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Question and Answer Categories are:
RELEASES
Q. 081213. I just bought OR18's to replace the releases
on a church walleye boards (sorry but I have had them for
years). Anyway, the pins and holes don't match up and I
was wondering if you had any advice for the installation.
A. I have never done that, but I think changing
the bracket to the Off Shore bracket would solve the problem.
Q. 072413. Would the OR18 Snapper Release work well
as a downrigger release or is a person better off sticking
to the pinch pad type?
A. We have had some anglers use the OR18 Snapper
like this but we have not tested them ourselves. I use the
OR8 Heavy Tension Single Downrigger Release (red) that has
the long cable and pull everything I have ever fished with
off downriggers.
Q. 061713. What release do I use when trolling your
OR12 Side Planers and using super line?
A. I am not a fan of super lines when trolling with
boards; I prefer to use 10-15# mono. If you are using super
lines, then I recommend the OR18 Snapper and even then,
on rough days you should wrap the line around the Snapper.
When putting the line in the tail (OR16) clip of the board,
be sure to put the line behind the pin protruding through
the middle of the pad. When reeling the board in with a
fish on it, point the rod at the board until it is about
6' from the rod tip. Then lift the rod and be sure not to
let the board back in the water because it will dive.
Q. 061413. What downrigger release do you suggest
using when running super lines?
A. My preferred release for super lines (don't use
them often!), would be the OR8 and put a twist in the line
where it goes into the pads. Make a loop in the line and
spin it a few times, then pinch the coils you have formed.
That will keep the line from sliding through and cutting
the pads.
Q. 061413. How do I keep my super line from sliding
through my OR18 Snapper Release?
A. Try twisting the super line and putting the coil
in the release. I make a loop in the line and then spin
it between thumb and forefinger to make some coils and put
that in the Snapper.
Q. 061013. I've been trying to use your boards the
last two outings and still have problems with it slipping
back or even completely off the line. We fish with braided
line out of Lake Erie for walleye. We are thinking of purchasing
the OR18 replacement release but wanted your recommendation
before we purchased them.
A. You can either wrap the front OR19 (orange) release
with the line or use the OR18. Braid is a pain for all release
makers and we have found the OR18 does the best. You can
adjust the screw in the bottom of the OR18 to increase tension,
but just do it a 1/8 turn at a time. My real recommendation
would be to use 15# P-Line!
Q. 060713. I'm having issues with the clips on my
OR12 planer boards with the tattle flag setup. On 5 of my
6 boards the OR16 clip pads are stuck together. This makes
getting the line between them near impossible. Weak adhesive?
I have also lost 3 nylon nuts. Please let me know if other
customers are having the same issues and what can be done
to resolve them. As far the overall performance of the boards,
I have been very pleased as they pull true and put me on
more fish!
A. The usual cause of the pads sticking is not putting
something between them during long storage periods. I usually
put a business card or something like that in mine. Best
way to loosen them up is to torque them slightly sideways
to break the friction loose.
Each board came with a screw and spare nut on each bracket
to use to replace the ones you may lose. Make sure you check
tightness prior to setting the board out each time as the
instructions indicate. If you want to get a lock nut instead,
they are 6 x 32 and available in stainless at most marine
or hardware stores.
Q. 060413. I was watching Babe Winkleman and Mr.
DeShano use the OR34 boards on Saginaw Bay running spinners
in the weeds with guppy weights. What was the red clip they
used on the tail of the board? I have the pro snap weight
OR16 clips, is this what they were using? Mine don't have
a pin protruding through the middle of the pads to put the
line behind though. Do you put the line behind the pin so
it can slide down to the weight rather than fall off the
line? I just bought these boards this spring, they are a
little different to set than my other OR12's that I have
used for years. Were they using mono or super line on the
show?
A. The OR16 is the clip we use. If you have OR16's
without pins, they are VERY old and a collectors item! Lol!
