How Do Dodgers Attract?
Sound travels through water amazingly fast. Any object moving through the water produces sound waves. These sound waves travel through the water away from the object producing the sound, and these sound waves travel in all directions: sideways, upward, downward, backward and forward. As the attracting dodger travels through the water it gives off these sound waves, or vibrations. The type and frequency of these vibrations depends on the shape and size of the dodger and how fast it is trolled through the water. While humans have a range of frequencies the ear can detect, fish also have their biological tools for detecting sound waves and vibrations that humans cannot detect. As it turns out, fish are attracted to the sounds these attracting dodgers make. Selecting the correct attracting dodger sizes discussed in more detail in Kokanee University.
Color Is Not An INITIAL Attractor
Color does not produce any sound waves. However, color is critical to get the target fish to bite. FWG attracting dodgers are designed to combine the vital attraction with maximum use of color in an ultralight presentation. Color beads and spinners are color matched and integrated with the attracting dodger to present a more visible setup. Adding the color matching lure makes the presentation complete. The attracting dodgers with the extended beads and spinner when coupled with its matching lure give a brilliant color display of up to 16 inches. All that color and vibration yet still in an ultralight class.
Why The Different Sizes For The Attracting Dodgers?
It is generally accepted that smaller dodgers are used in early season and more shallow waters, while larger dodgers are considered most effective at deeper depths. Again, size and presentation speed are the critical factors. FWG attracting dodgers come in three sizes to allow you to maximize your targeting at depth strategy. These are designated as System 1, System 2 and System 3. Each size will attract fish at all depths in the water column.
FWG attracting dodgers combine correct fish attracting vibrations with bright, no fade colors. This is accomplished by the use of fluorescent ("UV') color pads on each side of the dodger and the use of no fade fluorescent and glow beads and "UV" spinners outside the dodger blade to extend the visibility of your presentation. The beads and spinner are carried on seven strand stainless steel wire that is nylon coated and tested to 20#. They add color and additional vibrations, but virtually no weight. Beads and spinner configurations are different for each attracting dodger.
Attractor Dodgers’ Differences, Sizes And Weights
Attractor Dodger |
Weight |
Surface Area |
Length |
Width: |
@ Widest |
@ Narrowest |
| System 1 | 3/8 oz. (10 gms.) | 3.2 sq. in. | 3.3" | 1.1" | 0.56" | |
| System 2 | 1/2 oz. (15 gms.) | 4.8 sq. in. | 4.6" | 1.1" | 0.38" | |
| System 3 | 5/8 oz. (18 gms.) | 5.5 sq. in. | 5.0" | 1.75" | 0.38" |
Attractor Dodgers’ Blade Description, Action And Primary Target Depths
| Attractor Dodger | Blade Description & Action | Primary Target Depth |
| System 1
Nickel |
This smallest of the FWG dodgers has 6 radical bends, terminating in a wicked water foil at the back. A subtle overall recurve to this blade gives it an offset front entry, allowing the rear foil to go back and forth | This blade is generally for more shallow depths and earlier season. It does exceptionally well at slow speeds typical of early season. However, this blade can be fished at deeper depths simply by increasing the presentation speed.
|
| System 2
Nickel
|
This is the standard blade. It is our offset recurve blade which has been the standard bearer of the FWG Tackle line for years. It was discovered that it produced even more vibrations by reversing the entry. The font end is now the larger end of the dodger. By reversing the entry point, the blade now produces a unique wobble, rotating from side to side, while imparting a strong and irregular whipping action to the rear. This translates into strong action for the trailing lure.
|
This blade is generally for any time after early season. It produces better action at speeds above 1.2 mph, but has been shown effective at lower speeds down to 0.8 mph. Ideally, troll this blade at 1.4 mph and higher. Work this blade comfortably down the water column to 70+ feet. Increase trolling speed with increased depth. |
| System 3 Nickel |
This is a very aggressive blade design. The narrow front is backward curved to a deep trough that then flares upward into a wide three lobed tail. The effect is akin to a variation of the trolled cut plug herring, which drive fish to strike aggressively. The blade travels through the water in a rotary plane that leads the trailing lure on a wide circular path. This is accomplished without added drag. The integrated bead chain swivel and 2 crane swivels prevent line twist. | This attracting dodger lends itself perfectly for deeper depths and for targeting larger fish. However, by lowering the trolling speed, the spinning rotation is lessened, and the dodger becomes well suited for targeting Kokanee at mid-season depths. For trout, this blade is effective at all depths. |
Courtesy Butch Gould, 38" Mackinaw, Payette Lake, Idaho, Using FWG System 2 Green Sparkle Setup
