Great Technique That Really Helps Catch Walleye in Mi Waters

If you want to catch some walleye, here is a technique that has really been catching on in Michigan over the last few years.

Chasing Walley

Ever since I moved back to Michigan catching some walleye has been something on my list of things to do.

I’ve caught a few small ones on Croton Pond and lost a few in the Muskegon River.

Other than going on a charter boat one time in Saginaw Bay, the only place I have had good luck catching walleye was on the St. Clair River in Port Huron. There are some parks that run along the river and I used to fish offshore from when walleye season comes in through early May.

I fished at the edge of the dark into the night using 1/2 ounce and 3/4 ounce jigs with 6-inch twister tails and limited out several times.

It wasn’t until last summer when a guy at a bait store in Newaygo tipped me off on bottom bouncers that started to bring me some luck.

Using Bottom Bouncers to Catch Walleye in Michigan

The video above is a really good lesson on using bottom bouncers.

The weight of the bottom bouncer will depend on if you are fishing in a lake or a river and the water conditions. I found that 1, 2, and 3-ounce bottom bouncers will get you through most any situation.

Here’s what a bottom bouncer looks like below.

You tie a leader line to the swivel. Most crawler harnesses already have the leader but if you are using a lure you will need the leader line.

I used a crawler harness and it works great. You will need a trolling motor to fish like this and depending on the motor somewhere around 1.2 to 2.5 mph seems to be the sweet spot. If you are fishing a river with a current you may have to go a little faster. You want the bottom of that bouncer hitting the bottom and that leader line will keep your crawler harness down where the walleye are.

You can decide on the color of your crawler harness. A lot of times you can ask the local bait shop owner about the colors that are working and they will help you out.

The main thing is you want that bottom bouncer bouncing off that bottom at about a 45-degree angle. You feel a strike set the hook and real the walleye in. This technique works during the day and at night.

I’m looking forward to trying this on Muskegon Lake.