mark-bruzek wrote:

I looked at the time it would take me to build my own and then started thinking about how long it would take to tweek, adjust, weight and modify them. I just decided that $80-$100 was much cheaper to buy ones I knew pulled great.
I will add a link to what many use in Duluth.
They have an adjustment screw to make them pull harder or softer and you can also bend the tail fin more. I don’t think you would be disappointed with these.
http://www.marinegeneral.com/product/captain-richs-boards
http://www.marinegeneral.com/product/laurvick-planer-board-release

B-man wrote:

Mark is spot on with the Captain Rich’s.

NOTHING pulls better.

I’m an inline guy myself, but if I were to go back to big boards they would be Rich’s without a doubt. Save your time and just get them. They’re dialed in, something that would take a ton of trial and error to do on your own.

I had folding Riviera’s on my last boat……they were absolutely terrible.

Thanks for that link. For that price for a set I will probably buy those I’d rather be fishing then adjusting planer boards.

What length do you use or would you recommend? I’d like to be able to pull plugs at a minimum.

Thanks For that info Mark. I have never pulled lead core but I know that it can put a lot of pressure on a rod with a lot of line out. So it should handle what I need. I typically only run 3 lines on in line boards when I freeline live bait so I known it will handle that. I would only pull 2 small plugs or 1 umbrella rig on each side which will be at faster 1.5-3mph. Now the only question left to be answered is will it pull at a slow enough speed for freelines and catfish trolling.

I will try to remind you to check out the different speeds for me and it is comforting to know I can resale if I decide they don’t work out for me.

Thanks for that link. For the price of a set I will probably get those as I would rather be fishing than adjusting boards. What length 30” or 40” would you recommend? I’m guessing 40” so I know I’ll be able to pull the biggest baits and lures I can

Thanks for the info guys. It’s good to know that it is possible at the speeds I need. I know there are plans online to build but do y’all know of any particular designs that would be the best to start with? Any particular adjustments that could be made to help with slow speed trolling? I know multiple attachment points will be a big factor to get it tracking nose out with less speed. Would bigger or smaller boards work better at slower speeds?

Also I’ve seen People talking about painting and also not painting boards to let it soak up some water. What do y’all recommend?