Q&A: Sling Blade and Double D Tunability

This month's Question of the Month is a good one, as many of the Mack's Lure dodgers, including the Double D™ Dodger and Sling Blade™ are flexible, allowing the angler to manipulate their actions depending on fishing conditions.

How to Use the Double D Dodger

The Double D Dodger is best used at slow trolling speeds, which are between 0.8- to 1.6 mph. When using the Double D Dodger for any species, you can change the action by shortening your leader or attaching your snap swivel into one of the five holes located on the top of the dodger. This can only happen when you are using a maximum of two rods.

The patented five attachment points on the Double D Dodger serve as a side planer, which is designed to cover more water, which helps prevent tangles and pushes those lines away from the boat path.

If you are long lining from the stern of the boat, try flipping the dodger around and place your swivel in the middle hole of the dodger. This will create extra movement and action.

Please note that this can only be accomplished with a long line. Using the dodger this way when using a downrigger will create line tangles. Using two Double D Dodgers with an 11-inch leader between the two will also create added action. When in the water, the dodgers sway opposite of each other, causing the lure that have extra action.

Should you tune your Double D Dodger?

You can, yes. Many anglers have begun to bend their Double D Dodgers in each size, however correctly using the attachment points according to the decal diagram on the dodger itself is the best, most effective route to add action to your lure.

How to Properly Tune a Flexible Sling Blade

All nickel, non-painted or precious metal Sling Blade dodgers are flexible, meaning you can manipulate their action. When using the Sling Blade, you can bend it in any direction as needed to make it dodge more effectively at slower speeds. To do this, follow these steps:

• Use a 60-40 approach. Do not simply bend the dodger in the middle, as you don't want it to begin to roll like a paddle flasher. Start from the leader-side of the dodger and make a slight bend about 40 percent of the length of the dodger.
  
  
• When trolling at faster speeds, is not necessary — and is actually bad practice — to bend a Sling Blade Dodger.

As a rule of thumb, the shorter the leader, the more action you'll get out of the lure.