By Mike Frisch
Many years ago, I started fishing a bottom bouncer weight with a plain snell and a nightcrawler for summer walleyes. The rig quickly became a stalwart in my guiding and walleye tournament arsenal. Over time, however, I discovered the rig also catches fish during the cooler water periods of spring and fall.
Now, the “plain rig” as my fishing buddies call it, is often my “go to rig” regardless the season.
During summer I like to target traditional walleye holding structure like underwater points, humps, and sunken islands. Walleyes often hold in water depths ranging from 12- 28 feet depending on the lake. I scan these structural elements using my sonar unit looking for the presence of fish. When fish are found, I employ the plain rig at about .8 mph to quickly work through the fish to trigger bites. A 2-ounce bottom bouncer is my preferred weight for this fishing.
During fall, many of the deep, clear lakes that I fish have walleye populations that slide into much deeper water, sometimes 40-feet of water and even deeper! These fish are often found along steep breaks that plummet into very deep water. Because of the deeper waters being fished, I upsize my bouncer to 3- and even 4-ounce models. Again, I quickly work through marked fish.
A key to plain rig fishing regardless the season is to keep the bouncer on bottom but fishing as vertical as possible to avoid snagging and bottom debris. Plus, a nearly vertically fished bouncer has a stuttering action that is key to triggering bites.
Here’s more about the specifics of the plain rig. As mentioned, it starts with a heavy bottom bouncer. To the bouncer, I attach about a 40-inch snell of 10-pound fluorocarbon line. Tied to the end of the snell is a pair of hooks. The lead hook is often a fluorescent orange #4 bait hook and the trailing hook, a few inches back, is a #4 red metal bait hook. I nose hook the crawler with the orange hook, leave some slack, and embed the trailer hook into the crawler’s body.
I use baitcasting tackle for this fishing. My rod choice is a 7-foot Speed Stick designed specifically for bottom bouncer rigging. It’s got a light, sensitive tip but with a good amount of backbone to fish a heavy bouncer. This past summer, I started fishing this rod paired with an Accel baitcasting reel. This is a lightweight, smooth reel that I spool with 15-pound braid. Not only does this rod and reel combo do a great job, but it’s a very affordable set up too.
If your fall plans include walleye fishing, consider the plain rig using the tips just offered and you just might find a fall walleye fishing bonanza!
Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. See www.fishingthemidwest.com.
PHOTO – Mike Frisch with an “eater” fall walleye caught on a plain rig.