We don't let them slip, just put the line in the OR10 (yellow)
release about 1/2 way. The red OR16 clip is the one that
the line goes behind the pin, and when a fish hits, give
the rod a snap towards the motor and the yellow (OR10) will
release allowing the board to swing around and you land
the fish. We were using 12# mono on Babe's rods. We only
used 12-15' of line behind the board and kept the boards
pretty close to the boat since we were fishing a narrow
group of weeds.
Q. 031413. I am looking for a clip that has an anti-release
capability that I can use trolling. I attach them to torpedo
divers and use them for a little extra weight when running
monster flatfish on Great Bear Lake. If I use the anti-release
ones, then I can run my weight wherever I want on my line
(kind of like a movable three way). I had two and lost them
last year to rocks and I can't figure out which ones I had
bought.
A. The only thing we have close to what you're looking
for is our OR16 (red) clip. It has a pin that protrudes
through the middle of the pads that when you put the line
behind the pin, it keeps the line from coming out.
Q. 110612. I was wondering if you could tell me
which of your planer board releases would be best on Lake
Erie walleye using braid?
A. I am assuming you are meaning the OR12 Side Planer.
If so, the OR18 Snapper is the best. If you use the OR19
which is orange or OR16 (red) you need to wrap the line
around the pads.
Q. 050112. I am having trouble with 250 # braided
line being used as downrigger cable. The line slips through
the release when we use your OR2 Medium Tension Stacker
Downrigger Release as we can multi-task with them on other
applications. Accordingly, because the braided line is so
slick, we have to rubber band them to get them to hold.
Those that are not tight enough slip and cause the pads
to become grooved and not hold at all. We are replacing
the pads as time allows but perhaps if this braided line
becomes an accepted replacement for steel cable, some thought
may be needed regarding a tougher pad that is abrasion resistant
to the braided line. It's just a suggestion and I as a charter
boat captain I for one would welcome this innovation.
A. I don't know if that will ever catch on. I think
the consumer will find the cost prohibitive even though
it is a good way to go. You might try our OR18 (Snapper)
for the clip that goes on the wire. Even with that, if you
slip it through the cable (line), even a little, it is going
to grove the pads. If a clip was a solid clamp on the braided
line, it would damage it if you ever ran the clip to the
top of the rigger or had it slide from a snag or something.
As a captain, you're used to maintenance as I was for my
20+ years on the Great Lakes and this is one of those items.
Q. 031412. I'm new to planer boards and thought
I'd give them a try. Cabela's has a combo (2 planer boards
with OR19 releases and OR12TF Tattle Flag Upgrade Kits)
that I would like to purchase. We troll for salmon and lake
trout and use 65 lb. super line with mono or fluorocarbon
leaders.
Are the OR19 releases suitable for super line or do I need
the OR18's?
Can I use the OR18's with the Tattle Flag Kits? Do I really
need the tattle flag kits?
If I wanted to use your OR20 Pro Weight system with 65 lb.
super line, do I need OR18 releases for that as well?
A. Yes, you should have the OR18's for super line.
They work great. My boards are set up this way. Do not use
tattle flags for salmon fishing. The OR16's that come with
the OR20 Pro Weight System will work fine for 65 lb. super
line; make sure you put the line behind the pin protruding
through the center of the pad.
Q. 020412. I fish Lake Erie for walleye & steelhead
using full size dual planer boards with 30# braid line and
the OR3 (white) full size planer board releases. The braid
slips through the releases. Is this the wrong release or
are the pads in need of being replaced?
A. First I would try putting a loop in the line,
twisting it between your fingers and pinching the coil in
the release. If this doesn't work for you, switch to the
full size OR17 Medium Tension Planer Board Release (black)
or the orange OR19 mini clip. Again, spinning a loop and
pinching the coil is always a good way of using our releases
with any of the super lines.
Q. 112811. Would the OR8 Heavy Tension Single Downrigger
Release work to hold 50 or 65 lb. super braid line while
pulling a flasher rather deep (lots of drag)? If not, any
suggestions on which of your releases would be best
A. This is what we designed the OR8 for. We pull
large lake trolls (5-7 big blades), rotators and flashers
as well as #1 dodgers while using it. The 18" cable
on it will take up the throb of the big flasher and cushion
the stress from them.
