Which planer board???

[Jose]

I know this has been discussed before...but what do most people prefer? The large offshore boards off of a mast or the small inline boards? I have a mast and boards...just trying to decide if I want to go to the inlines before I mount the mast. Any preferences???

Jose`

[FROGMAN]

It will really depend on a couple different factors. First what style of boat do you have, and what length is it?
Second, what type of fishing do you mainly do, and where?

If for instance you have a larger boat, and predominantly fish on Lake Erie where you will be trolling a lot then you will most undoubtedly want to use the mast/tow board system. This will also allow you to troll more lines for the larger amount of people usually on board a large boat.

If on the other hand you have a smaller boat, and don't spend much time trolling, the smaller boards would work better for you. If you still troll a lot with a smaller boat the mast/tow board system may still be the better way to go, you'll just have to decide for yourself.
Tight lines'


Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Jersey John]

I have an 18' boat and have both the mast system and in-lines. This gives me the ability to do either or if need be. I like the in-lines for calm water and the mast for rougher water. Have both you can't be it. JJ

[SLIPKNOT]

I used to have the mast system and in my opinion, the system is junk compared to inline boards in any situation, except for muskie or very large fish.

[Water Dog]

We use the mast system with great success for coho and jack chinook on Lake Michigan and for Walleyes on Erie . Six or more in-lines are always aboard because sometimes they are easier to use and can be run side by side or one behind the other . The latter is not an option with a mast system .
Mast systems take up more room and that fact alone eliminates them from many boats .
Personally , I like not having to fight in-line boards with the light lines we use in the spring .
Both have there pros and cons .
Water Dog

[Dean Novak]

Before the Offshores were on the market. I fished 4 to 5 days a week on lake Michigan for trout and salmon. I manufactured large boards for fishing with a mast. I sold aprox. 50 sets a year. Many charter boats on the east shore of lake Michigan ran my boards in the late 80's and early 90's. Although my fishing style has changed over the past 10 years somewhat, I prefer the Offshore boards to anything else. They are very versitile in the many ways they can be rigged. They take up very little space in your boat. This makes it very easy to be prepared for any situation. I have used them in situations when we had 4 to 7 ft seas without a problem. If you troll for walleyes as much as trout and salmon I would opt for the Offshores. If you have ever had a chance to go to a walleye tournament it is no accident that 75 to 80 percent of the boats run Offshore boards.
just some food for thought.

Dean Novak NPAA #147

[rmitchel]

I have been trying to learn as much as I can about trolling this spring. I have looked at the mast systems (in catalogs), but have been confused about them.

I really am not sure how they work. I assume that boards are still pulled with the mast system, but that the boards break away completly from the rods.

How many lines can you put on the mast? I thought just one on each side, put perhaps not.

I considered a mast that fits in the front seat base. Any thoughts on this? It seems like it would not take up a great deal of room then.

Thanks so much for your input.

[Juls_WI]

>I really am not sure how they work. I assume that boards
>are still pulled with the mast system, but that the boards
>break away completly from the rods.

>XXXXX The boards used with the mast system are much larger than the inline boards. With the mast system there is one board that goes out on each side of the boat. Your lines are then attached to the main line with special releases that slide down the line until you stop them. I've seen some run 6 or more lines out each side.
When a fish hits, and the fish isn't big enough to pull the line out of the release, you just give it a quick "flip of the wrist" and pop the line out of the clip, so you can reel in the fish.
With the inline boards, the board is attached to your fishing line, and stays on until you reel it back in close enough to take it off, and then you reel in the fish.

>How many lines can you put on the mast? I thought just one
>on each side, put perhaps not.

>XXXXX Yes, there is one main line out each side, but you can have several fishing lines attached to the main line off each side. State regulations will dictate how many lines you can use of course..;-)

>I considered a mast that fits in the front seat base. Any
>thoughts on this? It seems like it would not take up a
>great deal of room then.

XXXXX I can't tell you which mast system to buy since I use inline boards and not the mast system. I have been on charter boats on Lake Erie that have used the mast system, but for the kind of fishing I do, I prefer the inline boards.

Before buying either, go out with someone that uses the mast system and then go out with someone that uses the inline boards. They are two totally different processes, but are both effective, and you will have the chance to decide which presentation works best for you and your style of fishing.

If you go to www.walleyecentral.com/riviera.htm you can view the boards and masts offered there. If you order Off Shore's Free Newsletter, the "Off Shore Release", you will find good information on using both systems. The paper is free, and Jeanne from Off Shore is pretty quick in getting the papers out to folks that order it online.
You've still got some time to research, so before you spend a lot of money, make sure you choose the system that will work best for you.

Good luck!

Juls

[Sparky]

Follow the suggestions to hitch a ride with people using both systems. I would also suggest starting with the inline boards. I have Church boards, Offshore, and a Big Jon Dual Reel mast system. The Offshore boards get the most use. I try the Church boards occasionally looking for an edge in different types of water and baits. the Church clips hold well but, you must monitor their condition carefully as the coating will wear and damage your line if you don't catch it in time. The mast system is best for four or more lines per side. I rarely run that many off the boards. I've ran up to fourteen lines off my boat and the most planer lines I usually run are six. With six or less I'll stick with the inline boards. You lose fewer fish and there's constant tension on the bait. The best setup is whatever works for you. If you enjoy running it and you catch fish it's the best for you. I enjoy the various techniques involved with catching fish and usually let my family do most of the reeling. After you settle on a favorite planer board setup, keep experimenting. That is a large part of the fun!