After starting trolling this year, I really hate having all the extra drag on the line when playing fish, I also find the acrobatics of the fish way better with no flasher. So I have been trying to use dummy setups off the ball instead but I get a crazy amount of tangles where the line from the flasher wraps around the tuna cord and my line. I started off with about 5-6ft of heavy mono and then tried shortening to about 4ft but still seem to get lots of tangles so can they be a lot shorter? I am using an assortment of flashers, usually 11" and have also tried some shorter ones, and they seem to have quite a lot of rotation so, is there a different style of flasher that is supposed to be used ? I have tried just not using the flasher but I get way less hits without the flasher somewhere in the mix. I look around at other boats and most seem to run the flasher off the rod but I read comments about dummy flashers instead and it is nice not to have all that drag on the line. Also, how high above the flasher should my release clip be placed ? The rigs I bought are pre-crimped to the tuna cord but I can tie them up and clip a release on at a different height instead.
Dummy flasher help.
- Thread starter Steve95
- Start date
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Che
Guest
They're tangling because you need to put your mainline clip higher up the downrigger line. Put the ball in the water, send it down five feet and you'll see what a big circle the flasher is making. You need your mainline out of that arc. Speed, current and turns can change all that, but 5' usally enough space to avoid tangles. YMMV
nicnat
Well-Known Member
you need a couple of very good swivels on your dummy with that heavy leader, at least one good bead chain and one good sampo swivel. you should be able to run just up off the ball with that set up with no tangles. as mentioned above your clip to your fishing line needs to be at least the length of your dummy leader above it.
Tugcapitan
Well-Known Member
My thought too, perhaps you’re dropping the ball down a bit too fast if the dummy is getting tangled in your line. You can control the desent with the brake or with your thumb on the spool for the tangles, and like was mentioned the swivels to prevent the line twisting.
spring fever
Well-Known Member
First off you should use an inline flasher-no whip like a regular 11 inch flasher. Next make sure the flasher cannot reach the kicker-no matter what!! Put your release clip at least the length of your dummy above it. Let your gear down slowly. CR is tough with the currents so make sure the lengths are sufficient so nothing can touch-no matter what!
I don't have an issue with it geting into the kicker but after checking my gear, my release is obviously not high enough above the flasher and I think I am probably letting it down too fast. Will try a couple of changes next time and look at getting a couple of those inline flashers with no whip. Thanks for all the help.
casper5280
Crew Member
If your dummy flasher has s 5 ft leash your release clip has to be a least 5 ft higher
Rain City
Crew Member
Science
trophywife
Crew Member
or common sense.. lol
spring fever
Well-Known Member
IT'S not that common!! LOL
Saxe Point
Well-Known Member
Caught some winter springs today using dummy flashers. What a difference getting the flasher off the line makes! Even the fight of a winter fish is so much better. I can’t wait for the big summer fish. No more in line flashers for me.
paguy
Well-Known Member
There is a reason most the people you see are using inline flashers, They work. Not saying dummy flashers don't, But sometimes even with a long leader that rotation of the inline flasher puts a little extra movement on your spoon or bait. I wouldn't even fish a hootchie with out the inline flasher. Just one mans observation.
Saxe Point
Well-Known Member
I agree with you about hoochies. They need the flasher inline to have action. So I’ll use inline flashers if I fish them.
I wonder if using inline flashers is really consistently and significantly more productive than using dummy flashers? Based on what I’ve read on this forum, guys say dummy flashers are only slightly less productive than inline. But they also say the trade off in terms of a better and more sporting fight is worth it. I think I’m in that camp.
I suspect there’s only anecdotal evidence about the relative effectiveness of the two methods.
Rain City
Crew Member
I think it's one of those things that most guys will fish the inline during the winter months to get whatever small fraction of an advantage they can but come summer when you're all over them you might as well go for the better fight. Plus I've heard that the big fish are more gear shy so if you're targeting a trophy fish the dummy setup with a giant herring or spoon can refine what you're targeting. Just what I've heard, please don't **** on me.
