Off Shore Boards With Tattle Flags

[Tim]

I recently purchased a set of Off Shore Boards with the Tattle Flag kit. In the past I have used Church Company Gary Roach Boards, I purchased the Off Shore Boards because of the Tattle Flags. I have used them once, and it was in the river in early April with a very fast current. I was pulling Reef Runner deep divers, and I couldn't get the flag to run at the desired angle reguardless of where I placed the spring, the flags would just pull all the way back.

I thought that the flag was suppose to ride at some desired angle and that you could adjust this with the spring, and when a fish is on the flag would pull back. I have asked two different people that both use these boards and got two different answers. Once guy said no, the flag only works with light pulling baits. The other guy who said he uses his boards to pull the same Reef Runners that I was using said the flags were pulling all the way back because the current in the river had a lot to do with it.

What are your thoughts on these boards and the flags?

[ETT]

The flag springs are desined for lighter pulling lures and not for heavy current. Some replace the springs with C-73 springs from the hardware store, others put the spring in the bottom holes and hook the top of the spring around the stem of the flag. This added tension usually does the trick.
I fish Lake Erie and sometimes troll at speeds up to 3-1/2 mph, with snap weights up to 4 oz.. I use a C-63 spring that is heavier yet.
Off-Shore had to go with a spring that they felt would be the best for the most common applications.
Hope this helps, good luck.

[Eric Olson]

The key I've found is to put one more notch in the front of the board below the lowest factory made notch. I take a knife and cut it then push the spring into the notch. I've found that this holds the spring and provides enough tension along with what ETT was saying by looping the other end around the stem of the flag.

Tattles will work in just about any condition, tweeking is the key.

Tight Lines
Big Fish
Eric Olson

[REELMAN]

The spring that comes with the tattle tail kit is not the greatest. I would go and get the C-73 spring from your hard ware store. It works very well with a 2 oz. snap weight and a deep diving plug. Also will hold 2 to 3 colors of leadcore up very well. The tattle tail kit is a great invention just don't think the spring that comes with the kit is that great.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Both of the people were telling you the same thing. The flag is being pulled backwards by too much pressure. Whether the pressure comes from a hard pulling bait or from the heavy current, the result is the same. Do as the others have said. Get the new springs and set them to where the flag will stand up by itself but then will also fall back down easily if there is any added drag from the lures. That is when you'll get the most benefit from the flags. Good luck.

[Pat Wunsch]

Give Off-Shore Tackle some time and I'm sure they will have a havey-duty spring available as an optional accesory...for $12.99!

[Big Bird]

When I have this problem I add a light rubberband to assist the spring, from the flag staff to the front of the board.
Tight lines BB