Civano...too funny because I was thinking about sharing that on this post. I guess I have to now. Here is a picture of the (prototype) "Super Release Dodger" that never went to market. I saved my last one (before I lost it) and made my own copies once Wayne changed the pattern and no longer made these originals. The prototypes were 2 feet long and made of a heavier gauge brass...they moved quite slowly back and forth, even when trolled fast.
Back in the day you would never see me not fishing one of these on the same side of my boat. I only got away from using them when the Mackerel showed up quite often and made the extra worked required to use these dodgers a pain in the butt. More recently the fish have been deeper than they used to be In Sooke and that also makes using them more work. I have used one again for the first time in years this year and last, but only on rare occasions. I had it out in Nootka for a couple of days at Burdwood...and did well.
CIVANO---does this picture bring back memories? 49 1/2 pounds (2nd largest on my boats) on the very gear shown... June 7th, 1991... 40 feet down, super release, chartreuse anchovie special at Oter Point. I have you playing this fish on video as well. The last year I fished from my 17 Double Eagle and then bought the Seasport.
For fun I went through that summer journal (1991) and looked for all the over 30 pound fish, this gear caught. I could only find 3 more over 30 that came from the typical flasher setup which was fished on the other side of the boat. Here is the list.
SOOKE FISH
Joe Milligan 49 1/2 pounds 40 feet, Otter Pt June 7th
Ken Snyder 35, 30 pounds 35 feet Otter Pt June 12th
Brian Stewart (larger than Joe's 49 1/2) lost it at boat after 40 minutes Otter Point June 13th only mentioned this one as I think this was the largest fish I've ever had on my gear...my guess mid 50's...I had Joe's recent fish to mentally compare with a week before too
Jim Marsh 36 pounds 44 feet Sheringham Pt June 16th
Jeff Manning 42 pounds 35 feet Otter Pt June 17th
Michael Chaing 32 pounds 40 feet Sheringham Pt June 27th
Colin Creighton 44 pounds 35 feet Sheringham Pt June 30th
Ken Snyder 35 1/2 pounds 52 feet Secretary Isl July 1st
Brad Lavoie 35 1/2 pounds 30 feet Otter Pt July 6th
Ashmal Khan 35 pounds 40 feet Otter Pt July 7th
Greg Capito 32 pounds 35 feet Otter Pt July 9th
Chuck Ashby 30 pounds 30 feet Otter Pt July 11th
Myself 30 1/2 pounds 20 feet Possession Pt July 12th
BAMFIELD FISH
Myself and Bob Jackman 40, 33 pounds Whittlestone Pt (Bamfield) July 31st
Myself and Bob Jackman 39 pounds 20 feet Whittlestone Pt Aug 1st
Dereck Arnold 38, 30 pounds 30 feet Brady's Beach (Bamfield) Aug 10th
Derek Arnold 38 pounds 30 feet Brady's Beach Aug 11th
Derek Arnold 30 pounds 30 feet Brady's Beach Aug 12th
Colin Creighton 33, 32, 30 pounds 25-30 feet Brady's Beach Aug 13th
Tom Morrison 33 1/2 pounds 25 feet Brady's Beach Aug 14th
Tom Morrison 35, 30 pounds 25 & 30 feet Brady's Beach & Beale Aug 15th
SOOKE FISH
Dale Baker 32 1/2 pounds 40 feet Possession Pt Aug 22nd
Civano I think it worked very well and proves that large springs don't shy away from larger gear....I think the fact it moved slowly made all the dfference...I think it looked like another big spring was in the area if anything.