Thread: Planer Boards

Guys, when I posted the link for the Opti boards at Northwoods, I had no intention of stepping on any toes or stirring up any controversy. I found those boards at a good price and have been happy with their performance. By posting that, I hoped somebody who wouldn't be inclined or able to spend more $$ on the other brands might be able to spring for those and try a new technique.

I am self-employed and struggling in this economy. I appreciate when I'm able to save a few bucks on an item that I might or might not use regularly. I appreciate quality in a tool when it is one I will use daily to make my living. I also buy some tools at Harbor Freight that I might use once a month or once a year. I know they are not the same quality but since I'm rarely using it, I can make do with lesser quality/price. Same thought applies to the planers.

I realize some here are sponsored by companies or receive discounts on some manufacturers stuff. I would be pushing that stuff also. I'm one of those who is using a boat that is 15 years old with an engine that is almost 20 years old. I had to settle for the smaller screen electronics because that is all I could afford but I make it all work for me.

I have 4 Off-Shore mini boards in my boat as well as a pair of Church minis. They all work fine for my application. I also have 4 of the Optis and so far have been happy with them. I just want folks to think about dissing a product that some may be happy with. We could all diss the Okuma reels, B&M rods, and many other items we use most every trip to the lake that are also built in China. I buy US when I can but don't lose any sleep if I have a Chinese crank bait (Bandits are now built in China) tied on line that was made in China that is tied onto a reel that was made in China that is mounted on a rod that was made in China.

I asked about what happens to the board because I have a couple of "sidewinder" boards from a Canada fly in trip and the line runs through them so when you pull line out of release they slide down the line to a swivel to which is attached a leader and bait. Looks like both clips on other boards are designed to release. Or do they only release from one while the line runs freely through the other one? Then there are a gazillion types of release. Which one and why?

I set all of mine up so they will slide down the line to within a few feet of the hooks. Some of them I've added a snap swivel so this will happen. On some of the mini boards, it takes some effort to get the line to release so they will slide down. Sometimes I have to release them at the boat while reeling the fish in.

Originally Posted by mrdux

Guys, when I posted the link for the Opti boards at Northwoods, I had no intention of stepping on any toes or stirring up any controversy. I found those boards at a good price and have been happy with their performance. By posting that, I hoped somebody who wouldn't be inclined or able to spend more $$ on the other brands might be able to spring for those and try a new technique.

I am self-employed and struggling in this economy. I appreciate when I'm able to save a few bucks on an item that I might or might not use regularly. I appreciate quality in a tool when it is one I will use daily to make my living. I also buy some tools at Harbor Freight that I might use once a month or once a year. I know they are not the same quality but since I'm rarely using it, I can make do with lesser quality/price. Same thought applies to the planers.

I realize some here are sponsored by companies or receive discounts on some manufacturers stuff. I would be pushing that stuff also. I'm one of those who is using a boat that is 15 years old with an engine that is almost 20 years old. I had to settle for the smaller screen electronics because that is all I could afford but I make it all work for me.

I have 4 Off-Shore mini boards in my boat as well as a pair of Church minis. They all work fine for my application. I also have 4 of the Optis and so far have been happy with them. I just want folks to think about dissing a product that some may be happy with. We could all diss the Okuma reels, B&M rods, and many other items we use most every trip to the lake that are also built in China. I buy US when I can but don't lose any sleep if I have a Chinese crank bait (Bandits are now built in China) tied on line that was made in China that is tied onto a reel that was made in China that is mounted on a rod that was made in China.

I agree

Opti's with tattle flag---18.99
Offshore with cheaper flag kit--32.98

Almost 2 for 1, and I bet they work great on my Chinese reels, my Chinese rods, and my Chinese cranks. I would prefer made in the USA, but for half price--get REAL.

Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

I asked about what happens to the board because I have a couple of "sidewinder" boards from a Canada fly in trip and the line runs through them so when you pull line out of release they slide down the line to a swivel to which is attached a leader and bait. Looks like both clips on other boards are designed to release. Or do they only release from one while the line runs freely through the other one? Then there are a gazillion types of release. Which one and why?

You Tube shows both techniques.

Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

what happens to the board when you hook up??? what keeps it on the line?? Either it releases or it stays put. Which?

With a planerboard and mast setup---- Planerboard line (heavy Dacron) is tied directly to boards. A shower curtain ring with a release is then clipped to the planerboard line (set crank the distance back, then place shower curtain ring on planerboard line and clip fishing line in, then let out a little fishing line to set the width (the ring slides out to the board)). When a fish strikes the fishing line is released and you reel in the fish as normal. Occasionally smaller fishes won't release but a quick upward snap of the rod will cause the line to release.



With a inline planerboard---- The planerboard is attached directly to the fishing line (through a ring) and also a release is used. When a fish hits, the release trips and the planerboard quits pulling and slides down the fishing line (via the ring).

You can set it up either way. I prefer to not let them release and take the board off at the boat. With the OR-34 Mini boards, you want to twist a loop in the line and pinch the loop in the release. That will make it easy to trip by just giving the line a little snap. I use the OR-16 release on the back, which holds the board in place after it is tripped. A pin in the center of the pad keeps it securely attached to the line. Heres how I rig them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcBT_Z-lUvs

Originally Posted by cray

Tommy, got a question. What type and size line do you use pulling these boards?

I use 10 pound Trilene XT which is a monofilament. It is the same line (diameter is important) that they used when originally compiling the Precision Trolling dive curves.