How Important are planer boards in the set up

[fishin` fool II]

Engine noise actually attracts fish. Offshore, some engines raise more fish than others. In fact. You can purchase a CD of engine noise from one of the winningest offshore Captains, play it through speakers arttached inside your hull and you will draw more fish.

[Freebirdsportfishing]

I was like you , always seeing all the other boats using planers and wondering. Well I decided to build a pair. Though we still cautch a lot of fish of the sides and back of the boat , we also catch a lot of fish on the planer boards. At least one fish on every trip is caught off the planers. I troll to lines on each side with them and do think that it helps you catch more fish. If I can find the site that I got the blueprints off of I will send it to you. They are not difficult to build.

Tight Lines

Capt. Al
Freebird Sportfishing
Queenstown

[Harry]

Four rods with baits in the right zone will certainly compete with 10 rods spaced all over he**s half acre. We did it 30 years ago and by far its less hassle and just as rewarding. The average rec boat fishes 2-3 people so it's beyond my feeble understanding why 10 or more rods are needed to catch a few fish. On the other hand 6-pack charters have a higher limit and need to entertain their clients. Besides fishing in a bunch of planer boards in an area crowded with boats is not my idea of having fun. In the Spring fish are scattered over wide areas so the best strategy is to find your own fish away from the crowds. Second and very important, fish the feeding times if posible to improve your success rate. Third, skunks are normal this time of year even for the seasoned bay angler- I just enjoy the blessing of our resourse we are very fortunate[smile]

[DrBee]

This is the first year I used planners......I haven't hooked that many more fish than my 7rod spread......You may get six fish instead of 4 with planners.....but skunks require a look at something else......check out Wayne Morgan's spread.....I catch many fish 75 and 100 ft...directly of the transom.....using umbrellas Large...with 16 oz. and 10 oz weights with 4 oz. parachutes behind.....Green and white

[catman]

i agree with Harry and Bee. why hassle with planer boards with 3-4 fisherman. i basicly pull waynes spread(personalized somewhat) and catch plenty of fish. i tried the planers and found them too much hassle for catch ratio difference. eleven lines is plenty for a rec. boat. if your zigging and zagging, your not pulling the lures behind the boat. they are off to the side.