Planer Boards ???

[D.D.E.]

I am looking to buy planer boards, not sure if I should pick the Offshore, or Church, brand.
Please tell me what you DO NOT like, and what you DO LIKE, about either brand, based on personal experience.
I value your oppinions.
Thanks, Dennis

[Hoytman86]

I like the Church "The Walleye" boards for two reasons. You don't have to replace the clips as soon as you buy them and they have an extra pin/clip to keep the board on the line when it comes out of the clips while fighting a fish. I wanted to add that I have nothing negative to say about offshore boards other than they don't have the extra pin/clip to keep the board on your line. When the other two clips come off. I can't even count the number of times that has kept me from having to circle back to pick up a board, and since they're the same price I don't know why you wouldn't want them.

I'd recommend running 17 lb mono (thanks Ebijack!) instead of braid with any in line board. I've run in line weights, cranks and TT40s and they work with all of them. I wouldn't recommend anything over the TT40s off of the TX-22/The Walleye boards though.

[wakina]

I like the Church "The Walleye" boards for two reasons. You don't have to replace the clips as soon as you buy them and they have an extra pin/clip to keep the board on the line when it comes out of the clips while fighting a fish. I wanted to add that I have nothing negative to say about offshore boards other than they don't have the extra pin/clip to keep the board on your line. When the other two clips come off. I can't even count the number of times that has kept me from having to circle back to pick up a board, and since they're the same price I don't know why you wouldn't want them.

I'd recommend running 17 lb mono (thanks Ebijack!) instead of braid with any in line board. I've run in line weights, cranks and TT40s and they work with all of them. I wouldn't recommend anything over the TT40s off of the TX-22/The Walleye boards though.

I agree with everything you have written. Both boards deserve the reputation that they have, they are both made in America and both get the job done. I personally use the Church boards in the TX-22 model and use braid instead of mono. Almost without fail if there is a report of a lost board it is the OffShore boards that are lost. There are a couple of fixes for that problem, one is expensive and the other is rather cheap.

[ebijack]

I don't have any photos, but a few years ago I lowered the rear eyelet from the upper part of the board where there is a hole and most everyone installs the eyelet for use with the tattle flag. Then put a new hole on the back side directly across from where the eyelet originally used to be on the front side. If that makes sense. And it does make a small difference in how the board rides in the water. Is it worth doing? Maybe. Running heavier weights like 3oz etc. You end up having a bit more of the board showing out of the water than using the higher position. The flag still works as it should, no change there. If I was setting up another 10 or 12 boards, I would make them all this way. You will have to remove the black plastic flag holder/store position ( I never used those anyway). The rubber band can take that job if you need.

[ebijack]

Like mentioned, either work very well. Just personal preference mostly. I ran Offshore for many years and preferred them to the Church. (sold my boat last year with all the equipment). I had many hours fishing both boards side by side in every possible fishing condition (including tourney's). For me the Offshore ran better overall.
Yes I installed Church super clips, have to do that on the Church also as they do not come with the super clips. If you place the line be it braid or mono into that Church super clip properly, it is not coming out. Unless you "set the hook" when a board is under water.
To fix that, I used Offshore original black, or the orange clips on the tow arm and the Church on the rear. This allows the front clip to release, the board will fall out of formation going to the rear of the boat when a fish strikes. If the board is taken under, you are not fighting the board in anyway. It is just hanging there. And will not come off.
If you want, with the Offshore, you can use a snap ( that is how they originally came) in the rear position so the board will slide down your line if the front clip releases. I never found that to be a good thing. Lost some really nice salmon when they jump and the board is flopping around just ahead of them. I'd rather have to go back and retrieve a board. Heck when only running 4 boards that is a breeze. Now when running 10 boards, it is a PIA. But like mentioned. A Church super clip on the rear, a releasable clip on the tow arm. You should never see that happen. Anyway that is my take.
Thanks Hoytman86, glad you like the #17 mono. No more braid problems.

[D.D.E.]

Do you guys use the Tattle, Toggle, Flags ?

Great info so far, Thanks for your time.

Dennis

[Hoytman86]

I use the flags. It makes detecting when you're dragging a small fish easier for me (which was very important this past year). They're not a must, but if you're not going to get them you would probably be better served by getting two boards in one side than getting one for each side. It's a lot easier to read them if you have two next to each other than one on each side.

[ebijack]

I used the tattle flags. Made my own. Use #32 rubber bands, not springs. Yes you will break a very few rubber bands each year. But when you can get a bag for cheap and it is enough to last years. The rubber bands have unlimited tension settings. When set right, the flag will let you know when you have a perch/small fish on or even weeds. Or when a fish is playing with the bait, which allows you to feed the bait to them and catching alot more fish. For under $2/board why not. Snip a small "V" with side cutters at the top hole location to hold the rubber band in any position you place the rubber band. Couple examples.





Also the rubber bands have alot of other uses holding things closed, together etc.

[D.D.E.]

Thanks ebijack;
You went to a lot of trouble providing these photos, it is appreciated.
Dennis

[D.D.E.]

If you would like to see the improvments to Offshore boards go to their site they have a video on it.
Dennis