Best planner board

[Big O]

What is the best planner board to use with a mast trolling system. Going to Erie in april and need some help on which type to use. I know there is a few choices, If anybody can shed some light on the subject I would appreciate some info. Thanks

[Gumbo]

http://www.friskyjennyflies.com/trolling-boards.html

These are the best, in my opinion. They run well, track well, are very stable, have multiple attachment points to adjust tracking, and impart great action to the baits.

[FreeByrd]

Big O,
I'd give Den a call at the Sportsman's Outpost in Vermillion, OH on 888-855-9032. He should be able to help you.

You can also order boards online at www.amishoutfitters.com

Good Luck,
Steve

[CarpbetBagger]

Bird,
Do you use those amish boards? They sound ok by the add. Im in the market for a new set and im really confused about wat to buy...any1 have any suggestions?

CB

[vetspet(ind)]

hands down favorite is the big jon otterboats....i bought the triple ski planers for over 200 dollars....these were supposed to be the best at the time...they were terrible...too much drag on my masts and did not go out parallel to the boat well at all....especially if there were 1-2 ft waves...forget using them if the waves were greater than 2 ft.....then i got the big jon otters and they really work super...much easier to work...much less strain on the masts.....they run out to the sides and stay there much better...several guys on walleye central liked them so i got a pair....one guy always disagrees with me but i can tell you i've tried both types and the big jons are superior ...big time...in my opinion.....if you still want the other type i have a pair i'd sell you cheap...steve

[marcbodi]

Hi,
Are the Amish Boards even in front or are they offset.I have found that the offset Surge around and if your not careful dive on you.I got the plans off the internet and made two sets that were offset and they were the worst boards I ever seen.

[Sparky]

I keep hearing about how well the Otter boards run. I have a Big Jon mast and boards I haven't used for years. I have a larger boat this year and was thinking about using the big boards again. The only "negative" I've heard about the Otters is they track so well to the side you might have to move the reels a little further back than expected. Would you agree with this evaluation? I'm about convenced to try a set.

[FreeByrd]

I don't recall and can't tell from the picture on the link I provided. You can call 800 473-1748 and ask, but I can tell you that Frank (Y-Knot) runs these boards fishing as many days of the year on both Erie and Ontario as anyone I know. Frank is one of the top trollers on either lake and he wouldn't use them if they didn't work right. I've never had a problem with boards diving, and some surge in your boards is a good thing.
Good Luck,
Steve

[FreeByrd]

CB,
I don't have them - yet. Mine are similar- bought them at Lakeside Bait on Colorado Ave in Lorain several years ago. Made by one of the locals in Lorain - can't remember who. I'll probably own a set of the Amish Boards whenever my current ones get tired. As I mentioned in the other post, Frank makes his living from fishing and he wouldn't use them if he didn't believe they were the best. He is highly respected as one of the top trollers on Erie and Ontario.
Steve

[RANGER]

Sparky,

You lost me with the "reels" moving them further back. I don't know whether you're referring to the reels on the mast or on the rods?? In either case my "reels" (both) are set the same way using the Otters' or the dual boards.

I now have the "Otters" and I think they are the best, too! There are some folks that feel that the Otters' don't impart much action to the lures because they do run so well. I'll trade that any day for having boards spear waves and get lines dangerously close to tangling (and sometimes DO!); and the board that flips in waves causing you to reset that whole side. I've never had that stuff happen with the Otters'! My biggest complaint with them is storing them on board. I ended up placing eyehooks in the splash well, laying the boards in there upside down and using a bungee to strap them down.

[FreeByrd]

Ranger,
You fish the otter boats on Erie right? How rough of conditions have you ran them in? How many lines have you run off on them at once, and how heavy of stuff? Size 30 or 40 jets, or small dipseys?

I have one of these that someone gave me a few years ago. Steve (Vetspet) sent me the diagram on setup and I don't think I ran them correctly when I tried them before. IF I can find mine, I'm going to give it another shot this year as a test, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I gave it to someone?
Thanks
Steve

[RANGER]

>Ranger,
>You fish the otter boats on Erie right?

Yep, I do.

>How rough of conditions have you ran them in?

Rough enough that I shouldn't have been there! ;-) I can run them in 2 to 4 footers (Coast Guard Measurements) with reasonable success. 3 to 5's get hairy, but I have been caught in this type of water. They started acting up but not for the boards - the mast lines were getting dragged back by the waves causing the board to pull closer and drop back. The Otters, though, stayed their course! 4 to 6's I'm outta there! BUT, I did get caught once, and I had wished the boat was riding those waves as well as the boards did LOL!!! (This was the time I shoudn't have been out there)!

>How many lines have you run off on them at once,

Three, but this is restricted by the Regs. I felt I could have gotten four to a side. However, I normally run two to a side, normally.

>and how heavy of stuff? Size 30 or 40 jets, or small dipseys?

