PapaJ Loc: South of Greenville, TX. Near Lake Tawakoni

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I learned a lot about drift fishing on my trip. One of the things that I learned a little bit about was the use of planers to separate multiple lines while drifting. I suppose they could also be used for trolling. Anyway, my first question is how do you land a fish if you are out by yourself and using planers? Yesterday it was a multiple person, multiple hand task to remove the planer from the line and then land the fish. It would seem to me that if fishing by yourself, like I frequently do, there would be a lot of slack in the line while disconnecting and potential for losing the fish.

Suggestions and insight appreciated.

jps

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Never used planers so I'll watch and learn

GLA Loc: WA State

I haven't tried it, but I know folks use separate lines for their planer boards so that the fish hits and releases the fishing line from the board. Then after you're done fighting the fish, you can bring the planer back to the boat and reconnect it to the fishing line. Some folks will connect the planer board line to a line counter bait caster. Good Luck!

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Might want to U tube that one Papa. Interesting topic

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Not sure what kind of planers you have, but the ones I use I have a 60lb leader on it so I can put the rod in the rod holder and hand line it in the boat.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

It is definitely nice for someone else to quickly grab the board once it reaches the boat and remove it for you...

Most folks use "in-line" planer boards, but you can also deploy a slightly more sophisticated version that always stays outbound, and you have a "clothes line" tethered to it from the boat with release clips on the cord line that hold/pinch your actual rod line. The latter style is probably best used for trolling.

It may depend a little bit on the brand, but as long as you are "quick", it is definitely possible to release the planer board alone, and still get your fish (mine come off in about 3 seconds once they are in your hand). That being said...there is a brief moment where there would be some slack, but if you are doing catfish, I think they tend to be pretty well hooked anyways?

I use a brand from "Church Tackle". They are orange and come in at least 3 sizes. Some folks like a brand called "Yellow Bird" too...and there are a few others out there. For the type of drift you were doing, I suspect that they were small ones...perhaps the size of a dollar bill or less. They are also designated to run on either "port or starboard" when deployed. You definitely do not want a planer board to "come undone" and slide down to bonk the fish on the head...because then you are not only fighting the fish...but the planer board too as it wallows in the fighting wake. When bringing a board into the boat, do your best to keep the rod arched high and keep the board out of the water as much as possible once a fish is hooked. By the way, once a fish is on, the board will stop running outbound and tend to go back towards the rear center of a boat when trolling. I suspect that depending on the strength of current or wind you are drifting in, a similar effect would be expected.

My advice would be to get one or 2 and give it a try! Remember to get one of each...port...starboard...and good luck! They are a very useful innovation when trolling multiple lines and running a wide swath of water away from the boat itself.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I’ve got planer boards that disconnect when hooked up by means of a clip. After landing fish just go back and retrieve your board
I haven’t been able to find any clips I like. I tie a rubber band to the line at distance I want , and then clip this rubber band to the planer

PapaJ Loc: South of Greenville, TX. Near Lake Tawakoni

Ben,

So fish on disconnects the board completely? Interesting.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

I'm interested also. You got any info on them Ben.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I was of the impression that they all worked that way.

trlittle Loc: Chico CA

There is, but it can be done if you are careful