Best Kokanee Attractors: Lake Trolls vs Dodgers

When trolling for Kokanee most anglers employ either dodgers or lake trolls to attract fish. I've always preferred dodgers but never tested lake trolls on equal footing with dodgers.
Tackle Featured in this Video:
- Dodger: bit.ly/2yw8F8T
- Lake Troll: bit.ly/3dyiYbj
- Spinner: bit.ly/3aXU2sE
- Kayak: amzn.to/2A5H6DI
Thanks for watching!

[@kcreameans]

Thanks Tyler! Another great video!

[@bparr9086]

LBC awesome!!! It's been a lot of years, so it's great to see it again.....

[@ericfeatherstone9373]

Great video Tyler, and the shout out on the fish finder! I have been hitting Chelan a lot lately and have finally started to see schools of Kokanee. Anytime you want to do a video on a properly set up Helix 5 for the lake, would be tremendously appreciated. ;)

[@fauxsho887]

Glad to see that you're back on the water.

[@braddixon3338]

Great side by side compare, and I had no doubts the dodger would win the competition. I always say, "if it isn't wiggling, it isn't catching", which you just don't get with the lake troll. Having said that though, I do put a lake troll off my downrigger ball, so sort of a hybrid solution.

[@chadboyd6390]

Would love to see the same head to head with dodgers and Mack’s flashlights. Love your channel.

[@jasonisaacson4590]

Just got off Wallowa Lake; I fished yesterday afternoon till dark, daylight till 730 AM and then again from around 6 PM to near dark today.....dodgers were the ticket. Last weekend was the same, troll struggled all outings. I have had days where the trolls were highly successful, but my confidence in the dodger keeps increasing.

[@stowperro]

I knew the Dodger would win! Thanks for the post.

[@travis6923]

Great video. Can’t get over how much quieter the top water is compared to your Hobie.

[@spiltmilt]

I know it's crazy quiet

[@pmm422]

Great video thanks!

[@ChrisKingAngling]

Last season in the summer the Flash Lite Troll lake trolls outfished all the dodgers in my collection . I couldn't believe how dominant they were. I started fishing a chartreuse flash lite troll vs a pink flash lite troll and the fish would only hit the chartreuse combo. This spring dodgers seem to be the more effective option the three times I've been out.

[@renotimberwolf2139]

Just ordered some Dodgers and other goodies from your links. Luckily I’m in Reno where the tackle shop is.

[@dankeen8561]

You should do a hoochie VS Wedding ring video

[@ChiefManny1]

I did this same test yesterday. Bright UV pink 4 bladed flashers vs sep's silver UV 3/0 dodger. Using a rainbow pattern 3" grub. From 10 am to 1pm caught 5 total trout. Caught 2 average size and 2 misses on the flashers. Caught 17", 17.5" and 19" on the dodger. Dodger brought in the bigger fish.

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

My experience of years using lake trolls, you need to run longer leaders to your lure/bait. The old timers who taught me said the commotion of multiple blade scared off bites on a short leader. 18" is the shortest for super aggressive fish and I'll run out to 36" on non-aggresive biters. You are correct about the drag issues, but the old "pop gear" still has its place. Great video!

[@spiltmilt]

It's weird to me that they are bothrred by rotating blade but not by a dodger slamming back and forth

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

Difference between 4-6 blades making full rotations vs a single wobbling blade? They often told me if you were getting follows but not takes, your leader was too short. They were mostly using F3 or F4 flatfish or Super Dupers, so didnt depend on the troll to impart action, just flash and vibration. They would start at 24" and adjust from there. I did see them go shorter using Wedding Ring Spinners and worms, about 18 inches. I do respect what the old timers (R.I.P.) had to say, as they were experts using the old Les Davis and Luhr Jensen lake trolls. Dodger were used exclusively for Salmon only by that crowd, the Kokanee Dodgers had not been developed. Just my 2 cents.

[@spiltmilt]

This was only 2 blades. I do agree though that an "action" style lures behind a laketroll can be deadly but many anglers still swear by laketrolls and wedding rings.

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

Because every old tackle box in the PNW is still loaded with Ford Fenders 🤣😂

[@BekahEmma]

There a a lot of kokanee in Billy Clapp as well, and the Rainbow Trout fishery is very good. Any surplus kokanee available get stocked into Billy Clapp....or so I've heard.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I've had some great Kokanee days trolling by the island on that lake.

[@SkunkfaceNF]

You make fishing look effortless. I love watching your vids but hate how I feel afterwards. Generally, I am lucky to catch one fish on any trip.

[@SkunkfaceNF]

@Paul Foxworthee If only it was the just the tackle.

[@tla1950]

Great videos, can't stop watching. Do you mostly use the ArrowFlash standard or the lite? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

Standard. The "lite" only works at really slow speeds

[@DK77201]

Great video as always! Do you have a "weak" side on your kayak? The weak side of my canoe produces more Kokanee maybe 80% of the time. Would you consider do another comparison switching sides? I would also echo the comment that the difference in "optimal" leader lengths for the two types of attractors may change the definition of "equal footing" in comparison. Again, great video!

