That I just dont know... I thought the same thing a while back that if there is a surface feeding type predator fish, I wouldnt see where maybe a small version (say a 3 or 4 inch type bird) could work. Should do the same thing, draw attention to the bait and simulate a small school or fish trying to flee. My guess for freshwater would be to slow down the speed v.s. the speed used for saltwater fish, maybe run 3-5 mph v.s. running 5-8 mph.
I wouldnt know what to use for the trailer, unless a clark spoon works on freshwater rock fish.. might be an idea to kick around with Junkie and Hotspot as they have the most experience with inland tactics. Maybe a shad type bait??
Anything is possible.... wouldnt hurt to try a small bird with a trailer bait about 2-3 ft back from the bird... a school of bait fish is bait fish right??!
I do know that some freshwater fishers, trollers, use smaller versions of dredge teasers/rigs such as this:
so I dont see where a bird type rig couldnt work for trolling freshwater. Just have to have the right color combo's and target surface feeding predators.