Time to demonstrate my ignorance again as we are seriously considering adding Planer Boards to our fishing arsenal, however, Googling the subject is enough to drive me completely nuts on how to utilize them.
What I think I understand is that there are two different ways to deploy them. One way being to attach an individual board to an individual rod, and another is to utilize a “Mast” where one may deploy multiple rods off one board. That being said, I think I am only interested in one Board per Rod.
Understanding that the “Clip” attaches to the line going back to the rod, and the line passes through a “Snap Ring” leading back to the bait, what line strength is recommended? Also understand that a leader with Swivel and Bead is recommended so the board doesn’t slide onto the bait when a strike occurs. Finally, what are typical lengths to utilize from planer board to the bait, and when I say bait, I assume one may use live herring or a lure of some kind.
Just trying to get started in the right direction. Thanks for any responses.
Michael, you don’t want to mess with a planner board mast for the boat. Just pick up a couple of individual planners. Sounds like you got the right idea… You will get alot of different answers as to how far you put the bait behind the planner board and depending on how deep you want your bait to run you may want to just freeline it back behind the board or add some weight to it…anything from a small split shot to an egg sinker. I don’t use any different line than I do any other time (15 lb flouro leader).
Do a search on You Tube for something like “fishing planner boards” and I’m sure you will find some videos on how to set up and deploy them.
I am not gonna lie. When I first started reading this forum it was in the cooler months and people where all talking about boards and all the people getting baits were talking about them so i finally bought a set.
After the first 20 min of using them i had thrown them down in the boat, cussed them, and even threw them in the lake once. Kinda thought i had been scammed and sold the wrong type of board. They come with no instructions…hahaha. It was very frustrating. Just remember this “clip to the tip” (release clip towards your rod tip).
I do not like the big boards nor can i justify paying 20-40$ PER board. Guess if i pulled monster baits 10-12" baits all the time i would. I love my waterbugz. Richard sells them for like ~25$ a set. They work great. I use 20# mainline on all striper gear so I never really change anything from season to season. I basically use a carolina rig (downrod rig) without the weight. Still use the bead/swivel then about 3’ of flouro.
As far as how far back your bait is from the board is up to you. Ask 5 people u will get 7 answers. I have always read and heard the distance should be about the same as the depth of water u are fishing with max being around 30-40’ behind the board. I know some do more some less. I tend to put out 15-20’ unless fishing really shallow and will go down to 5-10’ but still prefer the longer lines and will run them in the shallows as long as they arent getting hung or herring are dying from being dragged in the mud.
U also need to keep an eye on the planers. Fish will strike and kill the bait but never release the board. If the board is acting weird, like running a little slower than the rest, dropping down in the water lower than the others and so forth, something is going on. Wait till that big fish hits your BOARD and never looks at your bait, lol, that’s hard to handle sometimes. But they are fun to use and catch fish with. Start out with one set and expand to more sets if you like them and can handle the aggravation of more sets. Lol.
After the first 20 min of using them i had thrown them down in the boat, cussed them, and even threw them in the lake once. Kinda thought i had been scammed and sold the wrong type of board. They come with no instructions…hahaha. It was very frustrating. Just remember this “clip to the tip” (release clip towards your rod tip).
color code your boards and rods, a lot easer to know witch one is witch at a glance. I make my own boards from noodles and fiberglass bathroom board , they are cheep and work well as well as haveing a lot of colors.
Appreciate the info. I think most of my fears and unknowns are under control and will proceed with just a basic Left/Right set. I should be better off than Murraymaker when he first hit the water with them and I think I have a decent idea as to where I want to be using them.
Here’s what I put when asked about the lead on Redi-rig cork. Same applies to boards:
For pulling, I use Redi-rig corks. They have a release and function like planers in that respect. Lead is usually average water depth I’m pulling +or- 5 or so feet. I’ll go longer without any buckshot on the line and slightly shorter with a splitshot. I’m not overly scientific but it works for me.
Speed is kept from .4-.7mph. Usually, the slower in I get in that range the better. However, speeding up and slowing down wildly can trigger strikes. You have to experiment sometimes to see what they want.