[skip brown]

Have read Mac's article on planer boards, thanks Mac. Was just wondering if some of you would share some info about what sizes, types and set ups you use with planer boards. Read where Mac was discussing slinkey weights and carolina rigs with planer boards. Is this a pretty hard setup to work? Any info or ideas are always appreciated.

 

[troller2]

Planer boards are a great way to cover more area while you power drifting or trolling. Attached are the planer boards I use and they work very well. They have an adjustable line tension release, very quick release in the rear when you want to remove them from your line, and an adjustable weight that you can slide to compensate for the weight of what you’re pulling. They are very easy to use. I use the same cat rig that Mac teaches. I cast out 75’ of line, attach the planer board and send one out 50'-55' off each side of the boat. In the summer I will only run one off each side because of the crazy boat traffic but in the winter I will troll with four planer boards. Hope that helps.

 

[skip brown]

Thanks for the help. Have been losing a lot of rigs trolling on the bottom (hanging up) and was hoping some people were rigging different and I could cut down on these. Still playing with combinations of different leader lengths and line test. The boards I was using were too small. Not many people sharing info on planner boards, so thanks again.

 

[Madtownangler]

They are more expensive, but Otter Boats seem to work better than planer boards. They don't tip over in waves as much.

 

[troller2]

The only time the planer boards that I use will tip over is if they come to a stop. Once the line tightens up they pick right back up. I power drift at a 1/2 mph for cats and troll 2.35mph using the same planer boards for stripers. When any wave goes by they don't skip a beat. Note they float well and are weighted at the bottom maybe thats why they work so well.

 

[TreednNC]

Exercising the search function and found this thread. What brand planers do you guys prefer? I like my anchor fishing but this power drifting is looking fun.

 

[bobs bait]

you can buy them and pay alot of money or make your own for almost nothing if anyone wants sum info came come by see what i make and go from there robert

 

[TreednNC]

Hey Bob, I might stop by one afternoon after work. I go by there and my parents live a half mile from ya. We've met before, you just dont remember me because life has been in the way of my catfishing for the last couple years. Used to live off Gabriel Street.

 

[BigBird]

Thanks for the help. Have been losing a lot of rigs trolling on the bottom (hanging up) and was hoping some people were rigging different and I could cut down on these. Still playing with combinations of different leader lengths and line test. The boards I was using were too small. Not many people sharing info on planner boards, so thanks again.

Shrewboy Rob from Huntersville makes mine. he makes the ones out of aluminum with the insulation foam on top. he could use the work.
i use the same drift rigs with braid and a heavy pressure release clip.
I asked Mac to train me up this past winter on planars. Didnt care whether we caught a thing. I have added a few things to the mix since.

 

[shrewboy]

Skip, I use to fish with Karl Emerson many years ago on lake Norman who made his own planner boards. They where alot like the ones in this link. United States Catfish Association - How to Build Your own Planer Boards Since then I've been making mine and some others for friends. You can get a wide spread with them at .5 mph. I paint them bright orange so other boaters can seem them. I get alot of rubber necking while fishing. With tight release clips, you don't loose the hold of the boards most of the time if you hit a snag. It's almost like jug fishing in a way. They can be a pain for a short to long while until you get use to them. I won't say they are better than Mac's, but in some ways I'm sure they have some better benifits. I also attach glow sticks to them so I know where they are as well as other boaters. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[BigBird]

Skip, I use to fish with Karl Emerson many years ago on lake Norman who made his own planner boards. They where alot like the ones in this link. United States Catfish Association - How to Build Your own Planer Boards Since then I've been making mine and some others for friends. You can get a wide spread with them at .5 mph. I paint them bright orange so other boaters can seem them. I get alot of rubber necking while fishing. With tight release clips, you don't loose the hold of the boards most of the time if you hit a snag. It's almost like jug fishing in a way. They can be a pain for a short to long while until you get use to them. I won't say they are better than Mac's, but in some ways I'm sure they have some better benifits. I also attach glow sticks to them so I know where they are as well as other boaters. PM me if you have any questions.

i made three improvements...i went to a tighter clip, added a threaded ring with holes (from stainless fittings cabinet at Lowes) and got rid of the d ring for the rear snap. the line gets caught in the d ring at times.