Willard & Planer board & stuff

[Marathonman]

First of all, thanks for the lure pics jmaz and from another BFT member - Paul. I'm going to try the bucktails on my lures next time.

Hit Willard after work, trolled with a silver shad rap and got my 1st & only 15 minutes out of the south marina. Some of you others recommended planers. I tried it for the 1st time.
The $29 one was larger and created more of a drag but steered away from my boat with a shorter line. The cheapy $10 was smaller but I could still see it pretty good. Since it created less a drag, I wonder if that would be more beneficial for not spooking the fish. It seems to be easier to detect hits since its smaller.

I missed another hit cuz I was spaced out, prob from a crappie. Next time I'll try to dropshot. I'll check out bassrods prev post.

Overall, didn't see a whole lot of fish in my finder. Next time, I'll have an extra pole rigged with light line for those under the boat.

Also ended up breaking my favorite rod, a backpack ugly stik. Only had it a year. I thought they were indestructible.
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[fish_or_die]

If a wiper hits you probably don't need to worry about detecting it, just hold on and don't let go! I've never had a wiper "nibble" before, which is why they're one of my very favorite fish! Congrats on your first one, that's a beaut!
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[UtahShooter]

Congratulations. Nice to get you first one isn't it?
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[Marathonman]

Thanks. Its my 2nd one.
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[Roghet]

[font "Arial"][#000000][size 2][quote Marathonman] Some of you others recommended planers. I tried it for the 1st time.
The $29 one was larger and created more of a drag but steered away from my boat with a shorter line. The cheapy $10 was smaller but I could still see it pretty good. Since it created less a drag, I wonder if that would be more beneficial for not spooking the fish. It seems to be easier to detect hits since its smaller.
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I did as you and got two different planers, to see which I liked. Mine were both the "Church" brand, but one was smaller than the other. The smaller less expensive one does fine if there is no wind and waves, but if there is - the larger one performs much better. Yeah, they can be a pain, and I just hate hoping I can get the board off before I lose the fish, but as in so many things, there are always trade offs.

Compared to a gas boat motor, an electric trolling motor, or even the boat itself cutting thru the water, do you really believe that the planar spooked the fish? I've heard it said that the boat and motor can move the fish out to right where the planers are. Heck, I've also heard stories of fish caught right in the turbulent water of the boat prop and wake! Gotta love the contrasting nature of trying to figure out a fishing situation that always seems to be changing! []
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[Marathonman]

Sportsmans warehouse didn't have the church brand so I ended up getting whatever they had. I notice that my electric motors lowest speed is a little too fast. My lures weren't getting down far enough because I didn't have deep divers. Next time I'll hang a bucket over to slow it down to the walleye zone.
The planers couldn't spook the fish more than the boat, thats for sure.
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[Roghet]

Yeah, I had to get my Church planers on the web. They came so highly recommended that I figured it was worth the wait. And at the price you mentioned, I won't be experimenting with another brand until one breaks! [laugh] Anything you like or dislike about the board you got?

I'd love to know your boat and specific electric motor, and going so fast. I was given a used electric with 46 lb thrust that's been my only experience on my boat. I can go from zero to about 1.8 mph. It's fantabulous for prospecting at Utah Lake for panfish or positioning silently, but darn I wish it could get me to 3+ mph to troll Willard for wipers and such. [cool]

With gas prices and trolling with a gas motor - I wonder if a bigger and better electric trolling motor would pay for itself?! []
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[Marathonman]

Definitely be less messy than a gas. Mines a 17lb thrust. It lasts a long time but lacks power and takes me a while to travel. Bad in windy wavy weather. I'm going to look into a church brand.
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[iconoclasticPaul]

Bucktails.... not too much because you wouldnt be able to set the hook so a little feather extending just half a inch beyond the treble does the trick.

It is normal for the planerboard to drag because that is how it stays straight up while pulling against the water. A stiff rod is best for this approach. Another thing you need to know... you should have about 20 to 30 ft of line behind the planerboard so the fish isnt disturbed by a yella thing overhead. All in all there should be about 50 or 60 ft of line between your reel and the lure. You can imagine the logistic of these numbers.

I wouldn't touch the cheap boards. I swear by the yella (29 bucks) ones. You should pay attention to the left and the right sides of the planer boards as is crucial to your fishing comforts from either side of your boat.
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