Hey guys I have been doing a lot more bottom bouncing this year but have been using a lot of open face spinning reels. I want to get a decent bait casting or bass reel for one of my rods. I would like a few ideas and of some reels that work good. I want to be able to push the button for the line to come out and it stops when you let off. Any good suggestions. Thanks
Give Dean a buzz at Everts. He’s got just what you need.
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Give Dean a buzz at Everts. He’s got just what you need.
The quantum Accurists are very good bottom bouncing reels, with a good flipping switch. Pflueger had one a year ago or so, but I don’t remember the model. The flipping switch is the big key though.
I use a diawa sealine 17. my buddy Jon likes left handed low profile bass reels in left handed (don’t ask).
It sounds like Quantum discontinued the Walleye Series. They are basically the same thing as the Accurist style only they had walleye printed on them. I have four of the Walleye series and four of the Accurist 500’s. The reason they work so well is because of the reels ability to engage or disengage the “trolling switch” or as the bass guys call it the “flippin switch”. This switch lets you release line by pressing the thumb switch and then the reel will automatically re-engage. I also use them for jigging steep breaks in the fall. They work great any time you need to constantly vary the amount of line you have out, such as bottom bouncing
I use my Sealine 17s for bouncing. They work great, and prevent me from having to carry another whole set of rods just for bouncing/pulling spinners. I use the same set of 4 rods (two St Croix Wild River 10.5s and two St Croix TWC70MHM 7.0s) equipped with Sealine 17s for long line trolling, pulling boards, pulling bouncers, pulling 3-ways….get the picture?
Among the lessons that guiding has taught me is that versatile equipment, even if it costs just a bit more on the front end, will save you money (and space and frustration) in the long run by preventing you from carrying dozens and dozens of technique-specific combos.
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in the long run by preventing you from carrying dozens and dozens of technique-specific combos.
Ya, but it looks way cooler to have lots of rods hanging in the garage.
I second Whiskerkev on the sealine17. I like the fact that you have the linecounter option. Even in bottom bouncing, with the linecounter you can know that you are somewhere in the area of the bottom by knowing how much line you have out at certain depths and speeds with the weight you are using.
It also allows you to set up with a snap to troll cranks or bouncers as well.
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in the long run by preventing you from carrying dozens and dozens of technique-specific combos.
Ya, but it looks way cooler to have lots of rods hanging in the garage.
very true lol
I would also suggest any line counter reels.
Two reasons, 1 you don’t have to buy another reel since you have these line counters for trolling cranks already. Secondly your able to keep your line at the desired 45 degree angle when bottom bouncing vs just letting out a bunch of line and dragging bottom or lifting your rod up and down to check the bottom.
My 2 cents, if it counts. 
I prefer the shimano Tekotas 300 series for the better drag system. I still use the Sealines, but like the shimano better.
Isn’t it a real pain in the 
letting line out and reeling it in when using the line counters?? At least the Sealines(don’t know how the Shimanos work). I guess I’m used to constantly adjusting the amount of line I have out when bouncing, so I don’t feel a Sealine would be very efficient.
Thanks for the posts guys. I love using line counter reels and have them but I am looking for a good reel that has the flipping switch so I can easily let out line with one thumb and not worrying about reeling to close the spool.
I’ve never used a “flippin switch” but my sealines have a lever on the top and I can easily let line out with one hand. The thing I like about them is I set one rod on one side by feel and I can keep the other close to where I want it with a number. I also like the one behind me in my tiller to have a clicker set so I can hear it when it gets popped.
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I prefer] the shimano Tekotas 300 series for the better drag system.
As Cal said its tough to beat the Tekotas. I love them.
All line counters have basically the same setup as a “flippin switch”. open and close the bail with your thumb.
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I also like the one behind me in my tiller to have a clicker set so I can hear it when it gets popped.
Based on the number of fish you’ve caught this year, I’m guessing you’ve heard that sound like ONCE?
Like the alleged 7 fish evening you had with no pictures….
Jolly Joker. I think the bet just went up for RW.
If I’m truly working a bottom bouncer, I want a rod/reel that I can hold in my hands all day. That means a low profile casting reel with a flippin switch. You guys running line counters – are you hand holding those rods all day?
-J.
Almost never.
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Almost never.
Then you are not bottom bouncing. You are trolling bottom bouncers. I think that’s where there is the confusion in the answers here. Any reel will work trolling bottom bouncers if you stick them in a rod holder. True bottom bouncing is more finesse where you just tickle the bottom every once in a while. For instance moving forward at .5 mph or less and dropping the rod tip back slightly to feel bottom. Especially in situations where you are working up and down snaggy breaks. Gary discribed it well in a recent Post .
-J.
Rod holder = Draggin’ Bottom….
big G 
I agree with Mr. Jordan. I run bouncers in Canada when the family is along & 4-5 lines are out at at time. Next year I’m going to charge a buck everytime someone isn’t paying attention and gets hung up. Big difference between staying close to the bottom (that’s why you use a bottom bouncer) and just trolling. Can’t imagine holding a line counter set up all day. If you are fishing a lake or river with minimum structure change, rod holders work, but not if you are in the rocks & changing bottom.
Pete
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I asked this question earlier this year and I went with a new Quantum Walleye Series and love it, has the twitching bar and has been a great reel so far, with bouncing season in full swing it will hopefully be getting a good work out!
I bought the same reel and it works fantastic! I went with the left handed model because I run a tiller and it fits perfectly into the operation!!
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You guys running line counters – are you hand holding those rods all day?
-J.
Yes I hand hold a Tekota 300LC bottom bouncing and all night fall trolling with no complaints. Putting them in rod holders looses too much of the “feel” for my liking. The Tekota’s are actually made to be able to palm the reel also if you so desire.
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You guys running line counters – are you hand holding those rods all day?
-J.
Yes I hand hold a Tekota 300LC bottom bouncing and all night fall trolling with no complaints. Putting them in rod holders looses too much of the “feel” for my liking. The Tekota’s are actually made to be able to palm the reel also if you so desire.
Me too…Hold the reel all day, only can legally fish with 1 line so no need to put it in the holder..
When I think bottom bouncing, Jon J. and I agree.
Fishing a “snag” rock, moving up/down all over the jagged reef, from 10fow to 40fow and everything inbetween.
I prefer a reel that I palm and keep my thumb on the spool release bar, pressing whenever needed to lower my rig in a one-handed operation. The only time two hands are needed is when coming up from the depths to shallower water.
I have 4 rods specific for bottom bouncing, a 6’6″, 2-7′ rods, and a 7’6″ rod. The majority of the time I prefer the 6’6″ rod because it is stout, just like a vertical jigging rod. Working the rock-reefs, I try to keep more vertical than at a 45 degree angle to avoid dragging down or up the sides of the reef, which will get a guy hung up. Keeps a person “closer” in the zone is my confidence belief. Also, dragging a bouncer rig means you are dragging over rocks, which the fish don’t live in the rocks, they are roaming above it, looking to ambush food.
I troll bouncers, I bottom bounce like you are talking about, and I also drift with them with cat rigs. I can use more than one rod because we have better laws than you do. If you could use two, I bet you would. when trolling them, I try to keep them a foot or two off the bottom. Depends on what the bottom is like. I am not very good at any of these things but know what I like and a few have agreed with me. To each their own I guess.
Personally, if I was trolling, I’d use a 3 way with a bell sinker. When I BB 2 rods, I hand hold both. I have a left hand and right hand reel, both with a flippin switchs.
-J.
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