Planer boards....

[Greg]

Good morning all,

We are 38 days away from our trip and like usual, it is all i think about.  I also start thinking about fishing techniques and usually experiment with something new/different every year... I want to purchase and use planer boards but have never done so - I am going to watch some YouTube videos later on today but was wondering whats the groups experience?  Tips? Techniques? Recommendations?  Is it even worth it??

I will have 3 people in my boat for part of our trip this year so wanted to try some to see if it changes any of our approach/success factor.

Any thoughts welcome!

Thx   Greg  ...38 days

[Hodgey1]

Hey Greg.  I can not comment on planners at Kipawa, but using them on a friends boat last season on Lake Erie was impressive. His wife drives the boat and he does all the rigging. I think he was running 6 lines. Two out at each side and two out the back. When I saw this configuration I expected tangled line chaos, when a fish was hooked. That was not the case. He would watch for a tripped release then allow it to come up and beyond the other lines then hand off for retrieval. There was time when doubles were going, he seemed always to be rerigging and he was a pro to watch, A rigging ballet! We had our boat limit of 24 nice walleye in under 2 hours. As for its use on Kipawa, I would say if you are a successful troller now at Kipawa, the planners are going to improve things for theses reasons.

• Getting more lines away from the boat/motor wash
• Getting more lines in the water

The negatives I see.

• More work for Greg
• Less beer holding for Greg
• More equipment for Greg to buy and haul to Canada

My $.02 or $.014 Canadian 

I just thought of this...…. Quebec's one pole for each man...… Strike the more lines in the water advantage please.

[Greg]

Haha.  Thx for the thoughts and experiences Hodgey.

I am thinking about using planers to run shallow and closer to shore and run a deeper crank bait farther out (as you say avoid the motor wash).

Greg

[smitty55]

Greg those small hotshot side planers should be perfect for what you want. No need to use those much larger Offshore Tackle ones.  https://www.rapala.com/luhr-jensen/trolling-accessories/hot-shot-side-planer/hot-shot-side-planer/5640-000-0625.html

Cheers

[Rico]

I use my boards to troll close to the shoreline. I can run my bait close to shore in shallower water while keeping the boat out in safer water away from rocks. Works great.

[Greg]

Thx Smitty and Rico - exact sort of feedback I was looking for.

Greg

[Rico]

Greg. I use the Offshore in line boards with the or18 releases which are better for braided line and deep diving crank baits. I have mine setup so that when a fish is on I reel in line to the board, take off the board, then finish bringing in the fish. I know it sounds like a hassle but after a couple of times you'll be fine. One last thing, the Offshore boards are directional, (port or starboard side of the boat).

[Greg]

Thx Rico!

[BigChief]

@Greg I have been thinking about trying these myself up there. Let me know how it goes. I won't be able to make it up this year so stocking up on tackle for 2020.