Please elaborate..........

[Steuben1]

I am currently trolling with Church boards the TX-22's and I like them. Remember, I am new to trolling compared to you guys. With that being said, can someone tell me why some people run big boards and some people run inline planers?? I have always been curious! I chose the inlines because of the cost of the initial set up.

Please reply as I am really wanting to learn!

[Gettin Jiggy]

I am currently trolling with Church boards the TX-22's and I like them. Remember, I am new to trolling compared to you guys. With that being said, can someone tell me why some people run big boards and some people run inline planers?? I have always been curious! I chose the inlines because of the cost of the initial set up.

Please reply as I am really wanting to learn!

The most obvious reason in my opinion is the ability to run more rods at one time. Running more than 6 at a time on in lines is very difficult, but you can run up to 18 on big boards. Also when the fish is hooked on big boards you fight the fish the whole time and not the board.

[walleye2go]

These are few things I can think of, I'm sure others can add

-big boards are better in heavier waves, no ski overs you get with little boards
-you can run twice as many lines per side with big boards
-like said, you fight the fish the whole time with big boards
-little trash fish are easier to see and clear the line to rebait on big boards
-you can run any kind of lure with any kind of weight or diver on big board
-running big boards with a good bungee system stabilizes the boat in heavier weather
-it takes less time to teach new people how to run the big board system
-trying to run lightly pulling lures in gusting winds is more difficult with big boards as they tend to want to wrap the fishing line around the tow line
-little boards are quicker to deploy and pick up

I'll add that the Skipper9 system of running big boards, in my opinion, is unbeatable for running a lot of people and catching a lot of fish quickly. You bring the fish to the boat when you're ready for them and as fast as the crew can work.

Greg

[jm gremore]

I fish with 2 people and run just 4 boards. This is working just fine. With more people, you may want to uses the trolling rigs rather than inline boards.

[BAD KARMA]

It seems that we all started out trolling the inline boards and graduated to the big boards. I agree with everything greg put. usaully you start using bigger boards when you start having more people than poles you can use with inlines. also 40 and 50 jets dont pull to good with inline boards. if you only fish with 2-3 people continue to use your inlines for a while till your ready to upgrade. Ive been threw 3 boats now and 3 different trolling systems in the last 6 years. Remember change costs money!!!LOL.

[ebijack]

My 2 cents, Like mentioned, Big boards for running a lot of rods. But running 8 inlines and 2 down rods ( 10 rods total) really isn't a problem. A good friend of mine on his Islander runs 6 inlines per side most everyday on Sag Bay. Plus the down rods. (14 rods total) He mainly runs harnesses.
If you plan to run a lot of harnesses and using inline weights and running slower speeds where big boards can be more difficult to run unless you have a taller boat ( the main line stays out of the water much better) inline boards are the way to go.
Jets are kind of required for pulling harnesses as they have a dive curve where inline weights are speed sensitive, with jets speed does not affect your depth. Also your actual diving depth using big boards and inline weights is affected by the amount of line out of the water. Not a lot, but can be a factor.
If you set up your inlines to release the front clip, you never fight the board and the released board swings to the rear of the boat. Tattle flags when set up correctly can tell you when you have just a few weeds on your lure.
Now if your going to want to mainly troll with a lot of rods/people, run cranks or spoons for the most part. Big boards would be my choice. But 80+ % of my fishing involves pulling meat. So I stay with inline boards that I have modified to work for me.

[cooleyfarms]

Throwing in my 2 cents for what it's worth: I learned to troll using big boards and multiple rods on several kind mentors' boats. After I was able to get my own boat I started using big boards but switched to straight line jets & dipsey divers. I have rigged up so I can run 6 dipseys and 2 jets, but usually only have 2/3 people and run 2/4 dipseys & 2 jets. Really simple for once a year guests and the grandkids. Just drop the bait and let it unreel to the proper depth. No line hookups to small boards or clipping lines to big board tow lines. Whatever works best for your situation is the thing to use. Good luck to everyone this year.

[byrnejwb]

What size dipsey's do you run?