Bottom bouncer setup

[Feathers and Fins]

Nathan, there is an old saying, you get what you pay for. In fishing I find this to be false though. When it comes to Rods you want to go with a one that will last many seasons and is comfortable. ( cork, squirrel-tail, foam etc ) so many handle options. Hit the bait n tackle shops find a couple you really like and feels well. The well built in the long run are cheaper than not well built you break or constantly have to keep repairing.

Reels are fickle beast I have seen Calcuttas bust where a cheap Mitchell never did and vise verse. But I do believe in going for a name brand with a good warranty. Bottom bouncing I prefer to have a reel that holds 200yds of line for those striper moments but seldom do I let out more than 50ft of line out while bouncing. So in a long winded way what im saying is go feel a few rod and reel combos.

I have been ready to pull the trigger on new rods for a while now but I keep rethinking myself. I am going to order everything from Mudhole im sure but its picking the rod that is driving me nuts. I want all the Baitcasting rods to be 7'6'' to 7'9'' all will have a rear grip of 12'' and foregrip of between 3.5'' and 5'' most importantly they will all be the Aftco lightweight roller guides. I am tired of guides popping out and or freezing. I have been looking for 2 years for just the right rod, when I find a blank on there I like I go find it someplace and play with it to be sure it does what I want and still aint found one.

[rps]

Nathan, there is an old saying, you get what you pay for. In fishing I find this to be false though. When it comes to Rods you want to go with a one that will last many seasons and is comfortable. ( cork, squirrel-tail, foam etc ) so many handle options. Hit the bait n tackle shops find a couple you really like and feels well. The well built in the long run are cheaper than not well built you break or constantly have to keep repairing.

Reels are fickle beast I have seen Calcuttas bust where a cheap Mitchell never did and vise verse. But I do believe in going for a name brand with a good warranty. Bottom bouncing I prefer to have a reel that holds 200yds of line for those striper moments but seldom do I let out more than 50ft of line out while bouncing. So in a long winded way what im saying is go feel a few rod and reel combos.

I have been ready to pull the trigger on new rods for a while now but I keep rethinking myself. I am going to order everything from Mudhole im sure but its picking the rod that is driving me nuts. I want all the Baitcasting rods to be 7'6'' to 7'9'' all will have a rear grip of 12'' and foregrip of between 3.5'' and 5'' most importantly they will all be the Aftco lightweight roller guides. I am tired of guides popping out and or freezing. I have been looking for 2 years for just the right rod, when I find a blank on there I like I go find it someplace and play with it to be sure it does what I want and still aint found one.

Good advice. I just did not want to create pressure for Nathan to spend more than he felt comfortable spending. That is partially the resaon I suggested the Falcon HD. That is their off shore made lower price alternative and the one I have has borne bottom bouncing well.

As for guides popping off, Scott. Google the Forhan lock wrap. If you finish the wrap that way, it only breaks off, never pop off. Second suggestion: If you make the rod with a spiral/acid/revolver guide setup, the sideways torque that ruins guides goes away. Most of the salt water custom builders recommend the spiral wrap. Just saying.

[nathanhooper]

Thanks again. I am for sure not going to spend money on something just because it has a name. I did spend more than I usually do last year when I bought a nice pflueger setup. It was well worth it, and really only, at most, $40 more than I 'usually' spend. It does not have magical powers that catch more fish over the other setups I have, but it is a whole lot nicer to fish with.

When I first started trolling I bought some very cheap rods and reels. They worked......but only for that season and as soon as I could afford it, I bought new setups and gave the old ones away. Again, spending right around $40 or so more for the new setups which are going on their 3rd year now without any hickups.

So, I do know from experience how spending just a little more in the beginning is worth it, and in some cases a better investment.

I am not so much just a fair weather fisher, but at the same time, as you know, I don't do that much fishing during the winter.

So far I am seeing that one main thing is a rod 7'-8'. Much difference between Medium and Medium/Heavy? And a faster tip is more desirable than a slower one because of sensitivity correct?

I see not a whole lot of attention is put on the flipping switch, looks like just Tanderson. When I have read around the internet people tout this as one of those 'must haves'. I have to admit, I like the idea, but I will be a one rod guy for a while and run my trolling motor with a foot pedal, so I do have use of both my hands. The one thing I could see is if I really like it and decide to go into a two handed approach and having a rod already setup for it.

I would honestly rather buy something in a store, of this nature, rather than offline. I buy a lot of stuff online, but when it comes to things like this I would rather have the option of walking into a place and explaining why I need to return it than shipping it off. I have yet to return anything fishing related to a store, but you never know when you might have to.

[Ron Burgundy]

My bb reels also have the flipping switch, if u get up to Springfield go to BPS and check out their bb rods designed by Parsons and Kavajecz , those are decent rods..

[J-Doc]

I myself like to go for broke and use heavy tackle.

I use an 8oz trot-line lead weight molded onto to a 3/8” x 2ft long rebar on saltwater style 100lb test. I also paint the rebar and lead weight red because red is ALWAYS a good color down to 30ft! Then I use a 50lb Suffix braid leader about 6ft long with a chartreuse painted stick of dynamite with a trolling motor prop rigged in front of the dynamite as a spinner. The walleye are very attracted to the vibration of this setup. I then use an 8ft waterproof fuse to allow the setup to get into place before the fun starts. Once the rig has activated correctly, it makes my HDS unit obsolete because the entire sea floor surfaces to the top. Talk about hi-definition!

[nathanhooper]

Do you get the dynamite online or a local shop.........

[J-Doc]

I pour my own molds.

[Tanderson15]

J-Doc I guess you want to make sure you can see it on structure scan. I track mine on downscan that's on the transom that way I know when to lift it over brush and snags.

[J-Doc]

Usually structure scan goes all white when the chartreuse bait goes off. Probably the shock wave.

You know I'm only joking right? ;-)

[Tanderson15]

You are!