I saw several boats using planer boards today. Any one care to tell me how they are rigged? They seem to be rigged in line instead of separately with release clips? I assume people are using herring under them?
I am not expert but have used them recently. The ones we have are in-line. You clip the line to the side of the planer in a quick-release pressure clip. When you have a fish it will pop out and you wind in the fish and planer which at that point is moving freely on the line through a swivel.
I think you can put plugs and other things under them but I was using herring and thats what i see people doing mostly. Esp when trolling with the TM or up near some shallow water.
I will sum it up and if you have any questions just ask.
First start with a glass/plastic bead above a swivel.I use a 5-6’ fluorocarbon leader to the hook(20lb).
The planer board clips directly on the line ABOVE the swivel, the planers also have a swivel on them, this if so it will stay on the line you then put the line in the clip. I will vary/experiment with different lengths behind the boards but normally I will have my bait at least 20’ behind. This lets the bait swim where it wants to. It is real fun to watch one of those herring run up to the surface to avoid a striper and then see him hammer them on top:smiley:
When the fish strikes the line will snap out of the planer clip and the planer board is pretty much out of the way and this is where the bead comes into play, it keeps the board from sliding all the way down to the fish/hook.
We pull them with the TM at speeds of less than 1mph(gps works great for this).
Sometimes I will put some split shot on the line below the swivel to get the bait down a little deeper.
Good luck
Forgot to add I use circle hooks and the fish will hook themselves, resist the urge to set the hook because you will pull it out of the fish’s mouth. Also when using planer boards I will use 2 on either side and then at least one flat way way back and with the circle hooks if you hit a school just take them one at a time.
1999 Sea Pro 210cc
Suzuki 225 EFI
Thanks for the info. How about telling me about TM setup? Length? Volts? Control mechanism? Brand?
Scout, need info about your boat…are you running a 17’ or 23’ etc. That will help determine what you need. Also what type fishing you primarily do.
scout 175 cc
I have a 21’ Sea Pro deep v(not bay boat).
I have a 24 volt motor with 65lbs thrust and it has the 60" shaft.
Most guys around here use the minnkota autopilot, the autopilot works great, you just point it in the direction you want to go and it will correct it self for wind/current and etc and let you fish.
1999 Sea Pro 210cc
Suzuki 225 EFI