In the realm of fishing, certain techniques are considered standard, while others are seen as less traditional. One unique approach involves combining a flasher with a spoon in your fishing setup. While some anglers may opt for a dummy flasher with a cannonball or fish the spoon directly off the downrigger, the pairing of a flasher and spoon presents its own set of advantages. This discussion will delve into the versatility of flasher and spoon setups, exploring various ways the flasher enhances the action of the spoon.
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Enhancing Spoon Action:
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The spoon serves as an imitation of injured or frantic bait, luring fish to strike, while the flasher attracts fish towards the spoon. This combination proves particularly effective during seasons of scarce bait, such as winter and spring. Let's examine how the flasher enhances the spoon's action in different setups.
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Flasher In Line with Spoon:
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Positioning the flasher in line with the spoon adds subtle action, attracting fish through the reflected light spectrum and water vibrations. To prevent interference with the spoon's movement, anglers typically use long leaders, keeping the spoon a significant distance away from the rectangular flasher. A recommended starting point is a 72-inch leader length. Alternatively, a Delta Inline flasher, which spins like a propeller, provides greater flexibility in leader length and test strength, particularly suitable for narrow spoons with a 48-inch leader.
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Flasher Creating Whipping Action:
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The rectangular flasher generates a whipping action along the fishing line, giving the spoon additional movement. Visualizing the leader line as a skipping rope connecting the flasher and spoon, placing the spoon closer to the midpoint of the skipping rope increases the whipping action, causing the spoon to flutter distinctively. An effective leader length ranges from 48 to 60 inches, depending on the test strength of the leader line. Keeping the spoon as close to the flasher as possible maximizes the impact of the flasher's whipping action. Adjustments to the leader length may be necessary when using a stiffer leader line to transfer more action from the flasher.
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Engaging the Fish without the Drag:
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For an exhilarating battle with a fish, some anglers prefer a setup where the spoon is free from the drag caused by the flasher. This involves using a dummy flasher attached to the cannonball and fishing the spoon from the downrigger clip. Two crucial considerations in this setup are the distance between the flasher and the downrigger clip, and the distance of the spoon from the dummy flasher. A minimum gap of 3 feet is recommended to avoid entanglement. Experimenting with distances between 3 to 10 feet between the spoon and the dummy flasher is advisable. Placing the spoon too close to the flasher should be avoided to prevent overshadowing the spoon's allure. Effective distances range from 8 to 15 feet, depending on the size of the spoons used.
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Optimizing Your Experience:
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Both flasher and spoon setups have proven successful in catching salmon, lingcod, and rockfish. The trolling speed depends on the desired action of the spoon, typically ranging from 1.5 to 3 knots or a downrigger cable angle of 30 to 45 degrees. Spoons like the Gibbs Skinny G and Wee G pair well with an inline flasher, while spoons such as the Gibbs Needlefish and O'ki Titan are preferable behind a dummy flasher due to their heavier weight. By experimenting with both setups, anglers can determine their personal preference and optimize their fishing experience.
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Embrace the exploration of unconventional fishing techniques. The combination of a flasher and spoon offers a versatile and effective approach to attracting fish. Whether positioning the flasher in line with the spoon or creating a whipping action, or preferring a setup with a dummy flasher, these methods provide unique advantages for anglers. Experiment, adapt, and discover the perfect flasher and spoon setup that maximizes your success on the water.
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