Q. 071511. What model of board release do you recommend
for 6 lb. test mono fishing for kokanee at around 30' to
50' deep?
A. I would recommend the OR14 (black) mini release
on the OR12 Side Planers.
Q. 070711. As you may know sockeye have very soft
mouths. Your OR8 is too strong and your OR2, even set light,
very often does not release. We tried the scotty with the
duel setting which they claim are suited for socks, but
half the time they do not readily release. After reading
the description of the OR1 & OR4 it is difficult to
determine which would be best suited. The suggested line
is the same, so do you have a line release test for them,
or tests for sockeye?
A. My recommendation for sockeye would be the OR4
(white). One thing you might want to try with any release
on this type of fish is to fold the line on your finger
and give it a couple of twists and place the twisted part
in the pads. This will allow a crisp release from either
the fish or by you from the boat.
Q. 060211. I need a heavier release. Will the OR30
hold more weight without releasing than the OR19? Any idea
what each release weight is for reference?
A. Are you using them with a Planer Board Mast and
Dual or Triple Planer Board set up or on OR12 Side Planeroards?
They will definitely hold more weight but are considerably
larger.
Q. 053011. I have been having trouble getting the
spring tension on my OR12 that has been upgraded with the
OR12TF Tattle Flag Kit. I have the spring at the tightest
tension (connected to the bottom hole on the board nose)
and still when running cranks or bottom bouncers, the flag
is staying down. What else can I do to correct this problem?
A. Do you have slack line between the OR16 clips?
The slack line is what allows the flag to move freely; this
is why we ask. If yes, then your next option would be to
remove the spring from the hole in the flag and place it
around the stem of the flag above where it was. When running
heavy bouncers and larger cranks, this gives you a little
more tension.
Q. 031011. I have never used planer boards before
and I am not sure what I need. We fish for bass and walleye
mostly but they do have stripers were we fish (Bull Shoals
& Lake Arkansas). I am interested in the planer boards
as well as the tadpoles. How do I determine whether I need
right or left and what type of releases do you recommend
for 10-20 lb. mono and fluorocarbon. How do the tadpoles
work? What causes the release once a strike has occurred?
Would a snag or bouncing on bottom cause a release?
A. Both the OR12 Side Planer and the OR34 Mini Planer
will work for striper. We have several videos and articles
on our website for even more info, but I will give you quick
overview.
The OR34 works with live bait for stripers very well, just
put the shad on with little or no weight and let it out
slowly to the side. They are easily reversible from right
to left.
The OR12 has been designed for salmon, walleye and striper
when using heavier weights or larger crank baits. Again,
you let the lure out to get to the desired depth and pinch
it on the line. They are designated as Left and Right so
you will need one for each side (or 2 for each side). You
will not have to change releases on either product for most
applications.
The Tadpoles trip when a fish pulls on the lure which is
being run on a leader 1' to 4' behind the Tadpole. It will
not trip if you bounce the Tadpole on the bottom, but if
you snag the lure, it will. The line slides down from the
bend in the Tadpole and releases the drag from the wide
flat lip that makes it dive. If the fish gets loose, the
Tadpole will reset and begin diving again. You should bring
it in and check it though for clean lures or bitten off
night crawlers.
This is pretty simple, but once you start fishing them
you will find they are easy and catch fish.
Q. 030311. I am having hard water build up on the
pads of my releases?
A. This is a new one to me. I need more information
about this to be able to help. I would think a mild soapy
water mixture and clear water rinse would be adequate, but
I have never known anyone with a problem like your mentioning.
Q. 022411. I am considering the purchase of your
OR12 Side Planer. Most of my trolling gear is rigged with
15 or 20 lb. power pro. Do I need to purchase the OR18 Adjustable
Tension Snapper Releases, or will the standard releases
supplied with the package work as well? I normally fish
for brown, rainbows, and occasionally fresh water hybrid
striped bass.
