Using a Planer Board

[welch40]

Just trying to figure out what I did wrong. I was using my planer board the other day and it would go under water and cross back and forth behing the boat. Looking for some information on exactly how to use them.
James

[Pond scum]

Need more information. What type of board? How did you attach it to your line? What were you pulling behind it?

Need more information...

What brand of board were you using?
How did you attach it to your line?
Was the balast (lead) missing from it?

Can't really help you with what you have told us.

Juls

LOL Scott...you beat me to it! ;)

I am going to guess you are using Off-Shore boards and are running baits close to the board. With bigger fish that are only 5-15 feet behind the board we have had the same problem. We are experimenting by changing the location of the back release. With it at the top it has been pulled under and acts like a dipsey. If that doesn't work I may change them to release off the front release like we do for salmon. I hate doing it for walleyes.
Good Luck Doug

That can happen with big fish or if you spear them in a wave going upwind (when you prob shouldn't be going upwind) but those are the only times. Like the others said - more detail...

Good Luck,
SS

Not the complete article but it is avail on-line
---------------------------------------------------------
Lake Erie Walleye Magazine
Summer 2002 Vol. 8, No. 2
Feature Article



Lake Erie Small Planer Board Basics
by Mark Hicks



SMALL BOARD BASICS

Setting out a small planer board presents a simple chore. With the boat moving ahead at trolling speed, let a lure out behind the boat as far as you deem necessary.

Next, engage the reel, grasp the line above the rod tip and place the rod in a holder. Connect the board to the line using whatever attachments come with the unit, usually two pinch-type line releases, or a line release followed by a wire guide. Be aware that some boards come designated for the right or left side of the boat, and they are not interchangeable.

After attaching the board, pull the rod from the holder, drop the board into the water and feed line as it swims out a distance of roughly 50 to 100 feet. The board’s bright color, typically yellow or orange, makes it easier to spot.

Then, engage the reel and place the rod back into its holder. The rod should rest in an upright position. This helps hold the line to the board out of the water and improves strike detection. Keep an eye on the board and the rod tip to determine when a walleye has taken the bait. The key indicator is when the board slides backward.

[pwrfshn]

Jim,

You are close enough...let me know when we can meet at Ute on a weekend and I will give you a first hand demo.

Heck, once you see them, you may pack away that jiggin tackle more often...LOL

A few additions to the "instructions" on using boards:
1. Make sure you have rods capable of handling the weight/drag...big reels with line counters as well.
2. Don't just let the board out once attached (as inferred), set the drag looser and let it "click" out, the drag will be tight enough that you are fishing on the layout - I have hooked a few in this period that I would not have set if I just let the reel out.
3. Be aware of your board size in relation to the line type and line out (lead is heavy at 7 colors and pulls a board), lure type is key here too, big lips wiil pull.
4. The boards usually have a lead weight on the bottom that is adjustable to offset heavy line/lures and/or speeds/waves.
5. Personally, I do not use the flag type...too complicated. I prefer the orange walleye boards.
6. I primarily pull lead and jet divers with boards with harnesses or sticks...sometimes snap weights.
Hope this helps.