Do you use Ball Trolls on your downrigger?

[Full_Monte]

I've read two opposing opinions on this. I have read that trolls will scatter the fish. I have also seen some pros recommend them. I have seen pros who use them boat fish while using them when I wasn't having any luck using only a dodger. What's your opinion?

 

[SuperD]

Here is my story, I fished the Gorge a few years ago on a buddies boat and we were using 4 chrome shark weights for the 4 downriggers. During the trip one of the sharks was lost and we had to go to a plain black ball. That rigger seemed to go dead as far as catching fish versus the other 4 riggers. I decided to put a set of ball trolls on that rigger to get some of the flash back and it immediately became the hot rigger for the next couple of hours. However, in repeated attempts I have not seen that dramatic of a difference between that rigger and others on the boat. My conclusion is that the ball trolls have their time to be effective but they aren't a full time attractor.

 

[Bluknight]

I have always used them even when running a hoochie with a dodger in front of it. I just run the release a few feet above the ball trolls like I do when running a wedding ring.

I've always had success with this method but that doesn't mean some days might have been better without them. Seems to make sense that more flash in the water would attract fish but somedays they might not like it flashy I suppose.

 

[SuperD]

Published wisdom on the subject of catching kokes is "start with as little tackle as possible and keep adding only if it is slow or until you hit what they want." Right or not, I don't know but seems reasonable to me.

 

[SilverBullets]

Yep, the ball trolls have their days. What I've found best is to start the day running one rod with and one without to see which one gets the first few hits. Everyday seems to be different...some days the trolls knock em dead and other days a bit longer set-back without all the flash is what they want. The best day I've ever had koke fishing (non-stop chinese firedrill) was with ball trolls on both sides of the boat early one morning. I think part of the reason they work is the flash and vibration they provide when the kokes are spread out... but some days when the sun gets high they might be a bit too much. I've had a few experiances when they did well early (useing a short set-back) but had to remove them later and get farther back to get the bite going again. Ball trolls are just another thing to have in your bag of tricks.

edit: I've also read the theory that ball trolls might attract predator fish or cause fish to scatter. One thing to concider though is the number of guys useing in-line trolls and the success they've had over the years...just saying

 

[Full_Monte]

Thanks for the responses...it's amazing that a couple hundred guys can read this without commenting. I'm sure they have opinions.

 

[Rafting4fun]

Ball Trolls/ Attractors

I hope this applies to this but perhaps in a different way. I was fishing Anderson Ranch today and noticed more than a few times the same anomaly. I have never trolled Ball Trolls/Attractors off my D/R Ball. So here is the deal. I was running a down rigger from 30' to 45' and leaded line on the other pole . Maybe this is just coincidence but I'm open for opinions. I run my D/R with a setback of about 30' to 40f'. On the leaded line, I was running at approximately 5... 30' colors . ( long ways back I know) . My other Leaded line was 20' colors but the same thing happens. When the leaded line would hook ,I would reel it in and when it( the hooked fish) got to close proximity of my setbacks the Shuttle Hawk would trip, "fish on"! I postulated that I was going through a school and attributed the strike to simply that.
My question is do you think the strike off the d/r was perhaps related to the action of my Les Davis and fish on "fighting" as it got close to my set-back..... or just going through a school?
I'm growing an argument for running trolls and then... how far off the ball to accommodate my featured offering.. most likely a , " Sling Blade"... John

 

[Full_Monte]

Hmmm...you may have your release on the Shuttle Hawk set too light...may need to tighten it up a bit. If you are running ball trolls off the downrigger weight, you should be running a much shorter setback off your release clip. Set it up so that the dodger or lure is a couple feet behind the end of the ball trolls and a couple feet above (to keep from tangling with the ball trolls. Let your rigger ball down slow enough to avoid tangling the line and your ball trolls. Using ball trolls 40 ft. in front of the dodger makes little sense to me.

 

[SilverBullets]

It's very likely that fish were attracted to the les davis troll you were reeling in and happened to notice the lure on the other rod when it got in that area. When running ball trolls clip your line above them and have the dodger a couple feet inback like Monte mentioned.

 

[redmanjr1]

Sorry guys, I was one of the lurkers out there and not commenting. Sometimes all I have time for is a quick fix to see whats going on in the world of kokes. Hope the following helps. I use ball trolls every time I go out. My dodger/lure is set about 2 - 3 feet above and 4 - 5 feet back from the weight. Seems to work very well so far.

Bob

 

[Rafting4fun]

Thanks guys, I think I will try them. I only have one D/R for now but will have two my next season.. (Santa, you listening?).. Its hard for me to understand why a ball troll would scatter the fish, as I catch so many on similar attractors on my leaded line. John