A. If you are not fishing on a huge lake like Ontario,
you can probably get by with the orange OR19 that comes
with the OR12 Side Planer. The OR16 (red) and OR19 have
the same spring tension with the only difference is the
pin in the center of the OR16. You can always put a wrap
around the OR19 release on the bracket when using them with
power pro as well; however, the OR18 Snapper is specifically
designed for super line use.
Q. 012611. I troll for muskie on Lake St. Clair
and troll at an average of 4.8 to 5.2 mph. We are running
large lures typical to muskie trolling. Can you recommend
a release that we should use?
A. We make an OR30 (red) full size planer board
release that has 2 springs in it. This comes with a quick
clip (shower curtain hook).
Q. I just started using the OR10 for pier fishing
as it seems to be the smallest size release available locally.
I rigged a device to attach it directly to the rod while
keeping the bail open. My question is, do you have anything
with a lighter grip on the line for something like this?
A. You have the smallest and lightest release we
make. Did you try moving the spring back away from the pads?
That will cut the tension in half.
Q. I bought some OR18's for use with fire line for
trolling walleye. Do you only install the OR18 on the bracket
or replace both releases?
A. The OR18 on the bracket is the way to go. I leave
the OR16 on the back.
Q. Some of the walleye pros are using only one release
(OR18 Snapper Adjustable Tension Release) on the OR12 Side
Planers so I thought I would try it on your OR34 Mini Planer
Board. My question is, can the OR18 Snapper Release be used
on the OR34 Mini Planer Board?
A. I would not advise using the OR18 on the OR34
Mini Planer. It is too heavy and we have found that even
the OR14 is heavy enough for any application we could think
of for the Mini. If you're worried about the board coming
off, use the OR16 Pro Weight Clip. This board is so small
and light that using the OR18 is overkill.
Q. I fish the Mississippi river and use 6 and 8lb
Berkley Crystal for walleye. Will the clips hold braided
line? If so what do you recommend?
A. The OR19 (orange) release or OR16 (red) clip should
hold that. If not, we make an OR18 (Snapper) that will hold
anything!
Q. I'd like to know out of all your different types
of releases, what is the best release or clip for brown
trout and walleye fishing on the Great Lakes and which one
holds your line best?
A. The best way to learn about our releases and
clips is on our website. Each model is explained as well
as how to apply them.
The heavier the release or clip, the stronger it will hold
the line. On the mini clips (OR10, OR14, OR19 and OR16),
you can move the spring for about a 40-50% change in tension
to fit most needs.
Q. I use 30 lb Power Pro and 20/30 lb fire Line with
my OR18 Snapper Release on my OR12 boards. I have used them
on only four fishing trips. Until the last trip everything
was working well when one of the releases kept slipping
down the line to the bead. So what can I do to prevent this?
Which way do you push the top lever? Forward or backward?
A. There is a small screw underneath the jaws. Put
the lever in the open position and turn the screw clockwise
about 1/4 turn. Try it on the line again and see if that
holds. Do not tighten the screw anymore than you have to
in order to hold the line in place. This should do it.
Q. On your planer board releases there are two holes
on the releases where the quick clips go on. What is the
purpose for the two holes? Should only the outer one be
used?
A. Yes, you should use the outer hole. That is the
one with the brass eyelet. The other hole is for different
applications and once it was put in the tooling it stayed
there.
Q. I am really new at this. I am going to be pier
fishing for king mackerel this coming weekend. I have a
13 ft tall fishing pole with a reel that has 50 lb. test
line on it that I am going to be using for my anchor line.
Basically I will be casting out as far as I can with a weighted
anchor that will let the fishing line act as a zip line.
I will be using a deep sea rod with live bait to catch the
fish. I will use the anchor line (zip line) to lower the
line with the live bait to the water, so that I can have
the bait about 3 to 5 feet down in the water. I was wondering
if I can use the OR1 to attach the line with the live bait
to the anchor line, and if it would still release the baited
line from the anchor line when the mackerel gets hooked
by the baited fish?
