Leader length for apex

The line that comes with the apex lure I bought looks questionable so I'm going to change out the line.  While I'm at it, I'll adjust the leader length.  I was curious what length some of you guys run when using a 4.5" apex behind the dodger.

Also, has anyone tried running the apex behind just a deep 6 or a banana weight without a dodger?  I will be running a double deep 6 with dodger setup, but just curious if this simpler setup would work or not.

Any input is appreciated.  Thanks!

A double deep 6 + dodger = lots of drag! I will just be using deep 6 with my FBR, since the FBR  will rotate the bait on its own. An Apex lure I believe will also spin as it moves through the water, so a dodger is probably not needed.

You can run the apex with or without a flasher/dodger - both work and you can switch it around to see what might be better that day.    On the kayak I keep the total leader length, from deep 6/sinker release to lure/bait,  around the length of your rod ( around 7 ft or so).  When sitting at water level on the yak, the shorter total leader length allows you to have a better chance of getting the salmon into the net without too much high-sticking the rod.  You can go even shorter (5-6 ft) if you're running only the apex behind the deep 6/sinker release.

If I was running an APEX behind a dodger I'd go with 4x the length of the dodger for the leader, since the apex already has its own action. 

Its better to run the Apex without a dodger/flasher because it messes up the rotation.

Perfect.  Thanks everyone!

Ok...another noob question.

At the end of the deep 6, there is a swivel.  Then there is a bead swivel on the apex.  I imagine the bead swivel works better in terms of preventing line twist.  What do you guys do?  Just remove the bead swivel on the apex or make another connection from the deep 6 swivel to the beat swivel on the apex?

Make another connection with a swivel or split ring

Thanks bro!

You can run the apex with or without a flasher/dodger - both work and you can switch it around to see what might be better that day.    On the kayak I keep the total leader length, from deep 6/sinker release to lure/bait,  around the length of your rod ( around 7 ft or so).  When sitting at water level on the yak, the shorter total leader length allows you to have a better chance of getting the salmon into the net without too much high-sticking the rod.  You can go even shorter (5-6 ft) if you're running only the apex behind the deep 6/sinker release.

I run the total length from the D6 to the hook at 6' which includes a 4" flasher. You want to be able to lift the fish's head as you push the net underneath him. If your total length is longer than your rod, as John said, from a kayak it is harder to land the fish. One last tip about landing fish using the D6 is keep the rod low with the tip just below the surface and wind the D6 all the way in so it is up against the tip before lifting the tip out of the water. If there is line between the tip and the D6, the salmon can use the weight of the D6 to throw the hook with that annoying side to side head shake. This happened to me last year mooching. 


Diving planes like the D6 are attractors in themselves which is why they come in different colors.

You can run the apex with or without a flasher/dodger - both work and you can switch it around to see what might be better that day.    On the kayak I keep the total leader length, from deep 6/sinker release to lure/bait,  around the length of your rod ( around 7 ft or so).  When sitting at water level on the yak, the shorter total leader length allows you to have a better chance of getting the salmon into the net without too much high-sticking the rod.  You can go even shorter (5-6 ft) if you're running only the apex behind the deep 6/sinker release.

I run the total length from the D6 to the hook at 6' which includes a 4" flasher. You want to be able to lift the fish's head as you push the net underneath him. If your total length is longer than your rod, as John said, from a kayak it is harder to land the fish. One last tip about landing fish using the D6 is keep the rod low with the tip just below the surface and wind the D6 all the way in so it is up against the tip before lifting the tip out of the water. If there is line between the tip and the D6, the salmon can use the weight of the D6 to throw the hook with that annoying side to side head shake. This happened to me last year mooching. 


Diving planes like the D6 are attractors in themselves which is why they come in different colors.

between GB2, Bird, & Matanaska, I think even I might be able to catch a salmon someday-these tips are almost fish in the tankwell. Thanks guys!

The other day I just used about a 4' leader between the sinker release and apex. No flasher.

I replaced the stock Apex leader with quality 30-lb test fluoro, crimped the barb, and sharpened the hook.

Did the trick!

Dropping 2lb balls of lead on the ocean floor is not good.  IMHO

Dropping 2lb balls of lead on the ocean floor is not good.  IMHO

I fully agree. Just picked up double deep six yesterday. Green, size 1.

No more dropping lead for me.

When my double deep six broke off its weight I only had my regular sized D6 as backup. I couldn't get very deep so I added a banana weight to it and worked great for the time being. You can kind of see it on the top right of the picture. It has to be on the flat edge side or else it will easily trip the mechanism   

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