Planer Boards

[LocalGuide]

I was thinking about buying some planer boards this summer and was wondering what brand works best? And does it attach directly to your line?

Also how do you guys normally fish these things? And what do you use? Im thinking about mainly using it for cranks but im sure there is more.

Thanks

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AKA PikeEye 300

[PerchJerker]

I have 4 Off-Shore boards and like them. I have a couple set up with the strike indicator flag and a couple with just the regular flag. They attach directly to the line. Having rod holders in your boat is a must.

My biggest complaint is the clips don't hold Fireline very well, and I don't troll with mono anymore. I give the Fireline a "double wrap" which usually works OK. I've heard that the Roach boards hold onto Fireline better but I've never tried them myself.

I usually flat-line cranks or minnow baits behind my boards. I have pulled snap weights and dipsy divers behind them, and have pulled crawler harnesses with big spinners.

I like trolling boards a lot. Sometimes I run them off both sides of the boat to cover more water, or to make it easier to fish more than 2 lines. Sometimes I troll a contour and use a board to either run a bait up in shallow water, or to pull a bait through deeper water. Sometimes I use them to reach out to shallow or suspended fish. I've had a lot of fun and some good success with boards.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

[FishinFix]

The Gary Roach boards are alot better. I had one of those yellow boards, I think it was the off-shore brand, and I lost it all the time. With the Roach board, I don't have any problems.

[LocalGuide]

Thanks for the info so far.
Also I will be using superlines like powerpro.
Anybody else got a board that they like or dont like?
Any info will help.
Thanks

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AKA PikeEye 300
And keep those hooks sharp!

[GudeMN]

I've been experimenting with boards the last few summers. This past summer I went to the U.P. with a friend from the area and got real lessons on pulling boards. Those guys up there rely on them a lot. The most important thing I found is to use a long soft rod, preferably a fiberglass one. The slow action of the glass absorbs the shock from waves and changes in direction that tend to pop the line (fireline or mono) from the releases.

Had lots of luck with the boards up there. It was fun having the three of us running six boards off the sides of the boat (2 lines per fisherman). We were able to cover the water vertically and horizontally and did very well at establishing a pattern. Just be patient and don't give up on them too soon.

[walleyewacker]

Offshore is the way to go with the tattle flag. You should have no problem with line popping out if you double wrap no matter what line you use. The flag upgrade is a must if you might run into little fish or if you are fishing real shallow and get caught up. Offshore boards work alot better at slower speeds as well if you use them real early in cold water.

[N_Foster]

This might be a stupid question, but what is the purpose of planer boards?? Is it mainly used just to get the lure away from the noise and shadow of the boat??

[LocalGuide]

Yep

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[Mike Walerak]

Planer boards carry your line to the side of the boat. The two reasons why one would want to do this are: 1. to get you line away from the boat to avoid spooking fishin shallow/clear water and 2. To cover more water by using more lines. I have set as many as six boards out at a time and covered 100 feet to each side of the boat.
When running numerous boards it can be a trick to pulling in a fish from the outside line with out tangling the other lines. The best way that I have found is to let the inside lines free spool so that they just fall back away from the boat. Once you are up and running again you can just leave the amount of line that is already out or you may have to reel in some to get the boards the desired distance away from the boat. These will now be your outside lines. Then set out the line that the fish was caught on the inside.
For the most part one usually runs a board to each side of the boat to save on the headaches that come from running multiple boards. They take a little getting used to but are very simple once you do it for an hour or two.
Normally I pull cranks with boards, but I have pulled leadcore with spinners with some success.
I don't use superlines on my boards often. I would reccomend going to the red clips for the offshores. I take my back clip off and add it to the front one. This keeps the board from falling off and it is easier to take off when fishing alone.
I realize I said some of the same things that otehr people have so I appologize. Once I get going it is hard for me to quit.
mw

[This message has been edited by Mike Walerak (edited 04-02-2004).]