Fish With Gary Tackle Co. Dodger Choices by Target Depth
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The following recommendations are based on typical water conditions found in waters holding healthy kokanee populations. There is no bright line separation between depth zones, and overlap should be considered in your choice of target depth strategy. As always, make certain that your lure is matched compatibly with your dodger. See chart Match The Dodger To The Correct Lure below.

  Target Depth Range: to 25 feet (35 feet North)
All SYSTEM 1 Dodgers
Diamond Thunder® Copper
    Pink Dodger
SYSTEM 2 Royal Pink Dodger
SYSTEM 2 Pink Stomper Dodger
Early season. Water clarity varies greatly, depending on spring storms and run-off. Kokanee tend to be more selective, and are beginning of their maturing cycle. Very soft mouths make tandem hooks essential. Generally 1.2 MPH give or take. Leader no more than 14 inches. Downrigger setback to 90 feet.
  Target Depth Range: 25 to 50 feet
All SYSTEM 2 Dodgers
Diamond Thunder® Copper
    Pink Dodger
ALL COPPER KING Dodgers
Mid-season. Water clarity has improved and become more stable. However, the plankton bloom is now able to kick in, which will then start to reduce light as you fish deeper in the water column. Kokanee are now growing at a healthy one inch per month, and are becoming less selective and more reactive in their bite. The kokanee stomach is almost bursting with plankton. Effective trolling at 1.2 to 1.5 MPH. Deeper target depth may require increased trolling to 1.7 MPH. Leader no more than 12 inches. Downrigger setback to 50 to 75 feet. Look for bite to cycle. Early morning to about 8:30 a.m., then taper off for an hour or two, when it picks up again, often with a change of color and/or scent. Look for the mid-morning bite to taper off, until mid to late afternoon, again with a change of color and/or scent. (Note: apex type lures mandate a longer leader of 30 inches and increased precise trolling speeds)
  Target Depth Range: 50 to 70 feet
All SYSTEM 3 Dodgers
SYSTEM 2 Darth Raider Dodger
SYSTEM 2 Purple Rage Dodger
COPPER KING Blue Dodger
COPPER KING Emerald Green Dodger
Diamond Thunder® Copper
    Pink Dodger
Reactive bite. Kokanee are quickly maturing, and feeding is mostly over. Light at depth is less than 10%. Glows essential to provide vital contrast with color. Larger dodgers preferred and faster trolling speeds (up to 1.7 MPH) to get your setup noticed. Short leader. Downrigger setback to 30 to 50 feet.
  Target Depth Range: Over 70 feet
All SYSTEM 3 Dodgers Kokanee are fully pre-spawn and their stomach content will be empty. Little or no light present at depth. The bite is strictly reactive. Larger dodgers with increased vibration and quality glows are a must. Most effective speed may increase to 1.8 MPH+. Short leader. Downrigger setback to 10-20 feet.

 

Match the Dodger To The Correct Lure

Always use a lure that matches the color scheme of the dodger leading it. Kokanee will first key in on the dodger (attraction). The dodger color scheme imprints the kokanee with a particular color sequence, which is best duplicated in the lure (provoking a strike).

  DODGER CHOICE   BEST LURE CHOICES
  System 1 Blue Dodger   Blue Star; Aqua
  System 1 Chartreuse Dodger   Caboose
  System 1 Mini Darth Dodger   Darth Raider
  System 1 Natural Glow Dodger   Radience; Deep Glow; Natural
  System 1 Orange Dodger   Orange Popsicle; Daphnia
  System 1 Pink Dodger   Pink Lady; Royal Pink; Pink Stomper
  System 2 Blue Dodger   Aqua; Blue Star
  System 2 Chartreuse Dodger   Caboose; Natural
  System 2 Darth Raider Dodger   Darth Raider
  System 2 Daphnia Dodger   Daphnia; Orange Popsicle
  System 2 Green Sparkle   Green Sparkle
  System 2 Hybrid Dodger   Hybrid Blue; Hybrid Pink
  System 2 Orange Dodger   Daphnia; Orange Popsicle
  System 2 Pink Stomper Dodger   Pink Stomper
  System 2 Purple Rage Dodger   Purple Rage; Royal Purple
  System 2 Royal Emerald Dodger   Royal Emerald
  System 2 Royal Pink Dodger   Royal Pink
  System 2 Royal Purple Dodger   Royal Purple; Purple Rage
  System 2 Watermelon Dodger   Watermelon
  System 3 Chartreuse Dodger   Caboose; Natural
  System 3 Mega Darth Dodger   Darth Raider
  System 3 Natural Glow   Natural; Deep Glow; Radiance; Aqua; Royal Glow
  Copper King Blue Dodger   Copper King Blue; Royal Blue; Royal Emerald; Blue Star; Hybrid Blue
  Copper King Diamond Thunder®
  Dodger
  Pink Thunder; Royal Pink
  Copper King Emerald Green Dodger   Copper King Emerald Green; Natural
  Copper King Pink Dodger   Copper King Pink; Royal Pink; Daphnia; Pink Lady

 

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