View Full Version : cranking shallow behind boards ?
strand
03-07-2002, 09:12 AM
What is the rule of thumb for pulling shallow running crank in 2' to 6' of water behind boards? Can you figure 1' of depth to every 5' of line behind the board? Will the boards spook the fish? Thanks for the help!!!!
Pick up a copy of precision trolling and that will get you started in the direction that you neek to go.
I just got a copy the other day.
GREAAAAAAAAT booklet to have, and worth the $20 easily.
-Box
It all depends on the crank and its dive curve.
You have less chance of spooking the fish with a board the with a boat for sure. Only other option is to pitch them but you dont cover as much water.
brushpile
03-07-2002, 05:25 PM
they dont make as much noise or wake as a muskrat. I've caught fish on cranks that were as close as 7 ft to the board.
TK_551
03-07-2002, 05:36 PM
It can depend if you are fishing clear water or stained water. I have caught walleyes and northerns with my cranks running near the prop wash in stained water. Use boards even when running cranks shallow so you get a nice spread and cover more water.
Tom
#551
marcbodi
03-07-2002, 05:43 PM
Hi,
We have run boards in six ftw and caught Salmon using 15a Bombers with about 70 ft of line out.You could try that and you could use14a Bombers and thundersticks and Jr thunders and renoskys shallow baits.Sometimes you can be beating the bottom and walleyes will hit them.The only thing you can do is try different things and then you will be tickled pink if it works out.My Favorite BOMBERS<BOMBERS>BOMBERS.
JCarp
03-07-2002, 06:35 PM
Precision Trolling - You can order it from here.
I don't know about 2' but if your running cranks in say 5 or 6 ft, find a flat with that depth & just let out line til you hit (rod tip at water level) then just bring it in a little and you have your lead distance for attaching the board.
For two ft down, I'd find clear water and just look over the side of the boat and watch the lure as I let line out out. Maybe stand in the bow & have someone else watch from the back.
If you need longer leads try 20# test mono (I'd add a small dia 6' leader in front of a stickbait). (Credit to I Troll of IL)
Fritz
03-07-2002, 07:54 PM
The board will not spook the fish.(maybe occasionally) I've run baby thundersticks 6 ft. behind the board in 3 ft of water on winnebago and caught a lot of fish. On many other occasions on the winnebago system i have run the baits so close to the board that the fish are netted with the board still on the line. Good luck and if you think it will work keep trying it till it does. Ryan Relien
steve(IL)
03-07-2002, 09:05 PM
Use Precision trolling as a guide - then some common sense. For example Storm T-sticks w/ 40ft 10lb line will dig 3ft or so. Get it 3ft of water prior to your trolling pass, let your line out. Does the lure tick bottom?(watch rod tip). If yes, crank in a few feet. If no, maybe let out a few feet. Once you're happy, attach planer board. You can run shad raps in three feet if you want. Just keep the lead to the planer board short enough. If you think the fish & the bite is hot, consider running your lures a little higher. Adjust.