Cut-plug w/ or w/out flasher?

[Blue Water 23]

The responses to my other post about cut-plug herring varied so much that it seems to be personal preference on how to do it. There wasn't any definite answers like; "You want to be on the bottom until this depth", or "You want this many rolls per second", or "You want to bounce bottom every 3 seconds". The information was great but it varied and there wasn't any responses of a text-book way to do it. That shows that many different ways must work.

However, I do have a few questions that I would still like help with;

Do most people use flashers? 95% of my trolling has been in the ocean and I use the "Herring Dodgers" out there and they work great. Would those work or should I use a "Fish Flash"? Or a different kind?

I see people trolling right around me in the Columbia when I am anchored in 12-30 feet of water using kwickfish. Would they most likely be trolling the bottom, or are they going out a certain amount of pulls? If you were going to troll the bottom would you drag your weight on the bottom, bounce it every now and then, or would you keep your weight just off the bottom?

Do you use scent on your herring?

[Fish Hawg]

I run my herring without a flasher/dodger 90% of the time. If I use one I use a small chartreuse fish flash. I dont add scent; and I like to bounce bottomevery now and then. I us a 2' lead line with a 5' leader.I also add a bead swivel in the middle. Good Luck.....Ross

[Blue Water 23]

That's great information. Thanks for the help.

[Rodholder]

I agree with Fish Hawg. Seldom use any type of flasher on springers, dropper 22-24" but use longer leaders; 7-8 feet. I always troll with the current. Working so far, five fish on (3 in the boat) in five trips all on trolled herring. Good luck. :grin:

[Fishing Maniac]

My fishing partner's neighbor likes to run a spreader with a 2 foot lead line, 5 foot leader and a bead chain swivel in the middle. He will slide a #2 or larger silver red head spin-n-glow down on top of the bead chain swivel. This guy is a fishing god...limits almost every time he goes out. We tried this last year and it seemed to work pretty well...went 2 for 4 first time I tried it. Sounds like you have the basics down. I really think it's just a matter of putting in your time. Once you do that you're going hook your fair share of fish. Good luck when you go!