Slide sinker/planer boards

[Creek Kid]

I was thinking about investigating planer boards this year and in snooping around I ran into a "slide sinker" or "side sinker" at Fleet Farm. These were cheaper (and smaller) than planer boards and seemed to do the same thing as far as taking your bait away from the boat. If I just want something to keep in the boat and use once in awhile, this seemed to be the ticket for $6. Anyone using these?

[Surface Tension]

Is it a slide diver your talking about?
Something like a Dipsy diver with the difference being the slide diver isn't attached like the dipsy. The mainline slides through the slide diver then clamped into position. This allows you to use greater lengths between the diver and lure.

Do search in the BWCA/Duluth/Range forum for more about Dipsys

[Creek Kid]

One model is called a slide diver, one is a called a big slick or slick diver(?) they both have a dial with port and starboard with degrees. I just thought these may be handier (and cheaper) than planer boards as they don't take up much room. Just cuious if anyone was familiar with using them. They were $5.99 and the cheapest planer boards I saw were $15.99.

[Surface Tension]

I'm very familiar with them. Yes they are directional but their main function is to dive. Set the dial to 3 and it will dive and run off the the side of the boat. If I had to guess the down and out angle set at 3 I'd say at a depth 20' you'd be off to the side by 10' so no they won't replace a planner board.

[This message has been edited by Surface Tension (edited 08-31-2004).]