A. Yes, that should work. Keep the anchor line as
tight as possible. Are you going to have to pull the anchor
line in each time? If not, you should be able to slide the
release down for the next set.
Q. We have been using your OR2 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 OR2 is used properly (as
per the directions on the packaging), you will not have
this breakage. Always follow the directions supplied with
our products. You can also find the instructions on this
site under the Instructions tab.
Q. While watching the Best Chance Too Fishing Tips
DVD this past weekend, Bill and Dave mentioned using your
offshore clip for running fixed sliders. This clip would
be clipped to the monofilament that runs to the pole. What
Off Shore clip do you recommend? I am guessing that I should
use the OR16 or OR19. Which of these snaps is smaller and
has heavier tension?
A. You could use either the orange OR19 or the black
OR14. The OR19 has heavier tension while the OR14 will probably
do the job as a fixed slider. While some use the OR16, I
don't recommend it. The OR16 has a pin protruding through
the center of the pad and cannot be tripped from the line
easily. The OR16 and the OR19 have the same heavy tension
and all 3 are the same size.
Q. I am purchasing a set of planer boards and I need
some clarification about the releases. I use 30lb PowerPro
and I usually fish for walleye. Can I use the OR18 Adjustable
Snapper Release for all fishing conditions or do you recommend
having a variety?
A. The Snapper (OR18) would be the ticket for that application
and for mono as well. You may have to tighten the screw
in the bottom of the Snapper a little for the slippery PowerPro.
Tighten the screw about 1/4 turn at a time.
Q. I wanted to ask what planer boards and releases
you would recommend for in line trolling for muskie? We
use mostly 80lb braid with an occasional 65lb braid and
"medium" diving 8"-12" crankbaits. Troll
speed is around 3.5-4 mph. Any information on what products
and how to do an initial set up would be greatly appreciated.
A. I would use the OR31 (orange) Side Planer SST.
The OR31 comes with an OR19 release and I would give that
a try; if it did not handle the size lure you're using,
then get the Snapper Release (OR18). I think the way the
OR31 comes should work though.
Q. My buddy is getting started in walleye trolling
and purchased four of your snapper releases for his Off
Shore planer boards. The problem is, when the releases are
tightened enough to hold on FireLine, they are very difficult
to release. Any suggestions? I have older snapper releases
on older Off Shore boards and don't seem to have that problem.
A. We haven't made any changes on the Snappers.
Q. I was wondering if you would sell me a set of
6 Off Shore planer boards, pre-rigged with the tattle flag
and the adjustable clamp-down clips. I have looked into
buying all of this separately; however, it gets very pricey
and is a lot of work to set all of that up. Why don't you
offer them that way "off-the-shelf"?
A. We do not specially make up the pre-rigging assemblies
due to the fact that we need to stay within what our retailers
sell and have available (which limits SKU's). Usually we
have found that most anglers use the boards with different
setups during different fishing adventures. So when they
purchase the accessories, they still have all of the original
equipment to use under different situations that would produce
more fish for them. The boards were on the market long before
the tattle flag system and then the OR18's came out so this
is another reason for not packaging or specializing in setups.
As the fishing venues change, we will be coming out with
more options for the rigging and usage of the boards. The
accessories allow the angler more of an adaptation to their
needs at a particular time which may change by the hour
of fishing and the conditions.
The cam action of the OR18's will not work with the tattle
flag setup, only the OR16's. You can purchase the items
separately for converting your boards over to tattle flag
set up if you already have the OR16's.
Q. I recently purchased OR8 release clips to be used
on flat line booms. Package said downrigger release but
they told me at the store that they were also used for flat
line booms. I will be using them for trolling for striped
bass (we call them rockfish) here on the Chesapeake Bay
in Virginia. Your thoughts, OK or not?
