Trolling for Muskies using Planer Boards?

I bought some of the Big Bird planer boards a couple years ago. I haven’t really fished much with guys that use planer boards and the instructions I got with the ones I bought were poor to say the least. I went online to the Big Bird website and found the instructions I was missing.

My goal this summer is to start using the planer boards to be able to use 3 or 4 lines between 2 people (in Wis).

Here is where I’m hoping to get some input from the experienced planer board guys.

The instructions talk about 3 options for pulling the boards.

Option 1.
Is to use a release on the front of the board and let the board slide back to a stop a few feet in front of the lure.

Option 2.
Don’t let the board release, reel it in enough to take the board off, then fight the fish once the board has been removed.

Option 3.
Use releases on the front and back of the board and let the board totally release from the line. You need to go pick up the board after the fish has been released. They don’t recommend this method in heavy current areas.

I’m very interested in hearing everyones experience (good and bad) with each of the options. Thanks.

BZZSAW:

In Northern WI we are only allowed to row troll and I enjoyed doing it for several summers. I set my boards up to release. First let me tell you that you need to put some type of reflective tape on your boards if you are going to do this and then have a very powerful light in the boat to find the board again. I would prefer fight the fish unencumbered. More later…

Mark

Oh Dan….where are you

Dan has done a lot of trolling with boards and with any luck he sees this post. He found some monster release clips and they work great for pulling big baits on boards.

bzzsaw,
I like to keep my boards on the line after a strike.I use offshore boards with a double wrap on the forward clip. Good luck! Its going to be a while before the ice is thin enough to troll through.
.

The boards that I got came with Osprey releases like the ones in this picture. Has anyone uses these? Do you like them? I’d also be very interested in hearing about other releases that work well. Thanks again for any info you can provide.

I run church walleye boards on my setup. I put out two boards and long line two and run one shortie in the prop wash. Going back for a board sucks. I would have a mate on board and get them off when you get close. I like to put tubes, top waters or something that runs shallow on the boards and you don’t have to put out much line. You can get the inside board over the weed edge and pow that board gets hit more often than anything else. I run 6-10 feet for top water, 15 or 20 on a tube or a shallow runner. The board gets their attention and is too small to spook them I feel. I like to keep the whole pattern pretty tight and don’t put out a ton of line like you would for eyes. I haven’t run those releases but find you have to double wrap superline on the church boards. Drive around and vary your speeds and turn in s curves, stopping dead once in a while. I also use the same boards for live suckers in fall. Make sure trolling is allowed on the water you are on and keep your drag fairly light or a big one will rip your rod holders off.

Thats great info. Thanks Whiskerkev.