Trolling for trout at Shadowcliff

  I limited at Berry a few weeks back with that setup: egg sinker//dodger//worm on 18" leader.  My other rod was flylining a rapala J7 (firetiger or brook trout).

Hamachijohn

Hamachijohn

One thing to think about when trolling 2 rods is to make sure that both lures are presented optimally at the same speed. So if you use a Seps Pro 4/0 dodger and worm the optimal speed may be .75-1.5 MPH whereas a Shasta sling blade dodger is 1.6 -1.9 MPH. A Rapala J7 is 1.7-2.0 MPH. Here is a good article on dodgers.

http://www.fishsniffer.com/content/1227-fishing-dodgers-we%92re-not-talking-about-tommy-lasorda-fernando.html

Been a long time. Let's hookup this year for something.

scott

Definitely Scott!  I always enjoy learning from u older/wiser anglers! 
 Lookin forward to it neighbor!

Btw, this thread has been a good learning for me. Someone do a write-up on catfish- I 'm serious!

Peace 2 U

That's a good article on dodgers.

That's a good article on dodgers.

+1, I read it awhile back but good to revisit.

But man, the grammar is atrocious.     I came across almost a dozen and wasn't even reading for them.

That's a good article on dodgers.

+1, I read it awhile back but good to revisit.

But man, the grammar is atrocious.     I came across almost a dozen and wasn't even reading for them.

TEACHERS RULE! Been a long time fishing with you too. Let's hook up this year.

Scott

TEACHERS RULE! Been a long time fishing with you too. Let's hook up this year.

PM sent.

yes, that was a very good article on dodgers.  thanks for the share Great Bass! 

So I think I'm ready to troll some rapalas, bought a couple J7, J9, and JS5's in firetiger, shad, and brown trout patterns.  My backup will be dodger + worm combo.  Since I do not have a FF yet and its my first time out there, I plan on just trolling all over in search, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice as to a general area/direction I should head for from the launch area.  For now, I've printed up the map with lake depth markings to scope out what I can.  Any help is appreciated. 

Also, got a question for those of you that troll the rapalas.  Do you use a swivel clip for ease of changing lures or just a rapala knot?  I've heard mixed things about this, I would prefer to use a clip so I can switch out lures easily, but some claim that the swivel clip is just one more thing that can spook the fish.  Any input on this?

Also, got a question for those of you that troll the rapalas.  Do you use a swivel clip for ease of changing lures or just a rapala knot?  I've heard mixed things about this, I would prefer to use a clip so I can switch out lures easily, but some claim that the swivel clip is just one more thing that can spook the fish.  Any input on this?

I use a small Duo-snap to connect my lure. Be sure to use good snap swivels before and after the dodger, and the easiest weight to use is a keel weight, clipped on to the front of the dodger.
3/8 oz. to 5/8 oz. depending on the size, speed & depth you want to fish.
Good luck and tight lines.

I've read others using the duo-snaps as well, I'll probably go pick some up, but what are the advantages if any over the barrel swivel snaps?  Are barrel swivel snaps ok to use or do they pose an issue in trolling?

I end up using the duo snaps since they are cheaper than the high quality barrel's that I like to use for other things.  Yes, easier to change out lures.  Do the fish care?  I dunno, hows so many fish hitting that A-Rig? 

Most lures are designed to be presented without a snap swivel. For lighter finess lures like the super duper, a snap swivel dampens the action. For lures like grubs that produce a lot of line twist you can add an in line swivel several feet from the lure. You never see proanglers connecting lures to a line with a snap swivel for a reason.

You never see proanglers connecting lures to a line with a snap swivel for a reason.

Yeap, i'm sure they tie on their A-Rigs directly for sure 

Most lures are designed to be presented without a snap swivel. For lighter finesse lures like the super duper, a snap swivel dampens the action. For lures like grubs that produce a lot of line twist you can add an in line swivel several feet from the lure. You never see proanglers connecting lures to a line with a snap swivel for a reason.

OK I'm lazy, I've tried tying direct vs. using a tiny duo-snap ( not a snap swivel) and checked the action and could not tell the difference. I agree with you on the  small finesse lures though.

You never see proanglers connecting lures to a line with a snap swivel for a reason.

Yeap, i'm sure they tie on their A-Rigs directly for sure