So, long story short, I’m wanting to create a shallow water fishing boat to get in the really skinny water ponds for cats… (used to do this on my pontoon, but I got a new duck boat I want to multi-purpose.) Anyway I used to find that when I trolled in S-turns I’d always hook my cats when the line was going through the non boat path area, so I’m thinking if I can sent up a mast type side plane system that I can fish that area without having to drive in "s"s… I like the mast type system because when I hook a fish I want to be turned loose to fight the fish and not have the extra hardware on the line… So my question is, since I want to do a home built unit, what is the best design for the board and any recommendations on the post and etc… I’ll probably take a trip to the junk yard to come up with materials, so likely won’t find Aluminum or stainless steel… My boat is a 14’ jon boat with a front platform that should work good for a post, nothing in the way so I can probably get by with a really simple system… I bought the releases years ago when I was going to try this before, but never got it to work, I needed a better board that would pull strong to each side… I also used steel down rigger cable and it was a little too heavy, so looking for something better this time around… Anyway just looking for some ideas and such before I start gathering components for my next attempt… Thanks Jeff
You will laugh Jeff but I have a similar setup to what you want.
I use a very heavy Ugly Stik I bought used for super cheap.
I then put a size 3000 reel on it with braid.
I put it upright in my front seat post and send it out on the biggest plastic board I could find at Cabelas, I forget the name.
Then I send cranks/worm harnesses out behind the boat and then clip line to an Off Shore release I have on shower curtain hooks.
I put curtain hook on braid line and the lure weight pulls curtain hook down to planer board.
Fish strike and pull line out of release and I fight only the fish/bait, no weight or board attached.
I have six curtain clip/releases on board and then send out #2, #3, etc. until all six are out.
Then I reel them in, take off the six curtain hooks, and repeat.
I could send pics of curtain hook/release if my gibberish does not make sense?
This way if I am not running the pole as a mast I have a heavy duty extra Catfish pole on board to use.
We talked about my DIY Boards back in Mar 2019: Side Planers DIY
They produce WAY too much pressure to be controled by a fish rod & reel. I tried - it don’t work.
Google planer board masts, double reel and study the pictures for design ideas. You will need an upright mast (metal is better than wood) and two reels of at least 10 to 12" diameter. Any monofilament line of 30 lbs or better will work for attaching to the boards. Shane’s release clips will work as well as these that I use (the upper one in the picture).
Thanks Shane and Bob, this is exactly what I was talking about and wanting to do… I think I got all the components to do this, but I was trying an old rod, then tried a PVC pipe and they sort of worked, but I didn’t have a good board so I kept having issues… I tried to build a home built board and it worked some days, but others it just wouldn’t track well in any waves, so I think if I start with a good board the rest of the stuff will work out… I really liked the couple times I tried it, but I think if I get good parts then I’ll really like the system… My mast didn’t work well in my boat with the "Bimini top up so hopefully the new boat without anything in the way will work well… Anyway thanks for your thoughts, I’ll look through your post again Bob I think that was when I put things together to start with… Thanks Jeff
Jeff,
The plans for home made planer boards are no longer available through BFT. My original post is still there, but the plan documents are no longer attached. If you would like the plans to build your own REAL planer boards, let me know. Mine pull straight and true regardless of the weather.
That be them. I linked to them way back when and the link to that website or my photos probably went away. Thanks.
Thank you Bob… I’ll have to find some good wood to make them out of… Thanks Jeff
Cedar is the ONLY wood you should use to make them.