Since the bottom is almost always mud, I don't how much sound a ball would make (maybe fish could hear it), but there would have to be a nice cloud of mud kicked up. Maybe this kind of action simulates a fellow chinook feeding on candlefish and triggers a bite reflex. Nobody wants to be left out of the feeding frenzy, right?
SQ,
"Ringing the Dinner Bell" is used as a figure of speech. You were absolutely correct- make a little noise, kick up a little mud and trick Mr. Blackmouth into thinking your offering is a meal (although I doubt a Salmon can see the cloud at 150+ feet of water unless he is right on top of it) The ball does make a slight low frequency noise which will attract salmon from a distance...(flasher also) Then you want him to see the flasher and bait (glow colors) and then smell the offering. The best time to "ring" is when no bait or little bait is around. Another time would be as soon as a bottom dwelling Herring ball appears on the fish finder.
Candlefish on the fish finder will be spread out and within 5 feet of the bottom. They travel in loose knit schools parallel to the sea bed. If you zoom in, they almost appear as wavy weeds (best I can describe) along the bottom. With spoons, "Ringing" works well, because the gear stops and the spoon falls nearly consistent with a candlefish. When danger is present, a Candlefish dives at 60 - 75 degrees and digs into the sand/mud to escape. You'll know when salmon are feeding on Candlefish because their gills plates will be scratched from rooting the bottom.
You will notice that you "ring" more than you think. For example, if you are constantly
"feeling" for bottom like I do- that counts as a "ring." No need to drop the boat into neutral unless you are on a steady depth contour.
I like running a 48" release 2 feet above the ball. I add another 2 - 3 feet for the release after tightening the mainline. Then I keep the ball at 1' (or so) off the bottom. Adding this together puts me 5 - 8 feet. The main reason I always feel for the bottom is there are currents under water which can lift or pull the gear out of bottom 10 feet. (The sweet spot)
Weights... A round lead ball will softens and tend to stick to an object when it hits. The pancake type tends act as an anchor when flat. The tear drop has more surface area- less to hang on, hard and hollow- tends to bounce. As far as noise, all ball shapes make noise- just a low frequency in the sand and mud. Rocky areas... ring-a-ling-ling come and get it!
Just my Hawaiian .02
Downriggin'
Edited part....
Talk about slow connectivity.... 3 answers before mine popped on... Can't complain to much, at least I have internet
Dang it Spawn... you gave away the Glowmate secret... Shame on you!
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