I have never used a dodger but want to this weekend.Can you use it off the rigger and, if so, how far back behind the ball? I was told to put the fly 10-15 inches behind the dodger. Any suggestions as to what kind of dodger to use? Thanks
I have a couple ways Joe, as I'm sure many more have different ways. I run a flasher/dodger right off the ball. I have 3 feet of downriger cable that connects to the ball. I run my fly/bait/lure about 2 feet above, and about 3-6 feet behind the flasher/dodger. This keeps my line free of the weight of the flasher/dodger. I also only use 6lb balls. The flasher will move the 6 lb ball all over the place, and will make your fly/bait/lure dance quit a bit. it makes my rod look like it is in a jigging machine.
The other way I do it is to run a dipsey, 6 feet of 10lb test to the flasher/dodger, then 8lb off the flasher/dodger to the fly/bait/lure, and about 12-16 inches behind. The short distance keeps the fly/bait/lure dancing. The reason for the 10lb from the dipsey to the dodger/flasher is because you will break them off and it stinks to lose a 15 $ flasher, and what ever you have on it. The 8lb at the fly/bait/lure will keep the line from snaping from a haead shaker. 12-16 inches does not give much play, and if I use anything less I lose lots of flys/bait/lures!
Thanks, if I can only keep the 8 inch baby salmon off the line! Last year I caught over 20 of them little leaping lizzards. They must come down out of the lakes as they tell us they do not stock Moore Dam.
a few feet behind the ball is fine, also paint your balls yellow or some attractor color. i was a little taken back last year when a maniac told me to paint my balls yellow, took a little while before i understood what he meant, best advice i got last year.
last week i had real good luck trolling a davis school of minnows attached to the ball with my line about a foot and a half above on a separate release. im going to try your method with the dodger and smaller ball zigzagging this weekend if i can get out. sounds like a real good approach.
You what is great about this sight is everyone sharing ideas. I never ran a dodger off the ball directly but thought of it. But the idea of switching to a ligther ball and letting the dodger swing the ball and line for added movement, I like that. That will get a try from me soon. Thanks Popeye.
I use 11 inch dodgers and flashers. Running them directly off the ball with swivels will give you more of a shake, rattle, and roll with an 11 inch dodger. Wait until you see what your pole does when you got that set up, and what your bait/fly/lure does at 6 feet back!!
With my flashers/slashers, they too are 11", but I run those like I said 3 feet back to give them more of the slashing action, and the bait/fly/lure about 6-10' behind that.
The drop in ball(angle) from a 6# ball to a 10#ball is about 4 feet at 90 feet down. I run nothing but 6's, might use a 10 on my back riggers up to Ontario, and 6's on the side just to give them a different plane.
Proline, thats where those releases come into play I told you about. Did you ever pick up any?
White seems to be the best, followed by green then blue. (just like Ontario!!)
Yep. I have those releases and haven't gotten to them but have mental note to look you up on them soon. I had shoulder surgery in March followed by knee surgery in June so my time on the water has scarce so far. Tough to handle the boat alone all crippled up. Kids are teenagers and would rather sleep now. Dock to a ravaging this spring and we are waiting for Winni Marine to repair so the Assoc. we are part of wants boats on the trailers until fixed. Off to a slow start but have managed a few outings with my dad. Biggest fish for us so far is 3lb Bow off Sandy.
