In a recent article in SportFishing Magazine, Doug Olander made mention of using a dredge teaser for chinook while trolling in B.C. He hooked a ballyhoo dredge off his downrigger ball, ran his cut plug just above and behind the teasers. Stated that 7 of the 8 fish they hooked came behind the teaser.



http://www.trophyteasers.com/Default.aspx?tabid=963

I had a similar idea a couple of years ago, but never gave it a try. I'm broke, or I'd buy one. I'm still thinking of making my own.

My question: Has anyone else tried this?

VHawk

No, you would spent more time picking seaweed out of it than fishing with it. Especially if you fish inland waters, might make a nice wind chime though.

What size rod and line would you have to use to troll that around?

i think i was talking to kid sauk about doing this, it seems like a cool concept but like Hatch said...it would collect tons of kelp

It's clipped to the downrigger ball. I'm not sure what the answer is to the kelp issue. Somehow Doug Olander got around that, his little sidebar didn't discuss how though. Of the whole article the sidebar was the best part, and it didn't go into that much detail.

I still like the concept.

I have looked at those in the Melton catalog for years. I am sure it would help- way more realistic than a flasher. The only reason I never pulled the trigger is price. Even the small one is expensive. I doubt grass would be much of a problem, no more so than the ball itself anyways. The attraction comes from the mylar and obvioulsy weeds aren't going to interfere with that. I would think, if anything, it would actually catch more stuff that would end up fouling you bait. I thought it would be fun to rig your own out of a bunch of B2 squids for a hootchie also.
Post up with the results- I am interested.

JTD,


If I make one, are you interested in giving it a try? I think I could fabricate one for probably 60-80 dollars.

I have attempted to come up with these for some time with varying success....

Everything from BIG pop gear between the downrigger ball and clip to additional flashers, fish flash, etc.

I think a small one of these could work great in a few of my favorite spots... HMMM.

I knew a guide that use to clip several flashers on his downrigger cable when fishing Sockeye in B.C. . He claimed it drew schools to the boat.

It seems to me that this is a similar attracting concept.

I wonder if a large gang troll like a Ford Fender would do the same as Doug O's Ballyhoo?

It would be a lot less expensive.

You mean you want me to buy it? Maybe... I think we can do it for less though- I'll PM you what I had in mind.

I've seen those is several catalogues here and there, and from what I've been told they're designed for a specific type Atlantic fishing.

However, there are an interesting & attractive concept and I'll let you, our resident gear researcher, handle the cost and effort of figuring out if they work.

I can tell you one thing though. I'd hate to have to untangle one.

We regularly use fish flash's ganged up on the downrigger ball, then use a double stacker downrigger release above the ball, one clip on the cable, the other attached to a herring positioned above the gang of flashers. Been doing it for years. Beats the hell out of fighting small sivers with flashers on. All you end up with is a BB swivel between you and the fish.

It doesn't look as cool as the thing you showed, but it certainly produces.

seems like it would work in the ocean out of Westport or Astoria. Not alot of gunk out there.

My cousin and I were in Ft. Lauderdale Florida in Feb. and came across these at the Bass Pro Shop there. He said he uses them for Marlin, Tuna and Sailfish trolling. He's got a Luhrs 32' offshore boat and does the Bluefin and Marlin tournaments on the east coast. Those are real spendy! He says they work well ! He's moving to Ft Pierce and will be fishing with him when he's settled in.

I tried to find one online yesterday, with no success...would be hoot to try on clear water days out on the Sound...a.k.a. no seaweed or jelly fish..

they are designed for stripers....specifically the jaggered ones

Oh no I don't want you to buy anything. I'm just looking for someone who's adventurous enough to give this a try. I was asking for a seat on your boat and I'll bring along the experimental stuff.

Vince

We can probably work that out there VHawk. Of course I am always ready to test something new. Check your PM

"I was asking for a seat on your boat"

Wow - I am impressed. That boat hoin' technique sets the bar high, VHawk.

The dredge does look like it would attract some notice from the fish but it has way too many moving parts for my patience. It will be interesting to hear the test results though.

Those things are commonly used from New York to Florida, I believe usually for big Tuna. I've seen them used, they look like a contraption waiting to tangle, but somehow they do get out, untangled and attrack the fish. Last year when I was laid up I kept reading about them, and looking at them online, and dreaming about how to use them here. The goofy dude Tred Barta uses them all the time. I've seen them on Ebay quite a bit and various tackle stores with an online store, mostly in the Carolinas and Florida. I think Sekiu is the place they would work the best. Be kinda fun to try. I'll try anything, well fishing related, at least once.