Kokanee Fishing: Is More Flash More Better?

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Flashers, lake trolls, and dodgers are all critical to success when trolling for Kokanee. They act to attract Kokanee attention from afar and some even impart action on lures. In this video I test whether having more flash improves catch rates by adding a lightweight lake troll in front of a dodger setup.
Tackle featured in this video:
- Mack's Flash Lite Troll: amzn.to/3IHwdbj
- Paulina Peak Performer Lite Dodger Moon Jelly Nickel: paulinapeaktac...
- Paulina Peak Moon Jelly Cotton Candy Spinner: paulinapeaktac...
- Depth Table: spilt-milt-sto...
- Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz
- Assortment of Lead Free Weights are Great!: amzn.to/3MXmH3L
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[@tribunis_gaming6760]

I've watched most of all your videos related to Kokanee fishing, and they've helped me understand so much more than I ever thought I would. Utilizing all of your research and tips I was able to almost limit out on my first ever Kokanee fishing trip with my father this past weekend. Which is the first time we've fished together from a boat in 20 years.

[@spiltmilt]

Great to hear!

[@aleksanderbokov3574]

Love those experiments!

[@spiltmilt]

Glad you enjoy them! Thanks 🙏

[@tazeat]

I like those little macks blades, I've used them several times and always done ok when I use them. I bought some of the paulina dodgers and spinners after seeing some of your stuff and have had success, but caught plenty on macks dodgers and their classic wedding rings and their numerous variations of trout and kokanee spinners too.

[@catfishman9516]

Good to know. I’ve been trying to decide if it’s worth it to buy the paulina peaks or just keep using my Mack’s that i already have.

[@kyleoden3015]

I'm a big fan of smile blades. Cheap and they come in many sizes.

[@fishwhistle9666]

I use the Pauline peak heavy dodgers and love them. But macks smile cha is the best hoochie I've used. And macks wiggle hoochie

[@curtisyoungren3531]

Interesting video! We don’t use gang trolls but I clip them between my downrigger ball and clip. This way I get the added flash without the drag. I like this concept with the flashlight troll!

[@HaftardsGuideService]

I have definitely noticed a better catch rate when I fish 4 rods and try to get all the flasher right ontop of each other. I feel I do better when all 4 rods are within 10 ft of each other vs 2 rods on the surface and 2 rods on down riggers

[@daveengstrom9250]

When I fish I like to have coffee and sometimes doughnuts. I doubt it increases my catch rate.

[@alexboyer7515]

I would like to see this test run 2 more times in different weather conditions. I think you might be on top something just need a bigger test group

[@spiltmilt]

It will continue

[@chrisb.3722]

You get more doubles than Pete Rose.

[@andygraham-og4dg]

Great Video! It might be interesting to try this experiment on trout?

[@walkdawg216]

i would love to see a vid on you set up the more flash rig

[@silverseeker-oregon]

Going back to old style ford fender flasher style. Worked back then. Have used it when needing a change up.

[@skylargardner1631]

I've used those macks trolls without a dodger and did well. I also like to throw one behind my downrigger ball to get flash to the fish then run a fairly close setback behind the downrigger maybe 15 ft then as they see those flashers the dodger and lure run by them. Seemed to work well.

[@edwin6709]

I just purchased using your link ❤

[@harryjayne5306]

I run flash lights behind my down rigger balls. I learned that technique from Todd Whittwer a guide on Bass & Shaver lakes in CA.

[@nw_angler]

Solid stuff as always.

[@BourbonForageFishing]

Great title!! 😂 Love it!

[@chubbrock659]

This is fascinating, thanks for setting this up! Definitely trying it this year. I’m curious how the flashers would work alone without the dodger too?

[@caaspal]

You should try running a dodger off you downrigger ball. Wonder if it would help

[@jacobdalecrow564]

Kokabow has a system to link a big dodger (5.5") to a smaller (3.5") dodger or "trolling blade" as they call them linked by a separate wire leader, might be worth trying that or linking 2 dissimilar sizes of other brands...

[@boba-mg5md]

Beautiful day thx

[@BUY_YT_VIEWS_m060]

This video should be on everyone's "Must-Watch" list. It's that good!

[@billyharville7721]

Super interesting

[@AKPakrat]

Just a thought... with the added drag wouldn't the "mo Flash" rig naturally run higher in the water column? Maybe a true test would be with downriggers set at the same depth? Another topic...Is it the light or the vibrations sent to the lateral lines especially at dept where there is so little available light? Keep up the awesome research!!!!

[@spiltmilt]

The drag is minimal enough I doubt it would make much difference plus most of the fish were deeper and that should have given the advantage to the less flash rig

[@snagrbuster7343]

Thank you, for another good video. Your "Title" for this video is, "Is more flash more better?"!! I think you meant to write, "Is more flash better?" I mean considering the basic grammar.

[@spiltmilt]

It was a purposeful use of poor grammar,

[@ClintFredenberg]

We were fishing LPO last summer with limited success. Switched up the rigs to Ford Fenders. I guess the more flashers meant more bites. We certainly got more bluebacks.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes LPO and Wallowa are both places where lake trolls seem to do better than elsewhere.

[@brandonjelinek8963]

Ok so if you bring a 3rd or 4th rod and put some heavy lead on them with just flashy things and no hook or dodger. 1. Is it legal. 2. Would it call fish in to the boat?

[@spiltmilt]

I thing as long as there are no hooks on that rod it isn't technically fishing so you should be legal. What is a downrigger but a short rod afterall? I do believe it will help attract fish to the boat.

