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.

A common question is “what’s the best lure to throw to catch lots of fish of various species?” For me, the answer is easy. A bladed swim jig paired with a plastic trailer catches bass, northern pike, and walleyes. Plus, the combo is easy to fish.

Fall is a great time to be on the water for many reasons. Maybe the best reason is because the bite can be downright hot when the weather cools. Where to go to find the most fish in the fall? Finding green, living weeds is often a great starting point!