downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

[gregtobin]

I've tried to read up on the use of downriggers, but don't really understand how they work. I have a 18 foot bowrider with a '74 Merc 115hp motor. I plan to fish in the Chesapeake, but don't know if I'll be able to pull planer boards with my boat. I understand how outriggers work, but I don't get downriggers.

I think that I want to fish in the 20-50 foot depth with about 200 yards of line. How would a downrigger help me? Is it worth the $

Thanks!

 

[michiganmarty]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

Will the downriggers help you? o You can't troll down
to 50' without downriggers. You could try Dipsies, but I
don't think they'll go down 50', maybe 20.

Basically, the downrigger suspends a 8-12 pound ball
(at the desired depth) to which a device known as a
release is added for the purpose of holding your fishing
line and the lure that follows at the same depth. When
you catch a fish, the release does it's job and releases
the fishing line so you can haul it in.

The ball stays down there until you bring it back up on
it's own reel to reset for the next catch.

Go to your favorite Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop and they will be happy to give youa demonstration and advice.

Are they worth it? Heck is a boat worth it? I can buy more fish than I'll ever have eaten in two life times for what I spend on boats and fishing stuff.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

Yes they are worth it, if only to stack lures so you troll 4 rods instead of 2.

You stack by putting the ball down at 20, 1st lure down at 15 and the second at 10, on the same line.

The thing is how would you get your lure down to a any depth beyond 5 feet without something?

Downriggers are the best for that

tomatolord

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

Will the downriggers help you? o You can't troll down
to 50' without downriggers. You could try Dipsies, but I
don't think they'll go down 50', maybe 20.

Marty, we fish dipsies up to 70'. Knowing how to set them up is the key.... That said, downriggers can get you to the exact depth better than the dipsies...we run both with good success...

What kind of fish are we after in the bay?

 

[Belchy]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

I plan to fish in the Chesapeake, but don't know if I'll be able to pull planer boards with my boat.

Your boat will be able to pull planner boards, but for limitied space and saving some money, try the inline boards, of which there are several manufactures such as Churchs Offshore, Yellowbird to name a few. the boards attach right to the line and then slide down the line when a fish strikes.

Belchy

 

[gregtobin]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

Thanks for the suggestions. I just bought a downrigger so I'll see how that works. Now I need a depth gauge/fish finder.

I was out on a Chesapeake Bay charter with an experienced captain. He towed planer boards about 100-150 feet off each side. Each line to the planers had three fishing lines attached. The planers were pretty effective as 4 of the 6 stripers were caught on these lines. I should have paid more attention to the details, but I think that he trolled at about 5 with about 150 yards of line. So I guess that the stripers hit on the surface.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

What's a planer board?

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

The planer boards are attached to the trolling lines as line is being let out. They are designed to "track" to the right or left side of the boat, taking the lure AWAY from the noise and prop-wash of the boat. Also when trolling, you are covering alot more water. Several lines can be trolled on each side.

They seem to be most effective on Walleye, salmon, stripers etc....(I use them for Salmon and steelhead)

The disadvantage: Trolling in heavy boat traffic and netting by yourself with more than one fish ON!:^:^:^

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

Greg, I forgot to add something...Check with those captains (and other fishermen) to see what speed they are running... I don't know about stipers, but speed can be a huge factor in putting a salmon in the cooler...Best of Luck.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: downriggers, outriggers, planer boards

The main purpose of planer boards is to put action on the lures. In my neck of the woods, we run flies. When the water has some chop to it, it causes the planer boards to move in jerks. This in turn varies the tension on the planer board line. Your fishing line is attached to a release that slides down the planer board line. You don't run it all the way out to the planer board, you run it halfway or so (if you are only running one line off of the planer board line). What happens is when the planer board is bucking and jerking, the line goes tight and loose in erratic intervals, which causes the fly (or whatever lure) to move in the water with a more natural presentation. A bad planer board setup is when the board is cruising steady, the line stays at the same tension, and the lure is going at a steady speed. You can change the attachment point of the line on the planer board, which changes how it runs in the water. When the water is calm, you can attach the planerboard line farther back on the planerboard, which causes the planer board to want to porpoise, which will give the action on the line.

I don't really like the single boards that attach directly to the fishing line, because you end up fighting the fish and the planer board. I use the dual board with dedicated line.