[@JJ-tf2qs]

Good morning, My dad and I are heading to Grand Coullee in April. We're going to target Kokanee and hopefully get some walleye out of Rufus Woods. Do you have pointers on where to launch and fish Rufus? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

Kokanee are extremely rare in Rufus woods.

[@JJ-tf2qs]

@@spiltmilt walleye at Rufus

[@JJ-tf2qs]

Kokanee at Spring Canyon and Eyes @ Rufus.

[@spiltmilt]

The Walleye are mostly found from the net pens and up stream

[@JJ-tf2qs]

@@spiltmilt thanks!

[@kevinkompolt8033]

What rod do you like for heavy droppers? A couple of years ago you recommended the Paulina Peak rod but it doesn’t seem like they are carrying rods currently.

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

Really interesting. I might have to pick one up to test myself. I wonder how effective it would be if you were flatlining.

[@spiltmilt]

Might need to add a bit of weight. They def surf more

[@MrAcuta73]

Flash/"thump"/action/color all seem to have their time in the light on dodgers/flashers. On days fish are on the feed I don't feel it matters much, but days of scratch fishing finding that happy spot can make or break a day. In my experience, YMMV, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Edit: I did experiment with running a gang flash off my downrigger balls...no results I could measure. Maybe it helped, maybe it didn't. And it was definitely more of a pain in the butt to deal with.

[@kevinwaggy2656]

Those Mack's lure trolls aren't just for kokanne and trout... years ago I experimented with them on coho and chinook and work on them to....

[@FamilyNick]

Since this experiment, have you seen an increase in catch rate or bite action with the extra flash? Thanks!!!

[@spiltmilt]

Been running it on several trips. Too soon to say but the average is marginally higher on the more flash rig

[@FamilyNick]

@@spiltmilt thank you!

[@saltyguerrilla]

Fantastic experiment! What are your thoughts on running just flashers off a 3rd rod straight off the the stern? Just for the flash, letting the the lures have less drag.

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve often thought about this but worried about awkward conversations with law enforcement

[@saltyguerrilla]

@@spiltmilt ummm yes Jonny Law would like a word. Good point.

[@no_regerts5176]

Yeah, the one-time three-pole endorsement would probably be about $140.

[@Twood625]

Have you considered trying a triangle "no drag" flasher in front of your dodger? I've been thinking of trying that this year for kokanee/trout.

[@spiltmilt]

I've not but long ago I used to use small Kone Zone flashers with off set attachment points with hoochie spinners for Merwin Kokanee with great success.

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@WinnersMind67]

Hahaha “more better”. Sounds like an ESL student in high school. 😂😂😂

[@FamilyNick]

Awesome experiment! Very cool! Do you think the extra flashers would have an impact on the depth? Given they are increasing the drag? Maybe another experiment with your datalogger😁

[@spiltmilt]

Certainly possible although I can’t imagine these lite trolls doing much but metal blade lake trolls most certainly will

[@dustinrhodes1091]

Didn’t people used to use a couple sling blades in a row?

[@spiltmilt]

You can link any dodger together and they still work but its a lot of added drag

[@bigfootbows]

Where do I find these links you say that are “attached below” in your videos?

[@spiltmilt]

In the video description

[@captainsaveaho253]

Where do you launch from on Chelan, State Park or Old Mill Park?

[@spiltmilt]

Chelan SP or Manson

[@dshenry99]

Did you change your video setup? Great quality ...

[@spiltmilt]

Yes new cameras

[@fishingwithfoxxxy1371]

What would be a good rod for a dropper / planer board

[@micbarca9777]

If you were going to pick 10 of the best Paulina products foe a first timer, what would you suggest? I checked out the site and just got lost. Can afford to buy it all.

[@spiltmilt]

This should be a good starting point My Go To Kokanee Dodgers and Lure Combos kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYCZipWgir2lg68

[@micbarca9777]

@spiltmilt fantastic this is perfect. Have a limited budget and split time between salt and fresh so need to budget. Appreciate it!

[@whosyourcaddy]

Do you run typical medium light rods for 6oz droppers?

[@spiltmilt]

Med light composites are best suited most glass rods are underpowered and I don’t use pure graphite

[@Rando-h9d]

Is it more vibration at that depth? Paint one black and see what happens.

[@spiltmilt]

It’s lake Chelan there is almost certainly light available at that depth

[@IdahoOutdoorDad]

Are you running side scan or just down scan/sonar?

[@spiltmilt]

All of them

[@IdahoOutdoorDad]

@@spiltmilt ah. Debating on upgrading my cellphone/deeper pro sonar to a dedicated sonar with side scan.

[@cliffbz2301]

In the name of SCIENCE!!!

[@lunchbox5825]

#moflash

[@moniqueraymond1959]

What pedal kayak are you using?

[@spiltmilt]

Old Town Salty 120 PDL

[@Patrick-rj9oi]

How do you attach the weights to the line?

[@spiltmilt]

I use these snaps amzn.to/38c2tEz

[@rondeezy_thepancakeslayer1242]

You can also use a sliding swivel with a 5mm bead above and below it

[@AndyKunkel-rt9zs]

Well done!

[@saltywalrusfishingcompany]

Did you modify the Mack's rig? Photos on link show the front stabilizer blade like lake troll and didn't see that in your video

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I took the stabilizer off

[@saltywalrusfishingcompany]

@@spiltmilt that's what I thought. What color Mack's were you running in that video? I'd be running it with same dodger or moon jelly/pink from Paulina peak. Also what are your thoughts on running it separately attached to downrigger ball? I use pink fish shaped weight with glitter and see a ton of fish check that out before hitting lure