Dodger Terminal Gear

[SilverBullets]

Does anyone here change out the barrel swivel/clip on the back end of dodgers and replace with a duo-lock snap? Years ago I had a discussion with a kokanee guide who was also on the pro staff of a major tackle company and he mentioned the first thing he does after purchasing new dodgers (the tear drop shape) was to give them a certain bend and change out the hardware to a duo-lock snap for better action back to the lure when useing short leaders. It makes sense that the closer to the dodger the more action is transmitted...the same reasoning of useing a short leader back to a hoochie. Hold a dodger by the front with one hand and hold the swivel on the back end with your other hand. Now move the dodger back and forth... there seems to be a dead zone of a couple inches where no movement gets transmitted back to the lure. Changing the swivel out to the duo-lock and doing the same test the duo-lock moves instantly. I don't see a problem loseing a swivel...still have one up front. I've never actually tried this but plan to this year...your thoughts?

 

[SuperD]

Bending or switching the rear swivel? A lot less effort to bend it. You wouldn't convince me that both are necessary.

 

[RalphL]

what is the duo loc

 

[SilverBullets]

what is the duo loc

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Luhr_Jensen_Duo-Lock_Snaps/descpage-LJDLS.html

 

[RalphL]

can't see how that would eliminate the slop. Is it the swivel on the lure leader your concerned obout?? Can't you just snip it off??

 

[SilverBullets]

can't see how that would eliminate the slop. Is it the swivel on the lure leader your concerned obout?? Can't you just snip it off??

I've never actually tried it...this is just what I learned from a friend who's a kokanee guide/pro-staffer. I guess his thinking is the closer to the dodger you connect the more action gets transmitted. I think part of the "slop" is due to the large split ring also. Anyway...here's a comparison shot of the differance between the two. The only benefit I can see from doing this might be when running hoochies or bugs...but since I use apex's mostly i've never bothered trying it.

 

[SuperD]

If one removed the split ring and tied directly to the dodger I could see how the action would be more efficiently transferred to the leader & lure. I'll stand by the "bend it and forget it" approach. I know it catches fish! ;-)

 

[SilverBullets]

If one removed the split ring and tied directly to the dodger I could see how the action would be more efficiently transferred to the leader & lure. I'll stand by the "bend it and forget it" approach. I know it catches fish! ;-)

It was a pita removeing the split ring to get that duo-lock on. I might rig up a couple like that but your right...it's easier just to bend them! laugh hyst

 

[DLM]

It was a pita removeing the split ring to get that duo-lock on. I might rig up a couple like that but your right...it's easier just to bend them! laugh hyst

That's what wire cutters are for.101wave2101

 

[Bduck]

I use a lot of the duo-lock snaps. I like them for ease of opening & closing. I never thought of changing out the a$$ end of a dodger to rid of the swivel. The swivel on the front of the dodger makes better sense than the back. When you look at my dodger collection they are distorted. I do the bending thing too.

 

[RalphL]

If a lot of rear end movement is the goal it seems to me that a long ,say 12in length of thin wire, like piano wire, hard welded to the butt end of the dodger with the lure attached to the end of the wire would REALLY accentuate the movement imparted to the lure. Hoochies would surely dance... (another project emerges to while away the winter doldrums)).

 

[Kokonuts]

I take off all the swivels on the rear of the dodgers and leave the split ring then add a Duo Lock to the leader / lure. It takes a lot more duo locks like this but they aren't a lot of $$. I have done it like this the last few years and it works well!

With lures that have a lot of action like Wiggle Hoochies/ Apex, I use a 12"-15"-18" 10lb leaders and with lures that dont have a lot of action I use a 8"-10" 12lb leader.
I have also talked with several people that use 12 lb even 15lb. & I think some go to 20lb.

Kokonuts signfishin