Yesterday I pretty much threw out the whole concept of the 45 degree angle when you troll with bottom bouncers. Vertical is the way to go with that technique. Scrap the whole idea when drifting, one rod, always in your hand, then bring back the 45′ concept.
This is fairly important this time of the year when the fish seem to be scattered and not schooled up over square miles. When you find them, stay on them as long as you can. Use the wind, or use your electric trolling motor to control the movement of the boat, but stay on top of the eyes you find.
Depending on the speed of which you are moving, the weight of the bouncers will help you stay in that optimal 45′ angle from your rod tip to where your line hits the water. Under normal conditions these four weights will meet your needs; 3/4, 1, 1.5, and 2 oz bottom bouncers. If the boat is moving so fast that you need a heavier BB, then you should be under power from your gas motors.
That’s the big water technique, if on inland lakes where the conditions do not normally become so extreme add a 1/2 oz BB, and subtract the 2 oz bouncers from your arsenal. You follow the same concepts, but it is an extremely rare moment when you need to go heavier than 1 and 1/2 oz.