QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. What is the best way to put the line into a release?
A. Assuming that you are using a pinch pad style release, such as the Off Shore, I prefer to put a loop of line into the release. Place the loop of line to the rear portion of the release pads. This is the preferred method for hard hitting fish. For walleye and other light biters, pinch about 1/4 inch of line between your thumb and fore finger, and insert into the center of the pads.
Q. How much bend should there be in the rod when set on a downrigger?
A. Generally, on hard striking fish such as salmon, we put a lot of bend in the rod. We do this because the line is buried deep into the release pads for maximum holding power and to pick up the slack line faster on the strike.
On light hitting fish such as walleye, we put a very slight bend in the rod. This is done because the line is set very light in the release pads. It is also easier to detect a fish mouthing the bait.
Q. What pound test line do you recommend for downrigger fishing?
A. Any line type or pound test will work, however we prefer 17# to 30# premium monofilament line for salmon, stripers, and other hard hitting fish. For walleye, 10# to 17# premium monofilament works great.
Q. How much weight can your in line side planer boards support for running snap weights?
A. I recommend staying under 3 ounces for walleye until you have some time on the boards. Heavier weights will sink the board but it will come up when you start moving forward.
Q. What rod and reel combo would you recommend for the following conditions? I'm trolling Oklahoma lakes for Walleye, Stripers and hybrids using 12 to 14 pound monofilament line usually trolling no deeper than 20 feet. Only using snap weights occasionally off of your Side Planers. I've been using spinning reels with 6 1/2 foot ugly stick with medium action. My line twists too much with the spinning reel and the rod seems to be a little limber. What do you suggest?
A. I would recommend a good level wind reel so you can keep track of how much line you have out. Of course a line counter reel would be the best and you will go to them eventually. You can count passes to know your line length in the meantime.
Rods are not real important. I use a downrigger type rod; however, there are rods specifically for planer boards. Anything in the 7 to 8 1/2 foot range with a fairly stiff backbone would be fine.
The line test your using of 12 to 14 pounds is perfect. Remember, the key to trolling is being able to repeat the exact setup you caught the first fish on. Anything you can do to help there will get you more fish in the boat.
Q. We have been using your OR-2 Medium Tension Stacker Downrigger Releases for years and have found them to break at the same point where the two are clipped together. What are we doing wrong?
A. Breakage occurs when the clip to the downrigger cable was placed above the snap that lets it slide down the cable when released. When the OR-2 is used properly (as per the directions on the packaging), you will not have this breakage. Always follow the directions supplied with our products.
Q. Can you run more than one line off of the in line boards?
A. No, in lines are meant to only run on one line per board. To run multiple lines off of a planer board, you would need to have a Riviera mast and dual planer board system.
Q. Can diving disks be used on the leader end of the in line board instead of lead sinkers?
A. Yes, we use the smaller version of the Dipsey Diver for Walleye.
Q. What controls how far out to the side of the boat the in line boards run?
A. The amount of line you let out will control the distance the board will run out to the side of the boat.
Q. What release do you recommend for pulley dipsey's off of dual planer boards?
A. I recommend using the OR-17 Medium Tension Planer Board Release that comes in a 24 pack.
Q. I put on the OR-12TF Tattle Flag Upgrade Kit on my Side Planers. The problem I am running into is that I fish both during the day and at night and I don't want to have to remove all of the parts of the tattle flag upgrade to run the boards with the OR-12NL Night Lights for night fishing. What do you suggest?
A. All you have to do is tighten up the screw that will hold your flag perpendicular to the Side Planer, clip your night light on and your good to go. Then when you want to use the tattle flag set up in the day, just remember to loosen up the screw just enough so the flag can move freely.
Q. I am losing the slack line between the releases while trolling in big waves with your Side Planers, what can I do to remedy this problem?
A. You can wrap the line around the tow arm release or if you fish in big waves a lot, you can replace the tow arm release with an OR-18 Snapper Adjustable Release. You didn't mention what pound test you are using but I would suggest 12 pound or even 15 pound monofilament on those big open water areas.
Q. Why don't you include the pigtail and speed bead in with each OR-12L or OR-12R Side Planer?
A. The Side Planers are ready to use as they come out of the package. There are about 20 different ways to rig them and we can't include every way to attach the boards or most anglers would have a lot of spare parts they don't need and/or complaining they were getting charged for items unnecessary to them. No matter how we do it, someone always want to have it different so we try to package our products the way MOST anglers would be using them. You can always use a good snap swivel if you don't want to purchase a pigtail or you can put a barrel swivel on the line instead of a speed bead.
Q. I am using the Side Planers with large baits and sometimes the boards do not seem to be running properly. What could be causing this?
A. Always make sure the release is mounted properly on the board. Make sure that you are letting out enough line so each board will be running back (not straight out to the side) about 60 degrees from the boat. Your rod should be as high as possible so you are not dragging any line in the water.
Q. Why is the OR-12NL Night Light not designed for use with the tattle flag set up?
A. While fishing in the dark, you can't see the movement of the tattle flag so it won't aide in catching fish. The OR-12NL Night Light just allows you to keep an eye on where your boards are running in the dark.