Attaching lake trolls to downrigger

[Bluknight]

I hope I'm duplicating an old effort here. I did some searches and couldn't find what I was looking for.

The situation - I like to fight my fish with as little gear on the line as possible. When running my downriggers I run the lake trolls (flashers) off of the downrigger ball and then attach my release to the end of the lake trolls. This way when the fish is hooked all I have is a dodger (if I'm fishing with one) and the lure on the main line with my fishy. I did this last summer and set my lure about 30-50 feet behind my lake troll and was successful on most occasions.

The question - how do you gents set up your rigs? I was talking to a gent that mentioned he wasn't sure what my lake trolls were doing for me if the lure was 30-50 feet behind them. I think he might have a point although it did work. Maybe setting it up differently would increase my success.

Any input is appreciated as always. Reports from Merwin coming soon....

 

[twisted lines]

There are several stacker clips with releases that go on the cable above your (Ball) and flashers, Vance's are the best. set your lure 5' behind the end of your troll and 4-5' above it. TL

 

[trollmonkey]

I'm with Twisted.I've had luck with the ball troll clipped to the wt. and the lure stacked 3-5 ft up the cable.Usually with a dodger ahead of the lure.

 

[onlychild]

dont use trolls often but if your connecting a release to the end of them as you tighten your line on the rod it causes the trolls to be pulled at an angle towards the surface try as T.L. suggested and connect to the cable

 

[MMDON]

I'm thinking you should shorten your set back closer to the trolls . . .

 

[twisted lines]

Go down a little slower then usual, so they don't get twisted; by rigging like this you can leave your Balls in the water and there not swingin that is a huge + But I am like JZ I have no swinging balls......laugh hyst

 

[Gene]

Trolls

Hi BK,

I usually use the lake troll attached to the main line then my leader with the goodies about 9-14 inches off that, that is what works in Merwin. I have had all the luck with that. if you use a dodger I dont feel that there is a need for a lake troll on your downrigger ball, just more gear to foul up. right now in Merwin you could throw your wrist watch out and catch on the surface ! if you look on my Merwin 2010 report I think you can vaguely see my lake troll set up + I have a snubber on there, but its optional, kokonuts said that its not necessary sense you troll about 40 pulls behind the boat before even clipping in, but it reasures me that the soft lip will not give out before I get the sucker in the boat.

Gene

 

[Bluknight]

Thanks for all the feedback gents! thumbsup

I'll probably start on top on Monday will definitely give these techniques a try as well.

Thanks again

 

[Kokonuts]

As far as the "Set Back" goes just rember the deeper you go the closer to the boat you can be.
With the fish close to the surface right now I go at least 50 ft. behind the boat!

101chromefish101....Kokonuts

 

[Kokaholic]

I dont use a ball troll until I am down about 50 feet. I then attach it to the rigger weight and then stack my release up about 5-7 feet above it with a set back of about 6-8 feet.

 

[SilverBullets]

I run the ball trolls directly off the ball and attach the clip around 4 feet up the wire. I let my line out so the dodger is around 2-3 feet in back of the trolls. This is usually done when the kokes are around 40 feet deep.
I think by attaching to the end of the trolls you restrict the blades from spinning/vibrating when you put a load on the rod. It seems it would pull the end of the ball trolls up causeing some of the blades to flutter more than spin. The shorter set-back will allow for tighter turns which gives more action to the lure and gets you back through the schools quicker. When attaching the clip a few feet above the ball if you drag the bottom chances are your lure will be ok...just bring the ball up and keep trolling.

 

[SuperD]

Hi BK,

I usually use the lake troll attached to the main line then my leader with the goodies about 9-14 inches off that, that is what works in Merwin. I have had all the luck with that.
Gene

How much fun is it to pull in kokes with 5' of metal infront of them? Try getting the flashers off the main line and running your presentation close to the flashers so you get the benefits without the weight. 2cents

 

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Trolls to the weight.

If You use a UV dodger, I am convinced that the flasher tied to the weight is of no consequence, especially later in the season, when we run the dodger and hootchie thing 30-40 feet back from the boat. Another option is to pait the ball with UV paint, or put UV tape on it. Also if you do not raise the ball to fight the fish, and You stop the motor to fight the 4-5lb fish at Wallowa or the Gorge, the flasher can tangle and You will defeat your purpose.

 

[Gene]

thank you

so if I run a gang troll of my ball i use a stacker clip about 1-4 feet up my ball line then attach my main line with dodger and hoochie to the clip? what if I run a wedding ring or squid with spoon on it, do I run anything else on my main line if I use a ball troll ? thanks for the help. I have never ran a gang troll off the ball but it is something I want to do because the last few fights I have had I could feel all the gang troll with the Koke on, want to get away from it.

Gene

 

[SuperD]

Run your stacker clip 4' to 5' above the ball. Run your dodger and lure presentation about 6' to 10' behind the ball. Run your main line the same way you have but just minus the heavy metal.

 

[Gene]

thanks

so I run the dodger and luer presentation off the stacker clip 5-6 feet. do I put a lake troll on the ball fin?

 

[SuperD]

so I run the dodger and luer presentation off the stacker clip 5-6 feet. do I put a lake troll on the ball fin?

That's correct.

l
l
l stacker clip Dodger Lure
l=={---------------------------------------------( )---------<<<<
l
l
l
l downrigger weight Ball Troll
***~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gene]

thanks

awsome drawing !! that simple drawing explains it all !

 

[ctkid]

does the ball and flashers still stay above the fish or at the same depth?

 

[ctkid]

if you are far off the ball, isn't the depth of the lure affected? the ball is at 40 feet but the lure can be at 30 feet. how do you know how deep the lure is at?