Tattle Flag upgrade

[Ristorapper]

I just finished upgrading my offshore boards with the tattle flags. Now I don't have much experience pulling boards and the little I did pull them it was difficult to read them, thus the upgrade. The question I have is this: are there any more modifications that will make this product be the best out there? What else did you do to your boards to make them more efficient to use. I do use braided line; any change in the releases?

One small adjustment I did was to make a small hole with the drill bit provided so that I can undo the spring and collapse the flag for better storage and then put a rubberband around it. I drilled the small hole for the spring near the bottom of the inside of the board so the spring stores between the front(near bottom) of the board and stretches towards the weight where I drilled the small hole.

Do you have any storage tips as where you keep them in your boat and do you use the planer board storage pouches? Thanks in advance for your tips!!

BW(ND)

[Sunshine]

For Storage I use the Board Tamers. I don't remember the company that makes them, but I'm sure that others on this board will give you a web site..

As far as modifications, I bought different springs at the hardware store for different applications. Hard pulling cranks need stronger springs than supplied.

Most people run flags straight up, however I have found that if my flag is at a slight angle (loaded) they are easier to read for small fish and weeds.

Check your screw that is attached to flag occasionally, it does come loose.

For braided line, go out and spend more money on the snapper release. You will never be sorry. Save old springs for snap weights. If you shop around you can find the snapper releases for a third of the price that off shore sells them for.

[Pitts]

The spring # you want at the hardware store is a C-73. I'll be using the tattle flags this year for the first time also but I have pulled boards since I got a boat and love them for spreading out you presentation.
Good luck


Pitts

[SPARTY]

Look into OR-18 Clips to replace the ones that come on the boards themselves. I use fireline and these clips work awesome with no slip what so ever. I was also told by someone from offshore that if you move the clip from the back of the board to the main arm you will get a better revealing of when a fish is on if you weren't using tattle flags.

Chris

[perchjerker]

Here is the board tamer you are talking about.

http://www.driftbag.com/planer.htm

[RLux]

I took a drill and drilled a bigger hole in the just the flag and put in a little bigger screw. The bigger screw going into the original board holds tighter than the original screw that comes with the upgrade. The screw that comes with the upgrade can still be turned by hand after it is installed so I was afraid of losing it.

[Nordicron]

Anyone ever buy there own parts or find away to convert their boards to tattle without buying the $16 dollar upgrade?

[Rod Holder]

I have a friend who made his own upgrade items. He used sevenstrand for the wire from flag to the back release and just crimped it with a small loop at the back. Works as good as mine where I purchased the upgrade stuff. Using the sevenstrand and springs purchased from the hardware, all you'd have to get are some higher tension springs. You can either get the red ones from Offshore or the Gary Roach clips. Some guys prefer the Gary Roach clips even on Offshore boards. I use Fireline with the boards and I wrap the line through a second wrap even with the red releases. Hasn't been a problem taking the boards off when a fish is on.

[Nordicron]

Well I went to the hardware store today and bought a few dollars worth of stuff and converted my boards to tattle flags. For under $2 I have some tattle flags on my boards and they work great. Used piano wire, a nylon bushing, small brad nail and a spring.

[Stotch]

Hi Ristorapper,

You asked for storage tips for the boards. Here is an idea that I just completed installing on my boat.

Purchased 2 sheets of white plastic pegboard 24" x 48" and some elastic strips from Lowe's home improvement store. Cut the pegboard to size so they could be mounted behind the rod holders using SS hardware within the storage lockers. Used hooks to hold the boards upright and fastened the elastic to the pegboard w/ washers and screws.

Also attached the male portion of a snap to the pegboard so the "Hook-Em Pads" can hang in the storage lockers when not in use, lures, boards, rods & reels, dipsy's, etc. are secured and out of sight, behind lock and key.

Just another idea to try and keep the boat organized, clutter free and ready to go at a moments notice.

Have fun with your boat,

Stotch

[Rod Holder]

If you have ever taken a picture of this set up I'd love it if you emailed it to me.

tallmike00@attbi.com