Dodgers and Kokanee Fishing: Is Flash Important?

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Dodgers are fundamental component to the Kokanee rig. They contribute action to the lure, generate vibrations in the water, and produce flash to attract Kokanee to your gear. In this video I explore the importance of flash to Kokanee fishing.
To learn more about the electric Old Town AutoPilot kayak featured in this video click here bit.ly/2BWCX6e
Tackle Featured in this video:
- Santiam Fishing Rods: bit.ly/3e8ItAK
- Arrow Flash Dodgers: bit.ly/2yw8F8T
- Microshrimp rigs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naiXaKKBebeKeJo
Thanks for watching!!!

[@16snowboarder]

You need to make more fishing videos about testing all those interesting ideas of yours. Very informative and entertaining to watch, plus we all learn something!

[@chubbrock659]

10:25 when you’re talking and your flasher is running along side your kayak, it looks like a fish swimming. This definitely shows why a Kokanee would be attracted to the flash, it looks like a fish chasing food. Love the videos.

[@bennynotti6175]

Always enjoy the down to earth presentation of each video subject😮

[@stingray4540]

I love these side by side comparisons! Just found your channel and have wasted most of my day watching these. You should revisit this same experiment on a sunny day next year.

[@Eric-gi9kg]

Tyler.. Love it when you do these comparisons. It REALLY helps in my fishing tactics And in my purchases of gear. Hope to see you on the water next year.

[@yakhusker5914]

So glad to see this smoke clear. I couldn’t get out much just because of that. Excellent vid and thanks for the fishing help and inspiration. Hoping to get my chance soon.

[@edhelgabell3138]

Thanks Tyler. Hope the smoke clears soon and life comes closer to normal. Be safe.

[@kayakangler7683]

Arrow Flash and Simon dodgers are my best producers. Here in western Washington, there are many days when gold and copper dodgers outfish silver 5 to 1. Good to see that lake's kokanee population doing well again. Keep up the great videos.You should be getting some coho returning just south of you in the next week or two.

[@spiltmilt]

I hope they let us have a shot at them Coho like last year.

[@montanaoutdoors6217]

I love the comparison videos...esp the one where you reeled in fast vs slow...that helped alot for a guy who runs leded line! Lots of line to reel in sometimes.....one question, do you ever use spin and glo rigs? They work great where im at!

[@adamsnyder9347]

Another great way to test this hypothesis would be to use a clear dodger, which would require a serious development phase since I’ve never seen a clear plastic Kokanee sized dodger. Having read Jed Davis’ book “Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout” I often think of his “threshold of attraction” hypothesis, and wonder if there are times where a dodger that has lots of thump, but low flash may be beneficial. Maybe when running a lure that has its own action, like an apex style spoon, you could have a dodger substantial enough to add a thump to the lure’s action, you could run the apex really close to a clear or black dodger without the visual aspect of the dodger spooking the fish that are curious about the lure. Seems like since we’re not trying to replicate a feeding reaction, maybe it’s more a balance between curiosity and caution that makes the fish strike the lure like they do. I think if the Kokanee watched as much KZbin and read all the magazines we’d all be doing s lot better lol.

[@allanfry1914]

Really like your videos. I have learned a lot and plan to use some of your methods on my local lake here in Southern BC. Keep them coming!

[@capoeirabrasil]

I like these experiment videos. Hope to see more in 2021!

[@macsmith2092]

I love the challenges that you do! Thanks

[@supertaft77]

Awesome stuff as always!

[@brianmumford6468]

I am confused in determining depth vs. weight. Is there a way to calculate it? I saw a chart that showed 50’ of 10 lb. mono with 2 oz. at 1.5 mph and it showed a depth of 17’! Since you obviously catch fish at the depths you are seeing fish you have your depths/weights dialed in. Another question, does the dodger and lure weight get calculated in or is it solely the lead? Maybe you could post a chart you have derived or point to one that you use.

[@spiltmilt]

I'll work something up and share it soon with you.

[@PhattyBarnett]

I think there are several of us interested in that info. I've had some trouble failing in the depths as well.

