Planing boards in Ches Bay

[mburrows]

Like the others said, Ho with someone. It will save you a year of trial and error.

[Gitzit 2]

i usually don't do alot of trolling so i don't run them either
always thought it was difficult until i fished with someone who knew how to do it well.
there are some tricks and techinques but it is farily easy with the right stuff.

good luck

[goinsfishin]

Planer boards are not that difficult but there is a learning curve and trial and error practice.....especially boat handling since you cant turn sharp or let the bow drift too much.
Definitely HO with someone who runs them.
And any planer will flip....its ugly when it happens......less chance with triples vs doubles, wider vs narrow, and longer vs shorter.
Good luck to you.

[swartj]

I normally pull an 11 rod spread: 4 on port board, 4 on starboard board, 2 deep off the stern and one wwb.

This weekend I experimented with pulling one board instead of two. It was a 9 rod spread - 4 off the board, 2 deep off the stern, 2 intermediate length off the gunwales and one wwb off the roof. It was much easier fishing. From the helm I could keep an eye on all the rods except the wwb. Turning was much easier than with two boards. Also much easier to manuver in crowds.

I would still go out with someone because it is much easier to see it done but you may want to consider just pulling one board.

[mburrows]

I currently only fish one board. Mainly because I can't afford any more rods but it is a lot easier to manuver in a crowd. Also it's easier to miss all those crab pots that pop up unexpectedly in 70' of water lately.

[fishhawker]

Wow, thanks for all the help. I really feel educated but won't be back to the Bay unitl next spring. Thanks to all who replied. I'll look into hooking up with someone in the spring, i've got to try this. See ya in the spring.