Thread: Line Behind Planer Board??

I am waiting to hear responses as well. I have just started, but based on speed of .6 to .8 mph, I am letting out the depth I want plus about 30%.

I use the formula of 2/3's of the amount of line behind the board will be the approximate depth of the lure depending on speed of .7 - 1.1 mph, so if you have 9 feet of line out behind the board, lure will be about 6 feet deep. You can put as much line as you want behind the board but the more line out behind the board means you may/will have to remove the board to get the fish to the boat or have a long handled net. I use 8-10' long rods so if I have to put more line out behind the board than the length of the rod, I'll just long line as it's easier for me that way.

I fished Tellico on Saturday as well, and I pulled one board just messing around with something for a little bit, but all the fish I saw were too deep to use boards IMO, so I just long lined over creek channels/beds.

I just started fishing with boards but after 3 or four trips I am learning more. I agree with jimp. If your fishing deeper than 10 feet your probably better off long lining with no board. I have beenfishing in 4 to 6 fow and running about 3 feet of line off boards. You can adjust depth a little either way depending on what they want. However, Its better to be too shallow than too deep. Because of eye placement crappie tend to feed up. If I am fishing less than 10 feet I want my baits in the upper half of the water column. That is true also with longlining at those depths. The thing I like about the boards is that you can pull at slower speeds. Hope this helps

Originally Posted by jimp

I use the formula of 2/3's of the amount of line behind the board will be the approximate depth of the lure depending on speed of .7 - 1.1 mph, so if you have 9 feet of line out behind the board, lure will be about 6 feet deep. You can put as much line as you want behind the board but the more line out behind the board means you may/will have to remove the board to get the fish to the boat or have a long handled net. I use 8-10' long rods so if I have to put more line out behind the board than the length of the rod, I'll just long line as it's easier for me that way.

I fished Tellico on Saturday as well, and I pulled one board just messing around with something for a little bit, but all the fish I saw were too deep to use boards IMO, so I just long lined over creek channels/beds.

Thanks for the input. That is basically what I was trying to say, but having a hard time wording it. Good ideas from you and footballcoach. If deeper than a few feet, longline. Thanks guys!

Jimp's formula is spot on. We sometimes target fish in deeper water with the boards using heavier weighted jigs/split shots and letting 15-25' or so of line behind the board. its a chore landing the fish, but they can be caught this way. watch the depth finder and try to put the jigs a foot or two above the fish.

O K guys look back at what all of you said that was the same? I assume everyone is pulling 1/16th It's not a sin to use a 1/8th or a 1/4th. the beauty of the boards is trying new things and tinkering. I had one person ask this week why you had to use 8ft rods? You don't. You can use all 4ft rods if that's what you like.

Originally Posted by tenncrappie

O K guys look back at what all of you said that was the same? I assume everyone is pulling 1/16th It's not a sin to use a 1/8th or a 1/4th. the beauty of the boards is trying new things and tinkering. I had one person ask this week why you had to use 8ft rods? You don't. You can use all 4ft rods if that's what you like.

Another good point! Actually, I am using 1/8 on the boards. I use 1/16 when single poling. The boards work! I am in the process of upgrading electronics so I will have a better idea (hopefully) on how deep to pull them. Had one go under Saturday, snapped the line, and kept on going. The board finally resurfaced and headed toward a big dock with a big boat in the slip. We had to take an angle like a cornerback to run it down before it went under the dock. Got it at the last second and just cut it to save the board! I am guessing catfish and really don't care, just wanted the board back! It was an adrenaline rush!

Thanks for all the input guys. The formula was particularly helpful plus the comments on experimenting with different weights. Jimp, how did you do on Tellico? I only caught about 10 fish and only one was a keeper. I was surprised at how small the fish were.