I am thinking of adding this setup to my 21 foot proline and want to know what everybody thinks is the best. I would be using them for walleye and salmon so have opted for a mast and boards instead of inlines due to being able to pull dipsies with it. I have seen the riveara setup and think it looks good. Any suggestions?? Thanks Chad

You can't beat a Big Jon setup. A lot stronger and longer lasting. I have one for sale if your interested.

Well I am still debating with myself on what type but yes I you may spark my interest. What do you want for it?? Thanks Chad

TO THE TOP

Hi,
I have Designed a Triple Board that you can pull Dipsys off of.They will be Folding.if your interested E-Mail snagged43@yahoo.com.They will pull harder than Double Boards but you will need it.











May I be fishing somewhere Tomorrow.

For Salmon I want the release off the boards. I also like it for walleye but I use the inlines because of the control they offer. I cary both. I waves I run the inlines because I hate fighting the boards,
><<<<*> Looney Tunes

SO WOULD A MAST BE A BAD INVESTMENT IN EVERYBODYS EYES?? THE OTHER THING IS YOU CANT PULL DIPSIES WITH INLINES CAN YOU?? I FISH THE CENTRAL BASIN ERIE, LAKE MICHIGAN AND LAKE HURON OFTEN. THANKS FOR THE INPUT. CHAD

I think the mast is a great investment. I don't run dipsey's off inlines. I have run Jets off of them, sucessfully. I have my boat set up to run boards w/mast, six dipsey,s (2) riggers. That way I can cover any depth or any combination. I've had days where just the boards were working, and days just the riggers. If their up, I can run six lines off the boards. I can get 80' with my big dipseys, so if the fish are deep, I can get six rods down. Two riggers w/cheaters and four dipseys.
I fish Eastern Lake Erie.
I had a 19' boat so the boards are a pain, but I have fold up so it helps a little.
The inlines work super but I love the release. Get a big Salmon or Steelhead on an inline board. "XXXX"
The Pro's use the inlines for the ease, versatility, control and quickness of using the inlines. If I'm fun fishing, which I do most of the time, I like the realease and the fight you get from the fish. When trolling, we all know Walleye arn't the greatest fighters till they get to the boat.
><<<<*> Looney Tunes

I agree with JIm. Another nice thing about big boards is you can use any rod that will fit into a holder. You arent limited to the larger rods that are made to withstand the pulling of inlines.

Perchjerker
I forgot to mention that part. I put ultra lite poles, fly rods, noodle rods, any type to add some fun.
><<<<*> Looney Tunes

i have both triple planer boards and the bigjon otterboats...in my opinion...the bigjons are hands down favorite...they do not pull so hard on the masts and move to the outside way better than my triples did...whichever triple was on the leeward side of the boat would move way behind the boat...the planer on the windward side would go out nicely laterally...both my otters go out laterally all the time...no comparison....i mounted a single bigjon mast on each side of my boat on the gunwales as the dual masts would be better on boats where i could mount the mast up front...my boat has a cabin and not a walkaround....so a single mast would not work for me...go with the bigjon otterboats...whichever mast probably makes less difference...steve heckler

I second the Otter Boats.Started using them this year and have to say they are the best boards I have ever used.They pull to the side with much less pull than any other dual or triple planner I have ever used.Will let you know in a couple of weeks how the Dipseys work off them.
Capt`n Dwayne
WalleyeWiz Guide Servcie

DOES ANY BODY KNOW HOW DIPSIES PULL OFF THEM? ALSO HOW MANY DIPSIES CAN YOU PULL?? AND DO THEY RUN WELL IN ROUGH WATER???

Chad, I cannot comment on the Dipseys just yet however they pull as well in rough water as they do the flat stuff(of which we have not had much of on Erie this spring}.They really are a great over all board.
Capt`n Dwayne
WalleyeWiz Guide Service

Just bought new set of Otter Boards and tried them out after setting everything to specs. They were worthless they wouldn't pull enough to take the slack out of the line.Big Jon is working with me on them and might have to go to two rudders. I tried changing the angle for more side pull and went to much and the board would dive.I can't see where they will ever work for me. Need a set of boards that will not dive ever!! Huck

Boy I thought everybody else had goo luck. I hate to spend almost 200 dollars on something that wont work for me. Anybody else have any insight??

If you're in the market for planer board mast, look at "Big Waters" equipment, out of Mass. I ordered their single reel setup and I must say, the machining and quality is just exceptional. Every part is precision machined out of steel or aluminum; only plastic part is the crank knob. All the parts are powder coated. Price is about the same as Big Jon. I've used mine 3 - 4 times this Spring with a Big Jon Otter Boat and it works perfectly.

I think what you're experiencing is not that the Otter Boat isn't pulling slack out of the tow line. Rather, it rides forward more than standard planer boards, so there is less angle on the tow line, resulting is less outward force on the slide ring. There is an easy fix - simply turn slightly in the opposite direction while you are setting the rod (i.e., turn slightly to port while setting starboard line).

Chad, I have run the otter boats for a couple years now. Just tied them as the instructions say. No issues. I have run, cannons collapsables, homemade and superski's in the past. Really, the superskis were the best boards before the otters and I was expecting something a lot better when I went to the otters. I wish I would have saved my $170. But they are definately better. I just didn't need them I guess. I put washers behind all my nuts and knots and haven't had a problem. I was worried the ropes would pull through. I also took the keels apart and RVT'd them together because they were getting sloppy. All that stuff is worth the time if you spend the cash on the otters.

I see you have a proline. If you have a t-top or a hard top you may not need a mast. I have a t-top and mounted reels to it. That worked great. I recently ran a couple of 3' rods out of my t-top outriggers with a pulley on each end to get me an extra couple of feet up in the air, that helps put a bit more pitch in the line to send the releases down, but not necessary. You may be able to do something similar. Basically think of how high your reels would mount if you hooked them to some hardware on your boat. A mast is 5' high maybe mounted two feet (guessing) above the water line on a lund or something similar. If I mounted a mast on the bow of my center console it would be a pain in the butt to fish.

I GUESS IAM STILL UNDECIDED BUT I APPRECIATE THE INPUT. JGF I WISH I HAD THE HARDTOP OR T-TOPS BUT HAVE THE WALKAROUND WITH A CUDDY AND SOFT TOP. I WAS GOING TO MOUNT IT ON THE TOP OF THE CUDDY?? I AM STILL WONDERING WILL THEY PULL DIPSIES?? THANKS FOR THE INPUTS CHAD

Probably a good place to mount it on that boat. Sorry, I have never pulled dipseys off my boards. The release also has to be on the stronger side to pull a dipsey. You can run four to six dipsys no problem without boards. I just pull cranks behind my otters boats.