I've been doing something similar (find em on sonar then drop the presentation right onto them) but I slow my trolling speed down (1.2 - 1.5 mph on GPS). Also, I'm usually tighter to the ball (10-20 ft) as I am using the Moosamaloo vertical flashers on the ball. I have not tried the "pop the release and jig" variation, but I will in the future!
Have you ever jigged for lakers? When jigging for Lakers a method that works great is an escape method Ie. ripping your bait away from the fish you are targeting. You jig above a pod of trout until you see one move up to look at your bait when this happens you rip it away from them and they HIT... This method you speak of is doing the same thing esacping the bait away from the predator fish triggering a instinctive strike!