Pros 'n Cons on different inline planers

[Work Release]

Brief history, my boat is about 50% fishing 50% pleasure, which has always been a tough layout...but it's been working well after getting the bugs worked out. The only area I've been lacking is planer boards. My boat is a bowrider, and I'm none to anxious to stick a mast where it'll look like I'm a pole dancer trying to get up front. :smirk: I played a bit last year with a single inline planer, and did ok. But in the past week, as I begin to salivate with the coming off of the shrink wrap, I've been looking at different inlines.....holy frijoles, there's a bunch of 'em ! Last year, I was in the Astabula area, and did very well with my downriggers, probably because I was in 60-70 fow, but now that I'm over here in the vermilion area those may not fare well. I know I've got to practice with (gulp) dipseys, but I'm more focused on the inline planers. I found six different ones online, and haven't even completed my search/research. Looking for any thoughts on the different ones, and inline vs. full size. I fish alone 70% of the time, and with just my wife the other 30%...so not alot of lines out. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/help !

[rabbit]

I use Offshore rigged with tatle tale flag system (spring loaded flag that detects bites,snags,small fish weeds etc...) I use a Snapper release on the front and OR-16 release on the back... I'm assuming your main target is walleyes? I've used this set-up for years and am very happy with it. They track very nice in high seas and are very easy to read when a fish loads up on them... Go out with someone who is seasoned at pulling numerous boards at one time and you will become very effective at operating these by yourself or with a partner. If you target smaller fish, Offshore has came out with a smaller board called the "mini-Planer Board" for crappies that you can run off of either side of the boat by simply flipping the release system to the other side of the board and then send it out. Nice little rig, they are very small and alot of fun to fish with and very easy for one person to operate. I'm going to pull the mini boards for ice-out perch this year just for a twist on the fun...Hope this post helps you.... Paul

[hondo]

I agree with Rabbit, and I also run the Offshore boards with tattle flags and the snapper release on front and the OR-16 release on the back. I've been very happy with that setup for quite a few years!

[StriperChaser2]

Yep I run the Offshore boards also. I don't run the tattle flag as I feel if the fish can't pull drag, it doesn't count. I too fish from a bowrunner, but I am probably rigged better than most of the bass boats:cool: As for the pole dance, please find someone else if you are going to post pictures:muahaha:

[Guest]

For erie, you probably want either full size std Offshores or the same size Church. Offshore red SST boards are the same as the yellow ones except no flag and they come with a big snap swivel on the back instead of a clip that you will prob want to change to a release clip.

I fish erie a fair amt & personally run yellow std size Offshores with Church releases front and back. I have one board rigged with a snapper release on the front but only because I've never changed it out. Snapper releases are pricey but they last forever. I used them extensively after they were 1st introduced by Willie until I learned about the Church releases. The Church releases are a bit easier to use and don't slip with superlines.

I think you would be fine with either std size Church or Offshore boards. If you get black releases with Offshore boards you definitely need to change them out to Offshores red release, the snapper, or Church. My vote is to try several release & decide for yourself which are best. I like the flag on Offshores (tattle or not) because of the visibility in waves. Tattleflags sometimes cause me to notice a white bass hit/dragger I would have missed but they are not "must haves" for where you are fishing. No experience with tattleflags on Church boards but the std set-up is pretty sensitive - when pulling cranks with superlines you can see the rod tip vibrate or feel the bait if you hold the line.

Search here for more on the great Church vs Offshore debate. You can make your own tattleflag set-up for Offshore boards cheap. If you ever lose a board on big water don't dawdle. Immediately turn around asap, try like heck to always keep an eye on it and if you lose sight of it set your plotter scale at .1 or whatever and follow your plotter trail back & forth til you find it. Don't give up if you miss spotting it 1st try.

Good Luck

[Work Release]

Thanks for the replies...I'll focus on the church and offshore ones. I'm thinking I pay or build the tt flags. I've noticed them white bass can be boardline vermin/nuisance when trolling.....dragged a few of 'em on downriggers for miles, judging by the look on their faces when i finally boat 'em. :grin: Hopefully I can get a solid plan with the inlines, removing any threat of streaming video of me poledancing ! :ooo:

[teamlund]

I also use the church tackle co boards. I do not use the tattle flags. Its more money and I have fished with enough guys and seen them NOT work. If you watch your boards enough. You get an eye for it and can tell when you are dragging weeds or a small whitebass:grin:

[Double Tap]

The Church Tackle TX22special boards work real well. You can mount 8" lightsticks on the flags with rubber bands for night time trolling.too.

