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Posted by jas on 09:14:36 01/16/03
In Reply to: Ball Bouncing For Halibut posted by Robert
: Hey Jas,I have a few questions on ball bouncing for flatties.1. Luhr Jensen reccomends a 12"-24" length of 20 to 40 lb test line from the dodger to the squid lure. What length have you had the most success with? Closer to 12" or closer to 24"? I know that the shorter the length the more action the squid lure will get from the dodger. I am planning on trying 20 lb Seguar Flourocarbon from the dodger to the squid lure. What is your opinion on this? Some times I have had good luck with flourocarbon leaders. Have you used them very much?2. Do you use any attractant to your squid lures? Smelly Jelly, Hot Sauce, Pro Cure? Or do you add a small piece of squid to one of the trebbles?3. Do you drift with the ball bounce set up if there is good enough current to make the dodger give the lure action? If not do you want to slow troll so that it will give the lure some action?Thanks. I appreciate anybody's opinions on the subject. Robert
Good questions.
If I'm getting a decent drift, I like closer to 2ft of length from the dodger to the lure. I prefer flourcarbon for a few reasons, but one of the most practical I found was for "threading" the squid with. The line is stiffer than standard mono so it's easier to thread the squid lure.
I have had some luck filling some of the squid cavity with some attractant like smelly jelly. Sometimes is changes the color of the jig, whether that's a factor or not. I have cut SUPER thin pieces of squid,put one on each hook. Though when you use any squid, it's hard to get the lure to "sit" right on the treble. You'll notice more soles and dabs will hit it when there is squid. Most of the time I don't use an attractant with these. Though one time I even blended anchovies and poured them into the squids with the leader already threaded. I froze the lures and brought them out with me in the am. I didn't catch a flattie yet using this method, but I've only tried it once. May have to try that one again.
I only ball bounce when there is a real solid current. A 16oz ball on the bottom is similar to an anchor. You need good current to drag it as it will slow you down, even stop you if the current isn't swift enough. I have slow trolled and have had some success, but it is hard work. Depends how ambitious I feel in the am. You can also use the same set up without bouncing, just clip on a topedo weight or even a lighter ball (8oz).
Rhyno turned me on to snubbers. Little pieces of surgical tubing used to take the shock out of the ball constantly bouncing and dragging. -see picture
Try different setups. I tend to like a little longer from the swivel to the dodger than from the dodger to the treble (that's how I was taught). Some people like keeping these about equal. Some people like using 6" from swivel to the ball. I mix it up, but I've found that around 12" up to 24" is a good length from swivel to weight. I seemed to tangle more when I used a smaller length like 5-10".
The trick with these setups can be just keeping them tangle free. Let it down slow, smooth and even (don't start and stop it when you're sending it down). When you reel up, reel it up smooth, not too fast, steady and even. The more I fish with these rigs, the less I get tangled. Use smaller dodgers for less current.
Save me a steak!
jas
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