View Full Version : Planner boards for Walleyes & Northerns?
Wingman
03-02-2002, 11:10 AM
Can anyone give me some advice for using a planner board while trolling rapalas for walleye, northerns and smallouth? I will be trolling in 5-15 feet of water using 8-10 lb test and 6 ft rods with 3 people in a 15 foot boat. My goal is to make sure the lines don't get tangled. Two of us will probalby be fishing 2 poles each using 4 rod holders on the boat. Do you think a planner board is the way to go? What do you recommend? Thank you for your help.
Wingman, it can be very effective. i use the in line boards by off shore. you can stagger them at any length you want from the boat. i use them for musky , and it does work good. good luck and good fishin.
Den
stevefellegy
03-02-2002, 05:10 PM
One piece of advice I might offer, is at the point of a fish hitting.
If a fish pulls back the inside board, no problem, just reel'er in. BUT, if a fish pulls back the outside board, you have to make a quick choice. I always immediately release the inside board/line, so it floats back far enough for me to pull the outside board in, without it crossing the inside board. When it is back far enough, lock the reel. I then move, what was the inside board, to the front and it becomes the outside board. Then I am able to land the fish without a mess. The other choice is just quick reel the inside board in. But that leaves you not fishing on that side and two lines to put back out. It's called a chinese fire drill. Especially when two or more boards get hit simultaneously. Doesn't hurt to have two nets in the boat at that point either...or three. Have fun!
walleyelove
03-05-2002, 06:29 PM
ck out this sight http://community.webtv.net/MRTWISTERR/PlainerBoardsDeluxe the boards are of basic design but definately tract to the side and u can run at least 4 lines off each board it doesnt effect the boards performance and the boards also work well in rough water--thanx-------mike
Gary Gray
03-05-2002, 08:28 PM
Off Shore Boards, they are the board of choice. They will handle any type of fishing you want to do. Easy to use, and they ride the water better than any other board out there.
Like Steve Fellegy stated above, take notice, because he gave you the best tip for using in-line trolling boards there is. I would print a copy, carry it with you when using the boards, it is good advice.
Good Luck, hope this helps,
Gary Gray,#10
jerry
03-05-2002, 08:32 PM
Go with Gary's advice and go with the Offshore boards. Been using them for a number of years now and they're perfect for the situation you refer to.
Steve, it is a real chinese fire drill when running 4 boards on each side and the get a steelie on each side, lol. then you find out how fast you can untangle . that is very good advice that you gave. good luck and good fishin.
Den
the legend
03-06-2002, 05:35 PM
When running planar boards how do you control how deep you are if your bottom is constantly changing??? What do you do ,stay right on that 1 foot contour line to keep your bait in the strike zone????
stevefellegy
03-06-2002, 05:46 PM
Giving advice to a "legend" seems strange but...
When fishing bottem relating fish that are structure related, with boards is NOT an easy task and surely, a last resort, in my book. But..it can be done by paying very close attention to the boat control, envisioning where the fish/ideal structure is relative to where the board is running. One false move and your snagged and everything has to come to a screeching halt. You have to study the area closely, either using markers to gauge where the fish are or having a 'feel' where they are relative to what the depthfinder is reading and the distance the board is away from you. You set your lines along side the boat just as if you were gonna hold'em, then hook the board on. Set'em in the exact depth the board will be running.
Man...tough deal when the fish are on the bottem relating to structure. Total concentration or else...
My advice? Find a different approach in those situations if possible.
Good luck!