When it comes to presenting lures and baits near bottom in quick fashion, two choices come to mind: bottom bouncers and three-way rigs. Each has its strengths and inherent weaknesses; used correctly, however, they're deadly effective.

Bottom Bouncers
Bottom bouncers are the solution to presenting livebait at a steady pace a scant few inches above snaggy bottoms, flats, or open basins. A wire feeler arm on most bouncers minimizes hang-ups while scratching upright across rocks and rubble. They also can be fished vertically on a short line, even hovered in place, so long as you avoid slack and don't let 'em topple over and snag. Different designs offer presentation options for fine-tuning livebait delivery.

Tackle--Rod: 6- to 7-foot medium-power casting rod. Reel: medium-capacity baitcasting reel. Line: 10-pound-test mono.

Rigging--Most bouncers are designed to present spinner rigs at modest speeds, though they also work well at slow speeds with livebait snells and floater snells, and at higher speeds with flutter spoons. Weight selection, therefore, depends on a combination of depth and speed. Use 1/2- to 1-ounce models for water shallower than 15 feet, 1 1/2- to 2-ouncers for 15 to 20 feet, and 2 1/2- to 3-ounce weights in 30- to 40-foot depths. On most bouncers, a lead weight is molded onto a bent wire shaft, with the wire protruding below the sinker to deflect snags. The other end has a snap for attaching snells or tying leaders. Tie the line to the eye at the intersection of the two wire arms.

The standard spinner rig is about 30 inches long, with a #3 or #4 Colorado blade. Switch to a larger #5 for more vibration, or to Indiana blades for less thump. Popular colors include hot orange, yellow, or chartreuse for darker water; nickel, silver, or nonfluorescent colors for clear water; and copper, gold, or neutral colors for conditions in between.

Use a 2-hook harness tied with #6 hooks for nightcrawlers. Insert the forward hook lightly through the crawler's nose, the second partway down and into but not out of the body so the crawler trails naturally behind the spinner. Use a single hook for sucker-hooked leeches and lip-hooked minnows.