[@justinhopkins5036]

Would you mind making a video or talking about what you do immediately after you catch a fish. Specifically I'm thinking you must kill them because they aren't flopping around after you get them into your hands. Also I see you throw them over your sholder are they going into a cooler full of ice? Lastly once you come off the lake for the day do you clean them there or take them home and process?

[@CB-sb3cm]

Informative - thanks Tyler! Do you fish kokanee through the spawn? I've heard the meat isn't as good....

[@spiltmilt]

I will fish through the spawn on some lakes targeting next years fish. The bucks will even retain fair meat quality into the early spawn. If its a lake the depends primarily on wild production rather than hatchery then I will leave the fish alone.

[@stowperro]

Please this coming spring do this test again but with one side painted and one side painted but pink paint or other color or all painted but not black. Maybe fully taped. Thanks

[@garyroenicke2102]

Awesome video and info, Thank You👍

[@michaelr4401]

How has the fishing been here the last couple years? I see this video is a couple years old and was curious if it's still as good. Thanks as always.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes still good

[@livingterminal5792]

Wow I guess i'm lucky living in Central Oregon our Koks are big just caught some the other day 18 inches was the smallest and fly fishing .

[@spiltmilt]

Still plenty of "dink" Kokanee lakes in central Oregon but a few lakes do hold some dandies. The same can be said for pretty much anywhere in the western United Sates.

[@garypage9515]

Thanks for the video. What "depthfinder" do you use...(it looked really convenient)? Thanks.

[@spiltmilt]

Humminbird Helix 5 Chirp/GPS G2

[@davidcrowson4745]

Pretty cool, how do you achieve the depth of your lure? And do you think a flashy paddle tail would work in that application. Anyway just a thought. Glad y'all were safe during all the wildfires.

[@spiltmilt]

I use lead droppers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2rbk2l4d9d5h5I

[@billyharville7721]

So what do you think about flashers, those really light weight, I think they are Mylar blades. For action you could pair with a wiggle hoochie or, add a action disk to any lure. Going to Badger in Cheney tomorrow, I’ll give it a try,

[@spiltmilt]

I've tried the flash light dodgers with spoons, wiggle hoochies, and Kokanee cut plugs and have caught Kokanee on all of them but the dodgers still outfish them.

[@Snapset1]

Thanks for an insightful experiment. Any chance that the scent of the paint might be off-putting? I enjoy your videos.

[@spiltmilt]

Doubt it. Painted it several weeks ago and washed it with soap as well.

[@arlanjohnson8841]

Tyler, I have a comment and a question. I went Kokanee fishing this weekend in Eastern Washington to a lake I had never fished before. I caught one nice Kokanee in the morning but never caught another the whole weekend only Rainbows. I was trolling between .9-1.2mph using pink lures and your corn recipe. The thermocline was between 30’-40’. I was marking fish around that depth on Saturday and Sunday but had some marks down below the thermocline 50’+ didn’t move the gear down because I didn’t think they would be that far below the thermocline. Could those have been Kokanee?

[@spiltmilt]

Oh yes. Sometimes they will hang our far below the thermocline especially if there is a food source down there they have keyed in on.

[@arlanjohnson8841]

Thanks I’ll have to try that next time

[@galentorneby2480]

Thanks!

[@jasonisaacson4590]

In a direct comparison....try a silver beer can troll vs a silver dodger......troll should have greater flash. Obviously action is different, greater from dodger, I think, but "sound " from troll should be greater! What do you think, Tyler?

[@spiltmilt]

I think a dodger will smoke the troll. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZovZlayBgM6MqqM

[@Jarom.M]

Were the black dodger strikes brought in initially by the flash from the silver dodger and then the lateral line came into play? Given the spinner change-up, I'm thinking that was the case. The only way to know for sure is to run two rigs with black dodgers. My guess is that would be pretty discouraging day of fishing though. ;)

[@spiltmilt]

It's a possibility for sure. Yeah I would have to pretty bored to run two black dodgers. LOL

[@victorlopez2132]

Great videos and details of what you got going on with tackle and tactics. I've never used a dodger and want to try it out. Which ones would you recommend. I'm sure it'll have to have som flash

[@spiltmilt]

I like the Arrow Flash dodgers from Poulsen Cascade Tackle

[@mallyallygramps]

Is that Amped battery powering everything in your kayak? How many amps?

