downrigger flasher positioning

[PAkev]

I just bought a set of scotty downriggers and other than trolling outriggers and planer boards am fairly new to the downrigging arena. I plan to use them primarily for fishing lake trout in NY finger lakes and salmon on lake ontario.

I have been trying to educate myself about using flashers and dodgers. Some info indicates rigging the flashers independantly off the downrigger weight so that the leader doesn't require as much release tension. Although I see this to be practical with leaders up to 4-5 ft. I see longer leads of 10 ft or more having potential of creating a tangled mess if they get together. Is this method something I should give consideration to out of the gate or perhaps stick with the conventional in line method until getting more experience under my belt?

Helpful thoughts appreciated.

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: downrigger flasher positioning

The 8" flasher has a radius of aprox. 3', depending on speed. The dodger, side to side aprox. 3'. If you have your stacker release well above that, 5-10' for example, you should be okay.

However, most of the guys I know fish these "in-line" and make adjustments from there...

...Also a word of caution. Keep it Simple. The more "junk" in the water. e.g. More lines, more lures, more flasers, etc. The chance for more tangles.

I have fished with guys who can run 12 poles with no problems, experience of coarse is the key. Boat handling skills in rough water, wind, and current all come into play... And then there are some who can't run 3 or 4 without running into problems. Experiment with the new equipment and good luck.

 

[Barlow]

Re: downrigger flasher positioning

I'm not a big fan of draggin' hardware infront of baits but I do run some dodger/ fly combos on occasion. Lets face it..when things are slow and quiet .. you have too much time to think about switching to some of the crap you don't use normally. Be cautious at first - different manufacturers attractors work differently and better at different speeds, lead lengths, and vary with which bait you're draggin' behind 'em.

If I run 'em, they're on my main lines.. just don't make it brain surgery..a few key things to remember in my experience:

-QUALITY BEARING SWIVELS are a must!
- vary your lead lengths
- vary your depths
- larger flashers work better at faster speeds
- Lake Trout suck - j/k ... ok, not really... anywho..
- When you get tired of wasting gas .. switch to magnum glow spoons... I Joke .. d

2 riggers or 4 .. doesn't matter, just make sure they're not "equal".

however through all of this rambling ... I'd rig 'em onto your main line If I were you...If you plan on running flys just plan on it.

Good luck!