A. I am assuming that flat line booms are similar
to outriggers in technique. The OR8 will work fine there.
They will grip very tight and should assure you of a good
hook set when a striper hits.
Q. In regards to FireLine, which release is better
to use the OR19 or the OR18? Do I need 2 for each board
or do I just need to replace the bracket release? I need
to order as soon as possible. Can I order online?
A. The OR18 will be the best for FireLine. The OR19
works and is used by a lot of salmon anglers where they
want a release to trip with a fish. I would recommend the
OR18 as the best for walleye and FireLine. They are available
at Cabela's, Gander Mountain and many other retailers. If
you cannot find them there, they are available online.
Q. I am trolling with 14lb x 6 FireLine and my boards
are constantly coming off. I am looping the line. Do I need
different clips?
A. Yes, you do need a different release for that
thin FireLine. The standard release on the board is for
mono in the 10 to 12 pound range. You need the OR19 (orange)
release or the OR18 Snapper Release.
Q. How many years could you expect the pads to last
in occasional fishing use (10 to 12 trips per year) in fresh
water?
A. The material is a gasket type of rubber and should
last a long time if not exposed to heat or lots of sun.
It may dry out in time, but I know I have had releases on
my charter boat in the old days that were several years
old. What they will probably show if they are old is they
are hard and not supple any longer. It is not too difficult
to change the pads and the replacement pads are available
at your local retail store or through us directly.
Q. I picked up a pack of your planer board releases
at Captain Hooks Sports (I think they are the yellow OR10's)
to replace the releases on a couple of Yellow Bird planer
boards. On my initial attempt at using them, I couldn't
keep the line in the release. It would pop out almost immediately.
I was using 20# mono pulling a surface plug and or spoon
with a ½ oz weight. The spring was pushed toward
the pinch pads. Am I doing something wrong or were these
the wrong releases to get for this purpose?
A. The OR10's are too light for that application
so you need the black OR14 Adjustable Medium Tension Release
which is the next level up in tension. If you were fishing
salmon or at a higher speed, the orange OR19 Adjustable
Heavy Tension Release would be your best choice.
Q. I'm just starting to get into open water fishing
in the Great Lakes with downriggers. I was reading on your
web page article about the add-a-line method. I have used
a stacker with another rod but I like this idea of adding
a second line at a controlled depth on the same rod. My
questions are:
1. How far up from the downrigger weight can I go? I have
your downrigger release attached to the back of the cannonball
for the main line but I'm worried about the bow in the line.
This method will bring the main line bow back toward the
wire. Any problem with this? Will this not be a double bow
now?
2. Do I need to provide a stop down near the bottom of the
main line to prevent this extra line from sliding all of
the way down? My concern would be when a fish hits the main
line and this slides down. If the extra line is 6 feet (give
or take) a foot in length, would the stop be at 10 feet
preventing this from getting in the way of the fish or is
it best to just let it slide down and trail behind the fish?
A. This procedure of stacking is easier to do than
talk about but here it goes. First off, you use a black
OR14 or an orange OR19 release attached to about 5 feet
of line (the same pound test as your main fishing line).
I use a snap swivel on each end and one of the split rings
that come with the releases. I set my main line in the cannonball
release, lower the ball 6 to 10 feet and pinch on the OR14
or OR19 release. If I am trying to fish two different water
temperatures, I lower the ball until the stacker would be
at the upper temperature. As for a line stop, none is needed
since the lure on the main line will act as the stop.
Q. I purchased 2 yellow Off Shore in line planers
last year. I am running #30 Powerpro braided line on my
Daiwa Sealine level wind reels. This high quality braided
line continues to slip through the pads of the release.
A. The instruction sheets are included with every
Side Planer and explains the different types of releases
for different applications. Your use of PowerPro is an application
which requires a special release or at least wrapping the
line around the release once. We have many top pro anglers
using these products for all applications including salt
water and muskie. My recommendation would be to add the
OR18 Snapper Release to the bracket and use the pigtail
on the back.
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