[@spiltmilt]

I don't notice any bias to one side or the other on my kayak but I will explore the lake troll vs dodger scenario more.

[@davidpelto8824]

The dodger also has a visible pulse to its action, which helps you know if your gear is working right or tangled.

[@jkramer5512]

I use a lake troll all the time for trout and can absolutely get it to a point where my rod has the same pulsation to let me know I'm at the right speed. I wonder if he was pulling too fast for the lake troll as my experience with both indicates that dodgers (depending on the shape/size) like to be pulled a bit faster than the lake trolls do. Good comparison though.

[@robin8559]

I would love to see a comparison with a skateboard style dodger ( Dick Nite Silver hammered finish). To a Tear Drop style dodger. I don't own a tear drop dodger. And I'm afraid that I will have to buy a new set of dodgers. Bet you have done this test before off camera. thanks Robin

[@stevegibbons8893]

What weights do you use to get them down?

[@kasebier8688]

Could you tell me what size blades you were using on the lake troll from PCT? They have several sizes, I'm guessing small or extra small. If not what would you recommend? Thanks...Great content!

[@spiltmilt]

Small

[@chadglover3455]

Have you tried the small blade Kokabow lake trolls? Hot pink is my favorite. Vibrant and flashy colors. My local lakes near Spokane, there is none better.

[@spiltmilt]

I don’t use Kokabow products

[@thetastelesschef7463]

what about distance between hook or terminal tackle and the dodger and lake trolling set up. is there times of day or in the season when you'll be changing that part? which distance do you do better with?

[@spiltmilt]

I run 6-12" leader lengths behind dodgers and for action type lures up 30" behind lake trolls.

[@chorn103]

Have you ever tried the 4” 360 flashers for Kokanee? I picked up a couple from pro-troll real cheaply, and wondered if you have any insights.

[@spiltmilt]

Waste of money. They don’t work at Kokanee troll speeds

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@kirkjohnson9353]

I've searched through your videos to find a recommendation for a trout ultra light trout rod but failed to find it. Can you recommend a trout rod for me? I'm looking for something pretty light for most trout fishing. Thanks. I've really enjoyed your videos and have learned a LOT from you..

[@spiltmilt]

Spinning or casting?

[@kirkjohnson9353]

@@spiltmilt Spinning

[@spiltmilt]

Okuma Celilo UL spinning is great

[@billyharville7721]

I guessed Lake troll. Dang. Have you tried the Mylar blades? Not much drag.

[@spiltmilt]

I've not tried Mack's flashlight lake trolls but I know several anglers who swear by them

[@Tip_Of_The_Rod_Productions]

If you had a smile blade or dodging lure on the lake troll the results would be different. Since the lake troll doesn’t add action you need to use a lure with action.

[@spiltmilt]

I agree I discuss this in the video

[@StevenG1955]

I don't care for the lake trolls (flashers) for the same reasons. Unfortunately, I have many of them from previous days. Any use of them like break them down into something else?

[@Eric-gi9kg]

Tyler.. Do you have favorite colors for the Dodger when fishing Kokanee?

[@spiltmilt]

My favorite color is silver with pink and moon jelly tape but I do well with orange, gold, and chartreuse.

[@Eric-gi9kg]

@@spiltmilt Thanks I believe I picked up a couple of those today at White Elephant.

[@dougwilliams3276]

What lake is this??

[@alanhanna1521]

If you took away all the dodgers I have and left only one that Arrow Flash would be it! Thanks for sharing Tyler

[@magwamagwa45110]

go dodgers.... lol what do you think of snubbers the other day I got 24 but probably hooked 50 so i went about 50 %... all dodgers.. love them

[@SVaya2018]

Magwa Magwa what hooks are you using? That has been a difference maker for me.

[@magwamagwa45110]

@@SVaya2018 i am using #2 wide gape finesse hooks gamagatzu the other day i caught 24 but i must have hooked 45 many are getting off on the way in... Thanks

[@SVaya2018]

Magwa Magwa yeah those are the ones I switched to. My land rate has improved with those hooks. I have also added 20 feet of 12lb mono top shot to my braid. I think that has helped too. Good luck!!

[@leslewis687]

@@SVaya2018Guys make sure your hooks of any brand and style are SHARP, we have found this to help boating more fish.

[@NWfish509]

Is this Banks Lake?

[@spiltmilt]

Deep Lake

[@brixelus]

That’s insane price for those dodges.

[@spiltmilt]

Worth it

[@doug7170]

What lake is that?

[@spiltmilt]

Deep Lake

[@doug7170]

Thanks

[@lawrencekickery7666]

Are you on Facebook or Instagram?

[@spiltmilt]

Both