Fish Flasher for Stripers?

[tufnik]

When trolling we kayakers don't put out a lot of lines out (e.g., via planer boards) like the charter boats do. So we're at a bit of a disadvantage.

So how can we increase our chances? I'm wondering....would a fish flasher help us catch more stripers? This may be a dumb idea for stripers, but it sure works for salmon fisherman. I have never heard of or seen it being used for stripers, so maybe I'm barkin' up the wrong tree.

If you want see one, go to Cabelas web site here:
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/searc...h-All+Products

[tufnik]

From Big Al's Tackle Company's web site:

"...Today, tens of thousands of anglers swear to the effectiveness of the Fish Flash® to improve their catch, not just for salmon, but for any species of fish anglers troll to catch: Kokanee, Trout, Steelhead, Pike, Walleye, Halibut, Surface Game Fish and others!"

[DOGFISH]

Who knows, give it a try. You could be a trend setter. I know that I rely on the rattles in my crankbaits. I am sure the fish sense them from a distance in the bay, as well with flash. There is not much clarity in bay water. As far as the flashers go, you can see a flash for quite a distance, as with menhaden. If you have ever fished a spoon near the surface, it is the same type of thing. Your lure or bucktail will then follow the flasher.

Many kayakers don't fish spoons. This may be for the same reason as not using cranks, ability to maintain speed. You need a constant speed for spoons or for crankbaits. Otherwise, your lures are only working properly for a fraction of the time, while at the proper speed. The peddle boats are a better choice for maintaining speed. I prefer an electric motor. Its only a personal preference. I can be doing other things better if not on the peddles. A constant speed is one concern you will have with flashers. They only will be working properly while maintaining the optimum speed.

For the paddle guys, there is probably no better bait than the bucktail or the suspending crankbait. These baits work well at varied speeds. As any bass fisherman knows, occasionally stop your bait and a trailing fish will strike out of instint. Add a live minnow to your bucktail and it is deadly. When the speed slows the minnow will still entice a strike. As with any lure, if you give a fish too long to look at the lure the fish may not bite. Most lures just entice a strike, given a brief glimps of the lure. These are just a few of the things that I have noticed over the years. They seem to make sense, and some of the old timers seem to go along with these theories.

I know with my larger crankbaits, when I put them in the water, I lose about 3/4 to 1 mph off my speed indicated on the GPS. If large lip crankbaits do that, a flasher is really going to affect your speed and your ability to maintain your speed. If the flasher is not working properly, in an erratic fashion, it is not going to be as effective. You will need to maintain your speed. Hey, I would give it a try.

Good luck, hope this helps.

[Memory Maker]

Sorry Dogfish ........ I totally disagree ......... spoons actually work better, like any lure when it is worked in an erratic fashion ......... most of the jigging lures are only spoons worked erratically ......... when trolling spoons, I usually have better luck when I pump the spoon and many strikes come on a turn when the spoon is dropping ..........

Most of the time a trolled spoon is worked to cover distance so you put it out and go back to your beer ........

Look guys ........ stripers are some of the dumbest fish ....... hardest part of catching them is finding them ........... the more hurt the prey looks the faster it's swallowed ........

Haven't tried it so I guess we'll find out which theory is correct this year ......

BTW ......... I bought several while I was in Seattle to try this year ........ was going to be my secret weapon this year .......

[DOGFISH]

...but that is simply adding action to your lure as you are moving. There is always the chance of a fish hitting a spoon as it flutters to the bottom, but again that would be more like jigging and not trolling. If a spoon is trolled right, the erratic action is controlled by the speed of the vessel. You then will cover more area efficiently. When trolling in a turn you are still maintaining good speed, as least I do. The vessel may be somewhat slower but you are still maintaining speed, and the optimum action is there. Even though the vessel is moving slower, the water action on the lines and lures are moving them at a good speed, such as current in a stream. One of the best ways to tell if your spoon is working properly when trolling is by the motion of your rod tip. If the rod tip is not moving properly and bobbing, then even in a turn, I will speed up to maintain the action. That is why alot of boat anglers will pick up spanish mackerel in a turn. When trolling I try to cover as much water as possible, with the lure moving at the optimum speed. That formula generally equals fish, at least for me.

[Tucked In]

The tackle store over here on the shore stocks them, I guess I had a weird look when I picked one up cause he said that it may seem strange but they really work, you put it in front of the lure and set the light pattern which mimics fish.
I just cant see spending $20 yet.

[DOGFISH]

There is no question they do work. They also add action to your trailing lure.

[tufnik]

They're on sale at Cabelas, 7-10 bucks depending on size and brand.

What do you think, 2-3 ft in front of the crankbait, bucktail, etc.?

[Memory Maker]

Dogfish ........ guess we troll differently ........ and the reason Macks are caught on a turn is because there is a loss in tension so the spoon tends to slow, flutter and when the tension catches the spoon shoots then levels out ......... that flutter is what gets them to strike just as an injured baitfish fluttering draws a strike ........

[DOGFISH]

We do troll differently. Macks like speed.

[Memory Maker]

...... I know ....... caught on a turn

[DOGFISH]

Caught a few of those myself.

[Redfish12]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Fishing/Fishing-Accessories|/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105749280/Shasta-Sling-Blade-Dodger-150-Standard/703717.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbarga in-cave-fishing-fishing-accessories%2F_%2FN-1102777%2FNs-MIN_SALE_PRICE%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat105591780%253B cat105740280%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat1055 91780%3Bcat105740280%3Bcat105749280

These are on sale and look like a spoon. Probably put a fly or something light back there to cut down on drag? I considered it, more vibration, more flash... all good things.

[ictalurus]

guess we troll differently

I always thought it would be fun to do a parody of MC Hammer's "This is the Way We Roll" about trolling. Sadly, I can't rap.

[Redfish12]

We do troll differently. Macks like speed.

Truth. I have caught them on the fly, but only when I put the rod under my armpit and striped with both hands. Flash and speed seem to be the ticket for them.