Planer Boards

[toothpick]

I would like to hear from those who use planer boards for Crappie. How do you use them? where do you get them? Is everything needed included with them when you purchase them?

[SteveJ]

Here is a little info on boards.
http://crappie.com/content/view/38/2/

Mainly walleye but some good info.
http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?c=4

[J White]

I would like to hear from those who use planer boards for Crappie. How do you use them? where do you get them? Is everything needed included with them when you purchase them?

I run two out each side, with crankbaits.
The yellow Offshores are my preference, but Churchs are good too -
the Offshores come with a real nice little how-to card.
I use the method with two release clips, manually un-hook the board
as it comes in the boat when a fish is caught. If it don't now, after
seeing the card it will make sense.

Cabela's

They are usable as delivered, but I really like the "tattle flags"
and red clips, which come seperate -
unless you order a "pro pack" from Cabela's, it has a left and right
board, and the flag/clip kits for both, at a few dollars savings.

The price IS atrocious on these things, and it kind of makes me mad
that you can't buy them with the tattle flags already installed...
but by the time I made some (and got them working right) if I valued my
time I would be in the hole probably It's only a matter of a screwdriver
and a couple minutes to install them, but for the price they charge...

[toothpick]

Thanks Steve and Jeff. Your information is very helpful. Before I sink a few hundred dollars in Planer Boards, Line Counter Reels, Rods, etc., I wanted to hear from someone who has actually tried them. I used to fish with an elderly gentleman who would start the day at daylight casting for Bass, then about 9:00 a.m., would switch to trolling. We caught a lot of fish trolling. Since I gave up Bass fishing, I got rid of my Casting reels and Rods. I purchased a new 21' Fishing Pontoon with a 90 HP 4-stroke last year and want to try using it for trolling during the Summer. We keep the boat stored on lake Neely Henry and although I know a good bit about the lake, I think trolling will allow me to learn a lot more. I am switching my better electronics to the pontoon for the summer and plan on learning how to use the Lowrance GPS built into my LCX26cHD. Looks like Cabelas has a two pack of Offshore Planer Boards with the flags for about $100. This with a couple of Ugly Stick Rods or Cabela's Trolling Rods should get me started.