Spinner fishing. Bottom Bouncer or 3-Way Rig?

When pulling blades do you guys use a bouncer or a 3 way rig? What is the reason for either? I usually use a bouncer but maybe a three way is a better option.

Jason

With a BB, your spinner length will be in that 4-5 foot max lenght. With a 3-way and 18 inch dropper, you can run a longer length. Generally in that 6-8 foot range. I almost always run a 3-way.

-J.

Jon, do you blow your crawler?

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Jon, do you blow your crawler?

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No, not on a spinner rig. I will occasionally blow the tail (Last 1/3 of the crawler) when rigging.

-J.

Last week we did well using a 2 oz bouncer and a 7 foot leader. I feel it spooks the fish less then a big ole weight hitting the bottom. Just my 2 cents

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I feel it spooks the fish less then a big ole weight hitting the bottom.

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What is the difference between a 2 ounce BB or 2 ouce bell sinker hitting bottom?

-J.

The wire hitting and not the weight, yes there’s a fine line between bouncing the wire and dragging the wire and weight

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Jon, do you blow your crawler?

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Kinda personal question isn’t it?

Thanks for the info quys.

A bell sinker on the mud detects bottom much better but on the gravel/rock area’s a bouncer works fine. I’ve used both in each area and this was my experience. Running them properly, line at a 45 degree angle, you really can’t go wrong with either.

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The wire hitting and not the weight, yes there’s a fine line between bouncing the wire and dragging the wire and weight

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If you are touching bottom with a BB and 7 foot lead, you have a better chance of running the blades into the bottom. With an 18 inch dropper, that will not happen.

-J.

Makes sense I also agree with sensing the mud with a bell sinker

Here is an alternative I use from time to time, especially useful around rip rap on a causeway or the dam.

Pencil weight link

Just put it under a three way and you have the advantage of a wire to help keep the sinker higher so it don’t get stuck between boulders.

How fast are you guys pulling blades up there? Do most guys use a trolling motor or the kicker? Thanks!

I was using my trolling motor pulling bouncers last Sunday. I was between .7 and 1 mph with pretty good success. We caught around 30 fish most of which were 14-17 with a few bigger ones. It seemed like if I could keep things slower we got bit more. Some days this is not the case.

When i am running crawler harnesses most of the time i will run the no snag center slips on mille lacs. 1 reason most of the time im harness fishing up there im doing it on a mud flat or right off the side realy there is nowhere to get snagged on. and you can run as long of a leader as you want. Its basicaly a lindy rig. And doing this you dont need as much weight. On a rough day you can get away with 1 oz and ive gone all the way down to 1/4 oz on calm days. But if i go up in the rocks or gravel i will run a 2 oz bottom bouncer.

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How fast are you guys pulling blades up there? Do most guys use a trolling motor or the kicker? Thanks!

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I pull my blades between .9 and 1.2mph.

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With a BB, your spinner length will be in that 4-5 foot max lenght. With a 3-way and 18 inch dropper, you can run a longer length. Generally in that 6-8 foot range. I almost always run a 3-way.

-J.

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I actually run my spinner rigs about 3′ on a 3way, and fish them like a crankbait. You can cover a lot of ground, and hook ups are immediate! Longer snells for me give too much slack causing me more missed strikes.