Chasing the Pig

[SkunkedAgain]

So a question I have with set backs is how much does your lures drop from the ball to say a 50' set back?  I'm sure that depends on the lure, so probably no correct answer, but just looking for a ballpark idea?  For instance if you use a dodger and squid will it drop similar behind the ball as it does on the same line out the back of the boat... at the surface?  If that's the case I imagine they drop maybe 3-5' per 50' back depending on boat speed... So if the fish are between 30-40 foot deep we should run the ball at 30' and lure will drop into the center of the zone... does that sound correct???  Thanks J

I guess it depends on the dodgers being used and the length of the clip on the ball. In the early spring, fishing shallow, I have noticed that the smaller sling blades trail up from the ball. Fishing Jordanelle in the early spring with smaller slings, I have to put some split shot in front of the dodger to get it to not plane on the surface if the rigger ball is less than 11' or so down (long setbacks). Recently with 10' setbacks at 35', on lvs it looks like the dodgers (larger slings) are still a bit higher than the ball. Another factor is I use 18" cord seps rigger clips, which with the rods 'loaded' probably put the line axis at least a foot above the ball.

Then talk Kokabow dodgers that are a lot heavier and that probably changes everything - I have lots of kokabow dodgers but haven't looked at them on the scope recently. I know the kokabow dodgers don't plane on the surface without split shot when fished shallow.

While I am out fishing, I try not to overthink it. I put the ball down to where I think the fish should be, use the electronics and adjust until I'm successful and then use the rigger counter to put me back there for the next fish. The electronics show me that the fish will move up or down much farther than I ever thought if they like the dodger you have on.

Good points and kind of what I've always practiced in the past... Drop it to where it looks like you should be, then adjust slightly up and down until you catch fish and then return to same spot for the next one... I guess with some practice you'd get better at knowing your gear better so I think I'll write a prescription that I need to spend more time on the water to figure it out better...  Later J