Similar - I run Cabela's seeker/divers (on the order of the jets but can be set to different depths on each one, I like them)! I have had the seeker/divers set to 60 ft and the boards held, but that was one set that deep to a side, not all of them. I don't use the small dipseys only the big ones on separate rods. I would think the smaller ones would work much the same as the seeker/divers or jets.

>
>I have one of these that someone gave me a few years ago.
>Steve (Vetspet) sent me the diagram on setup and I don't
>think I ran them correctly when I tried them before.

There is a trick to rigging the boards: Through arduous trial and error we have found that an Off Shore release (I forget the number but their heaviest one) or similar type releases, mounted inside the Otter, 1" forward of center, is a Godsend when you are on the water. The reason is - when you rig that line through the sides of the board and tie the loop in it (per the directions), you can't change the attitude of the board in the water and it's supsequent "pull" against the tower without retying! That "pull" is the attitude, which changes depending on what you hang out there. With the Off Shore you can simply pull more or less line through the front hole of the board and "lock" it in place with the release. This changes the angle of attack for the board and allows you to adjust it approprietly. I really wanted to patent this idea but I tried that road before, several times, and it gets time consuming and expensive!! Now that I've opened my big mouth:

>>>>I AM SERVING NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT<<<<

here! Just in case!

This really does work beautifully and there is no strain on the board or the hole in it because the release is only theathered to the board, so it doesn't get lost. When you clamp it to the line you do it on the inside surface of the board right at the hole! You will be amazed at how well it works!

>IF I can find mine, I'm going to give it another shot this year
>as a test, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I gave it to
>someone?
>Thanks
>Steve

Go for it, Steve!!

[FreeByrd]

RANGER,
Thanks for the great reply. You've convinced me to give it a shot.

I think I understand what you are saying with the release inside the board and adjusting the amount of the attachment cord that is used. I'm guessing the rougher it is and/or the faster you troll, the shorter (closer to the board) you want the attachment or do I have it backwards?? So in other words, when and why do you adjust either direction?

Do you use any shock cords when you run the otter boats, between the otterboat and the towline? I'm guessing no since the boats don't surge as much as conventional boards.

Thanks again,
Steve
steve199132@yahoo.com

[kinda catchy]

Steve, I have been pulling these boards the last two years on Erie. I think Ranger has found the solution to the only problem I have had with them, that being lack of adjustment for tracking. These boards pull better with my old setup on choppy days, say at least 2 footers. I have pulled up to five lines on a side when I had enough bodys on board to justify. Thanks Ranger for a great idea, I will try that this summer and see if that works better for me. Never have run Dipsey's off of them so I can't say about that, but I have run Jet's off them on occasion without incident. If you would wan't to you can borrow mine for a day of practice to see if you like them. Might even tag along with you if you have room. Thanks Kelly.

[FreeByrd]

Kelly,
Sounds like a deal to me. All you need to bring are the otter boats. Boat will be in the water Sat March 23 if all goes according to plan.
Steve

[kinda catchy]

Steve, you will be in the water sooner than I will. Dock is not ready. (dredgeing in channel and dock area) Hope to be in by April 12th. Lori put me in dock cf129 second in channel by where the trailer use to be. Look forward to fishing soon. Thanks Kelly.

[RANGER]

>RANGER,
>Thanks for the great reply. You've convinced me to give it
>a shot.

You're welcome!

>
>I think I understand what you are saying with the release
>inside the board and adjusting the amount of the attachment
>cord that is used. I'm guessing the rougher it is and/or
>the faster you troll, the shorter (closer to the board) you
>want the attachment or do I have it backwards?? So in other
>words, when and why do you adjust either direction?

You're right, you have it slightly backwards, BUT, it DEPENDS! Generally speaking, the faster and rougher the MORE you want to let out the inside line of the board attachment harness, i.e. less line inside the board clamped by the release. The slower/calmer the more line you want to clamp INSIDE the board to increase the angle of attack. But, conditions may change: wind, waves, pull of baits, etc.! The beauty of this set up is it is dynamic and can change relatively quickly!


>
>Do you use any shock cords when you run the otter boats,
>between the otterboat and the towline?

No, there is enough slack in the mast line and the mast line release to compensate for any strike, even Steelies!

>I'm guessing no since the boats don't surge as much as conventional boards.

Correct-o-mundo! Has alot to do with it!


>
>Thanks again,
>Steve
>steve199132@yahoo.com

[RANGER]

Kelly,
Steve,

Give this a try - I think you'll like it! We do!

[Ripper4]

That is a good idea! I have run the otters for years and like them with the exception of being able to adjust them. I'm going to do this for sure.

Thanks

[Big O]

Thanks for the info. I just ordered the otters yesturday because of the info I recieved from you. Thanks again and maybe I'll see ya on Erie around April.

I'll be in a silver Champion boat.
Thanks again from Wisc.

[RANGER]

Well, I hope you have great success with them and enjoy them as much as we do. I don't believe you will be disappointed.

Another little tid-bit: I, personally, like the Laurvick (sp?) releases for the mast line - they're fool proof and I NEED fool-proof!

Good luck!