[@spiltmilt]

Only the motor. You want a separate power source for your fish finder to avoid interference

[@thedavidrussellking]

another good video! so I went salmon fishing today with plug cut herring. I didn't get a single bite. I went in with the tide... doing all the things I know to do... any tips? can you do a video on how to get the right action on a herring? I bet you'll be in the Brewster pool before long!

[@spiltmilt]

I almost never run herring anymore instead preferring Yakima Spinfish or Brads Superbaits. We don't have a fall chinook fishery in Brewster but I may head down south soon.

[@CascadeBackcountry]

What power/action and length of rods are you using with that 2oz weight? My biggest challenge has been finding a rod that isn't massive that can handle the weight and drag if long long lining for trout and kokanee without a downrigger

[@spiltmilt]

I use the Santiam Kokanee rods they are 7'6" and handle 2 oz easy.

[@joegarza5708]

Thanks for the info

[@stoweman34]

Makes sense why I’ve had better luck with my Ford Fenders than my dodgers….on another note…I was taught to long line at 100-150 to get to 25-50’ deep. Would you rather run 50’ w/2oz weight rather than running longer line? Or is the longer line necessary with a power boat vs a kayak?

[@spiltmilt]

I can't imagine you are getting any deeper than 15-20' deep long lining unless running a really heavy dodger.

[@stoweman34]

Spilt Milt Productions I’ve been running the Ford Fenders out that far….two or three flasher/dodgers on one line…honestly, I’m not sure how deep it’s getting; I was just told the longer I go out the deeper it would go. I can’t see the long lines on my fish/depth finder like I can the downriggers.

[@raymac1936]

Informative video thanks for sharing

[@lawrenceblue8207]

What about damsel nymphs or leeches that look more like the natural insect for Kokanee on fly fishing gear?

[@dustinrhodes1091]

Just curious why you have a right hand and left hand reel?

[@spiltmilt]

I goofed the arrangement in this video but I normally run them that way so I just reach over and reel them up while in the rod holder.

[@dustinrhodes1091]

Spilt Milt Productions makes sense I was sure there was a reason but never figured out y!

[@MRCRUM77]

I just recently moved within a couple miles of an excellent Kokanee lake. Any advice on choosing dodger colors? How important is color.?

[@spiltmilt]

Silver in low light. Brass/gold in bright conditions. Watch my Kokanee formula series for more in color

[@MRCRUM77]

Ok will do. Great job on the vids by the way and the channel name is great…lol.

[@ChuckVandervort]

I notice none of my line counter reels are accurate for the number of feet let out behind the boat. Do you know of an accurate line counter reel?

[@spiltmilt]

IMO experience the Daiwa accudepth is the most accurate for 10 lb monofilament. It all depends on what lb test they are designed to be used with.

[@johncole5297]

Do you ever use glow in the dark flashers

[@spiltmilt]

You know I have never used glow in the dark flashers for Kokanee.That is weird now that I think about it.

[@genel.8582]

What lake is this

[@SVaya2018]

Looks like a lake in eastern Washington. Lots of good kokanee lakes over there. They have a good resource on WDFW web page with which lakes have kokanee. Do some research and go fish them!! wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/oncorhynchus-nerka#locations

[@chubbrock659]

Does the flash simulate a school of fish?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes or feeding fish

[@tony1519]

You ever fished the mouth of the deschutes?

[@spiltmilt]

For Kings and Walleye yes.

[@tony1519]

@@spiltmilt did you fish it this passed weekend? It was really good fishing

[@brilintube]

👍

[@danm1319]

Wheres your n -95 bro

[@vanislandsteve]

👍🏻🍻🇨🇦

[@magwamagwa45110]

no snubber on the chrome so the black had even less action due to rubber snubber...

[@spiltmilt]

I don't use snubbers

[@magwamagwa45110]

what was the white thing about 5 inches long on the black blade?

[@spiltmilt]

Weight slide

[@magwamagwa45110]

@@spiltmilt well my bad i love your videos going to wallowa for the first time this year..