Dodger and Flasher Tips
Krippled Herring Dodger and Jim Gilbert Dodger
Dodgers affect different lures in different ways, depending on the lure type. Some lures create their own action, while others rely on a dodger or flasher to come alive. Knowing what kind of lure you're using is essential for determining the correct leader length.
For example, all Krippled bait rigs are active lures—they generate their own motion and do not require a dodger or flasher to function. However, both dodgers and flashers can still enhance the performance of an active lure. On the flip side, hoochies and vinyl non-swimming lures are considered non-active and depend heavily on dodgers or flashers to attract fish.
Dodger Bending
- To increase action at slower troll speeds: bend the rear of the dodger upward.
- To reduce spin at higher troll speeds: bend the front of the dodger downward.
Leader Length
Two essential rules to remember when selecting the correct leader length:
- Slower troll = shorter leader, faster troll = longer leader
- Action lures = longer leader, non-action lures = shorter leader
Lure Leader Length Chart
All leader lengths in this chart are a multiple of the dodger or flasher blade length. Example: 4X = 4 times blade length. So if your dodger is 10" long, a 4X leader would be 40".
| Troll Speed | Action Lure | Non-Action Lure | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodger | Flasher | Dodger | Flasher | |
| 1.5 – 2 knots | 2 – 4 X | 2 – 4 X | 1.5 – 2 X | 2 – 2.5 X |
| 2 – 2.5 knots | 2 – 5 X | 3 – 5 X | 2 – 3 X | 2.5 – 3.5 X |
| 2.5 – 3 knots | 3 – 5 X | 4 – 6 X | 2 – 4 X | 3 – 5 X |
| 3 – 3.5 knots | 4 – 5 X | 4 – 8 X | 3 – 4 X | 4 – 6 X |
Slasher Flasher Tips
Line Twist
Flashers offer great action, but they come with a few drawbacks:
- More drag on your gear
- Cannot be bent like dodgers for fine-tuning
- Larger fish can stretch or distort their action over time
- 360° rotation can cause line twist and tangles
To help reduce line twist, use high-quality ball bearing swivels on both ends of your flasher. However, if your fishing line doesn’t provide enough resistance, the swivels may not function properly and the line will still twist up.
Best solution: Add a 2-foot length of heavier monofilament ahead of your flasher, with ball bearing swivels at both ends. This gives the swivels something to bite into and reduces twist dramatically.
