciated.

Thanks

[radiohead]

Some people drift some people troll. I prefer trolling because you can control your movement and pinpoint holes you might know of, drop offs where fish are clustered up, etc.

Most including myself troll with the current. I usually start out targeting a 2.0mph pace, if we're not getting anything after a while I will play with different speeds bumping it up or down to see if that turns the bite on. Some days they are lazy and won't bite unless your harnesses are moving real slow...some days they are aggressive and a faster troll produces more fish. I'd say 80% of the time I go 2.0-2.2mph.

Make sure you are paying attention to how much line you have out...you want to be bouncing along the bottom, not dragging (too much line out) or if you don't have enough line out your harnesses won't be in the strike zone.


When using bottom bouncers w/ nightcrawler harnesses on the st.clair river, do you drift, troll upstream or troll downstream??? (speed??) All advice appreciated.

Thanks

[LAST PASS]

Thanks for the thorough response,much appreciated. I will be fishing Tues, Wed, Thurs; if the weather & wind cooperates. :evil::evil::evil:

[newtothervr]

With the right North wind you can drift at the right speed and just use your trolling motor to adjust the position of the boat once in a while. Make sure you watch where you are going, because different boats are drifting/trolling at different speeds and once in a while you'll come across someone achored.
Good luck!

[Stkbow]

The wind out of the north on saturday was ridiculous for trying to troll down stream. Had to use the trolling motor to slow the boat down, otherwise I was moving along at 3.3-3.5MPH on the GPS. You are absolutely on the money about watching where you are going. Had a guy saturday zig zagging upstream between all the drifting boats.

[MUSHY1]

Some people drift some people troll. I prefer trolling because you can control your movement and pinpoint holes you might know of, drop offs where fish are clustered up, etc.

Most including myself troll with the current. I usually start out targeting a 2.0mph pace, if we're not getting anything after a while I will play with different speeds bumping it up or down to see if that turns the bite on. Some days they are lazy and won't bite unless your harnesses are moving real slow...some days they are aggressive and a faster troll produces more fish. I'd say 80% of the time I go 2.0-2.2mph.

Make sure you are paying attention to how much line you have out...you want to be bouncing along the bottom, not dragging (too much line out) or if you don't have enough line out your harnesses won't be in the strike zone.

:yeahthat::yeahthat: My kicker seems to Idle the best at 2.0, but if they are not hitting at that speed, I will take it in and out of gear to go slower..;)

Mushy

[No Skunk]

I go troll faster when Im in the rivers. You have to make sure the blade is spinning. I got my limit in SCR on Sunday morning, I was trolliing at 3 to 3.5MPH. Remember the current is going (depending on the location in the river) 1.5 to 2 MPH, so if your going about the same speed, your blades arn't spinning. My Uncle was out Sunday with me in his boat, he stayed around 1.7 to 2 MPH and only got one. Don't blame me-- I kept suggesting to him to go faster. Now if I'm in the lake (No curent) I troll around 1.7 to 2.5 MPH.
Tight lines

[BigDaddy]

How long are the harnesses you guys use?

[Topshelf]

I go troll faster when Im in the rivers. You have to make sure the blade is spinning. I got my limit in SCR on Sunday morning, I was trolliing at 3 to 3.5MPH. Remember the current is going (depending on the location in the river) 1.5 to 2 MPH, so if your going about the same speed, your blades arn't spinning. My Uncle was out Sunday with me in his boat, he stayed around 1.7 to 2 MPH and only got one. Don't blame me-- I kept suggesting to him to go faster. Now if I'm in the lake (No curent) I troll around 1.7 to 2.5 MPH.
Tight lines

Are you going 3 - 3.5 on a GPS or by your boats speedometer?
The two are totally different. GPS is ground speed, Speedometer is water going through the collection tube on the boats gauge or in other words speed across the water.

I run 2 - 2.5 on the GPS

I run approx. 3 - 3.5 foot long harness's. Or what ever a arms length of line is :)

[radiohead]

Are you going 3 - 3.5 on a GPS or by your boats speedometer?
The two are totally different. GPS is ground speed, Speedometer is water going through the collection tube on the boats gauge or in other words speed across the water.

I run 2 - 2.5 on the GPS

I run approx. 3 - 3.5 foot long harness's. Or what ever a arms length of line is :)


:yeahthat:
I was talking GPS speed as well.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

My GPS speed is anywhere from 2.x to about 3.1 or so usually.

[10 ring]

It depends on the wind a lot. If its a firm N wind I usually just drift but if it is from the south or west I use the electric motor just to give some movement. If from the east I stay home. I believe the current is arond 2.2 on the gps I use a trolling spedo. at a little over 1 mph just to move the blades. Good Luck

[MUSHY1]

If from the east I stay home.

I use to think that way, but not anymore......;);) Well, less people competing for the Fish.....

Mushy