How far back

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Morgan_ warthog
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Species: Salmon
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How far back

Post by Morgan_ warthog »

Looking for opinions on distance from the ball for salmon.
I've had pretty good luck running spoons far back behind my down rigger ball and away from the boat (60 plus feet). I guess I just assumed they where boat shy and I've done well with leadcore way back there so it made sense but I hear some guys running close to the ball even when fishing high in the water column. Does it make any difference?
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Reelax
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Species: Salmon, steelhead, brown trout
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Re: How far back

Post by Reelax »

Right now 10 down and 10 back can be a killer set. Cheaters run 2-3 back off the main line above the release get hit harder that the main for the last 3 trips.

When salmon are active the tight bite can’t be beat. You also get better hookups with less line to stetch @strike.

Saturday we had a salmon take a cheater thT was running 4’ down and 3’ back in sight looking down at the transom . He skyrocketed right out the lake 5 ft off the transom on his 1st jump then tore of 50ft of line to start the fight. Precious

Ps we also ran bling and those 2 riggers out fired the tigers 2 to 1… same thing that makes them hit short setbacks will make them attracted to bling…

Good luck!
Matt B
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Morgan_ warthog
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Re: How far back

Post by Morgan_ warthog »

Wow I thought that's what you said Saturday but I thought I must have heard wrong. Seems crazy they'd hit rite near the prop wash. I cant wait to get back out there and try this! Tight lines!
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Crayfish
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Re: How far back

Post by Crayfish »

I couldn't get hit close on my main line on Saturday, but the cheaters that were 5-7' down and 4' back were getting hit regularly. In fact, the cheaters were our most productive setups. We had one nice salmon jump right in the prop wash after smacking the cheater that was ~7' down. What a blast!

Good luck out there! Those extra lures in the water will make all the difference in the world.
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Morgan_ warthog
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Species: Salmon
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Re: How far back

Post by Morgan_ warthog »

Mind blown! I'm mostly self tough when it comes to trolling and I've been happy with my success but part of the addiction is knowing there is so much more to learn.
Thanks guys
rfern77
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Re: How far back

Post by rfern77 »

I am fairly new at this as well so please forgive my ignorance. Is this the technique working right now because it’s not the dog days of summer and the the thermocline has not set up yet with the warm water temps? I assume so but again, I’m just trying to educate myself. Thanks in advance
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Crayfish
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Re: How far back

Post by Crayfish »

"Cheaters" work all through the season. The only difference is that they will keep getting deeper as you run your main line deeper. There are 2 types of cheaters :

Fixed cheaters that are held in place either by a rubber cheater clip, a rubber band half-hitched around the main line or something like an Alberta clipper. These are typically pinned in place 3-10' above the main line release, depending on your setup. If you are running blades, you'll want the cheater close above the blades. If running clean, then I tend to space them to try to find the active fish.

Sliding cheaters are just clipped around the main line with a clip or snap swivel and will find the natural bend in the line and ride there. I set my rigger to the depth I want and then clip on the cheater to my main line and throw it overboard. I generally assume these are 1/2 way between the ball and the boat. These are what we were catching fish on this past Saturday with the rigger at 12-15', so the cheater was 6-7' down.

Good luck!
Whitey
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Re: How far back

Post by Whitey »

Can I ask if there is a specific cheater that works better than a Harry’s? Thanks
Whitey
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Re: How far back

Post by Whitey »

Can I ask if there is a specific cheater that works better than a Harry’s? Thanks
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Reelax
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Re: How far back

Post by Reelax »

Any spoon will work for a cheater. Harry’s is not one of my 1st choices. I usually only use them when nothing else has worked. DBsmelts as cheater have been hit all spring, hard.
Good luck
Matt B
Whitey
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Re: How far back

Post by Whitey »

Thank you relax a bout Harry’s. Yup use swivels on both end of cheaters -right! Probably a stupid question 🤔
striper192001
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Re: How far back

Post by striper192001 »

Actually what I have learned from these guys is using a snap swivel (ball bearing) that is attached to the line. The other end use a small clip, not sure on size but I think they are 30 lb but smaller the better. Too much hardware is not a good thing. I use 10 lb fluorocarbon for my leaders.
Whitey
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Re: How far back

Post by Whitey »

Thanks guy’s appreciate the info
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