I haven't trolled much and have never used planer boards. I guess mainly because I hate the thought of fighting fish with the board hanging on the line. Is there any way to attach a planer board to a line attached directly to the boat (rear cleat) and have a clip on the planer board to which you would attach the fishing line? When fish hits it releases and you have only the fish on? Like a downrigger except out to the side. I am thinking something simple without a mast and all that. Possible?
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There was a post a bit ago on this very subject. I'll try to paste the link.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=136504"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=136504[/url]
I hope this helps to answer your question.
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Absolutely! Check out the link mentioned above. Look at the photos I posted. The boards are run out from the mast on heavier nylon line. The fishing line with bait is attached with a small snap release to the tow line or the board itself. When the fish takes the bait, the line is pulled free of the snap and the board. You then play the fish as normal. It works real slick!
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kd
I did read the whole string and looked at your pictures. It looks like an awesome setup. However, it might be too much for the limited amount of trolling that I do. Could you modify a small inline planer board to do work like those with your mast setup or would I need to make my own?
Thanks for your response!
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You could modify one and try it if you have one. If you don't have one, the home made boards are cheaper to make than the commercial ones are to buy. You wouldn't have to have a mast with reels on it just to try it out. You could probably just tie it to a forward cleat on your boat. You will need to keep the tow line from dragging in the water. The large boards pull away from the boat harder than the inline boards and would provide a more stable platform from which to drag your crank baits. This way they would pop free from the board better when you catch a fish. Also, you can attach more than one line to a large board. I have both types and use them both. There are "pros" and "cons" to both types.
Good Luck!
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Inline planer boards are just another tool that has advantages and di
vantages. Personally, I think the advantages and convenience of inline boards far outweigh mast/ski setup (in most Utah waters) or long lining out the back of the boat. Once you get the board in, it's just you and the fish for the last 50' or so of line.