Question for planer board users

I have watched several YouTube videos exlaining their use but there seem to be a couple of methods. One way keeps the board with the line locked in place with the line looped on the front release. Another way let's the line release from the front release. Then it seems there are a couple of ways to use the rear release. One keeps the line secured by using an or16 with pin. When you reel up to the release you unclip the board and resume reeling. The other way let's the line pass through a snap swivel and run free down the line until it hits a bead and swivel. I saw BRM mention wrapping the front release. It seems like you would be fighting the board more than method 2. How do you set them up?? thanks.

Gomer, I'm on my 5 th set of planning devices, 3 of which were regular boards, one the line runs through center of planner and you attach line in a holder and pop it loose letting it slide back to a bead and the newest is a float type device that has a clip and a release. Line pops out of holder and float slides on snap down to board. On all of them you are going to fight the board to some degree when retrieving. You just have to pick a set and practice,practice and practice. Once you learn to use them you won't want to pull cranks any other way.

You got a pair of sidewinders? I have a pair but the 1 time I tried to set them out my line kept pulling out of what they call a release. I guess I need to get mine out and adjust the spring tension in my Optis so it holds yet releases. What release do you use on the rear so the flag will work yet the board will slide? My or 16s have a pin to hold line in place.

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Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

You got a pair of sidewinders? I have a pair but the 1 time I tried to set them out my line kept pulling out of what they call a release. I guess I need to get mine out and adjust the spring tension in my Optis so it holds yet releases. What release do you use on the rear so the flag will work yet the board will slide? My or 16s have a pin to hold line in place.

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I use braid on my Opti boats. I wrap the front clip and clip the slack line in the rear clip for my flag. I reel in and detach my board with every fish. Works like a charm.

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

I use braid on my Opti boats. I wrap the front clip and clip the slack line in the rear clip for my flag. I reel in and detach my board with every fish. Works like a charm.

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Exactly what I do as well with the samee boards.

What length poles? I probably know the answers to my question but just need reinforcing.

Also, doesn't the board plane everywhichway and make reeling one in a mess??

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Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

You got a pair of sidewinders? I have a pair but the 1 time I tried to set them out my line kept pulling out of what they call a release. I guess I need to get mine out and adjust the spring tension in my Optis so it holds yet releases. What release do you use on the rear so the flag will work yet the board will slide? My or 16s have a pin to hold line in place.

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I have 4 sidewinders. That release takes some getting used to. I use both hands to pull line in Brett's deep. It takes a pretty stiff rod to pop it loose. I use 6.5 and 7 ft med hey bass rods that I had with them. I'm running 30 lb braid and have run them with mono 12. If your running off shores or Opti boards your not going to get them to slide and have flag work at the same time. I'm also running 4 of the new 4 in Redi-rig planners. I really like them because they are a lot lighter, put less strain on pole and you can use a lot lighter pole with them. They don't have a flag but their is no doubt when you have a fish.

Hey Charlie are ya able to pop the line free on the redi rigs easily. Is there a right and left model
Or can you use one for each side. I liked the looks of the side winders. One board for boath side but ya say it's a little hard to pop the line free from the clip.

On the redi rig it's a pretty simple rubber pinch by spring keeper. If I can get it just right it will pop loose when a fish hits the bait. If not it dosnt take much to get it to pop loose. They are left's and Rights's not interchangeable. I am running the 4 in but they make a 6 in. So far I have pulled cranks and jigs with mine. It will sink with a heavy weight but when pulling it will come up and plain out with up to 2 oz of weight. Like I said you can pull them with your PST and pop them loose as long as you don't get to rambunksis with them. They are a little hard to pull in when they get back by the fish but I hate fishing by myself and having to try to unrighteousness a board without loosing the fish. The sidewinder is what I like most but deploying the bait is a little cumbersome with the line being run through the middle. It has a slot cast into the plastic with a piece of rubber inserted into the slot. That's what holds your line. Getting it in far enough to hold makes it a little hard to pop out thus a stout tipped rod is required but no more than you would need to pull the offshore or Opti board.

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Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

What length poles? I probably know the answers to my question but just need reinforcing.

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Any type 6-8' bass rod.

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Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

Also, doesn't the board plane everywhichway and make reeling one in a mess??

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Not if they are attached to your line properly. Give me a shout one day. I'll take ya and show ya.

FYI--If you don't need the boards, and lots of days you don't, it's much less work to flat line your rods with different length rods. On lakes where the shorts are wearing you out, I prefer to flat line and/or push my baits. Multiple planers (3-4 on each side) will work you to death in this heat if the shorts are killing ya. 1-2 boards per side isn't to bad tho.

Thanks Charlie a good description on them booth. I had thought about trying the sidewinder too but I like to cast my bait out to make quicker back in the fishing game. I totally understand about cumbersome fishing by yourself. I would much rather flat line for that reason alone. Every planet has its pros and cons. Wish it could be one size fits all purposes.

The redi rig does seem to be the closest as you can pop the line out. Hard to flat line all same rods and hard to work a 16 ft rod and planer board by yourself lol. What to do what to do lol.

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Originally Posted by arkansasbowhunter

Hey Charlie are ya able to pop the line free on the redi rigs easily. Is there a right and left model
Or can you use one for each side. I liked the looks of the side winders. One board for boath side but ya say it's a little hard to pop the line free from the clip.

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Only time I tried to use my sidewinder s the problem was keeping the line from coming out of the release. Got a couple of opti mini planers. Just wonder if they will work with bandit 300s. I do know they don't float. Thinking about adding a tad more foam in the few places without any now.

Man one day we will have the perfect board [emoji1]