[catchmore]

I use Church Tackle's TX22 and the double action flag system. You can't beat the versatility of this board. For trolling slow it sits up perfectly. Also, I just saw they came out with an LED lighted flag that fits on the board or the system... plan on trying those out as well for night fishing.

[K Gonefishin]

For Erie fishing, Offshore boards, Snapper up front, OR-16 on the back been using this system for who knows how long and it works great. TX-22's go under to quick when you have a big one hooked up and VERY hard to get up on top again. Offshores are more bouyant and you can rig the back (put line in from of nipple instead of behind) so the back of the board tips back and a hog can't take it underwater, Can't do that with a Church board.

[Hombre Robusto]

I agree with KGone. The Church boards have a tendency to dive, and once they do, it's a bear to get them back up. As far as tattle flags are concerned, I wouldn't fish boards without them. The price OffShore wants for the kit is ridiculous. I made flags for my boards that are as good or better than the OEM version for about a buck a board.

[walteye]

I use the Offshore boards and have went with the snapper on the front and the or-16 releases on the back for years. Since my wife started fishing with me-she cannot squeeze the or-16 release so I went to the church releases on the back.
Walteye

[T Mac]

K Gone is right on.
...and gave a good tip to boot.

[ERIE REBEL]

For Erie fishing, Offshore boards, Snapper up front, OR-16 on the back been using this system for who knows how long and it works great. TX-22's go under to quick when you have a big one hooked up and VERY hard to get up on top again. Offshores are more bouyant and you can rig the back (put line in from of nipple instead of behind) so the back of the board tips back and a hog can't take it underwater, Can't do that with a Church board.

I have used Kgones as well as many of the others setup for years also.You can even drift with offshore board rigged with a tattletail if you have a decent drift wind.It then becomes just like bobber fishing.You see the flag drop and Fish On!!!!

[buck.eyehunter]

I'm with k-gone as well and I do not like the church board due to when you are running multiple boards on one side the church boards pull to hard not wanting to clear. This makes it difficult to clear outside boards with white perch and such.
I run two snappers per board I feel you get no slippage and they are easier to get off when you have the rod in one hand you can pop the first clip the board will not fall off line then grab back clip pop it set the board down works well in fire drills. I do like k gones trick though I have to do it a little more. mike

[OldDawg]

I've gone back to using my big boards as my boat is set up for them and they are a lot less hassle to work with. Big planer boards were designed to spread multible lines out away from the boat. With them, when a fish strikes it pulls the line out of the clip clearing other lines and you are free to fight the fish without worrying about having to remove something from your line before you can land your fish.

[Prov275]

I Like The Offshore Boards With The Snapper Release
On Front Red Release On Back No Tattle Flags.
Dont Buy Offshores Thread On Lights Way To
Expensive Use The Round Glow Style With
2 Rubber Bands On Top Of The Board Works Great.

[rebs]

I have both offshore and church and so far cannot say I like one better than the other. I use both if there is more than two people in my boat, both have worked good for me. I haven't experienced the diving problem that other have with the church boards.

[Manxfishing]

I've fished with both

The churchs run flatter in the water and they are adjustable
there is a problem if the board goes under and the front snap releases
It will stay down and run in front of the bait and fish

For the offshores
I have mine set up with Or-16 (red) snaps in front and the or-14 (black) snaps in back
It's easy for me to get the boards off fast if I fish alone
And I run the tattle tale flags

I've fished with Offshore boards that had Churchs snaps front and rear
And they were allot easier to take off then mine
Not sure how they would work in the ruff stuff. But i'm told they worked fine

My thoughts are
I like the Offshores better
At one time the chuches were cheaper and they were a option
But for the same money buy the offshore and then pick up the tattle tale flags or make your own as you
go along

Here's a link to the cheapest price on Boards that I've seen
http://www.franksgreatoutdoors.com/fishing/trolling-gear/planer-boardsaccessories

[619]

where does a person find the glow lights for planer boards?

[Manxfishing]

where does a person find the glow lights for planer boards?

You can pick them up on E-bay cheap
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p4522.m38.l1313&_nkw=glow+sticks&_sacat=See-All-Categories

As others have said
Just rubber band them to the board

[Boatnut]

I fish by myself quite a bit. and have always used the Church boards. IMO, they are much easier to put on take off with one hand. I've had very few probs with sinking boards. The Off shore are nice boards but by the time you upgrade releases etc, you have a lot more money in them. I use braided line on my board rods and keep the drags set extra light...so that in a turn they will start clicking. That way, I do not feel the need for tattle flags. If you run mono, then you may want to consider the tattle flags for those pesky white perch etc.
my 2 cents