planer question

[SERprise]

What do you guys think of the sea striker planer HS8 (high speed)? do they work well for someone like myself with a very small income. I plan on attatching it to a cleat. I need it for the hooski's that hang out kinda deep on those hot sunny days. I would love to use the sniper planer setup but its way outta my price range.

[Foul Hook'd]

I started off with a Sea Striker on the cleat, eventually switched to a Ol Salty #8 or #12. I had several SS's break at the threads where the rod is bolted through the plate, couldn't really tighten without breaking the thing off. SS makes a HD commercial planer with a heavier bracket but I've never used one. The Ol Salty's are HD, superior construction never a problem. worth the extra $$. Pull a 16 on the planer rod, another 16 and 24 rigged as backups.

Foul Hook'd

[clt_capt]

I personally prefer the Old Salty planers. The reason is quite simple - the shape of the lead seems to be better balanced on the Old Saltys, and they are much more consistent to trip.

I use a Sniper setup, so to trip, I drop the reel into freespool for a few seconds and then lock off - the old salty's trip every time.

In your case pulling the planer from a rope attached to a cleat, you really don't have the freespool option, so the sea striker will be fine most of the time.

[SERprise]

would you suggest using braid, mono or cable for the planer?

[seapower]

Old Salty, Old Salty, Old Salty, if you can't afford one take out a loan. I could be wrong but I believe SS come from China, Old Salty from the States, tells me alot. If you look on the web sites of SS and Old Salty you will find their depth achieved. Old Salty is way superior from what I see there. Not to mention I used them commercial hook fishing for years without one problem. Cable sings (vibration) seems to spook fish, mig wire is tuff stuff but can be difficult to use until you get used to it. I'm using Power Pro 250lb now, seems to be user friendly (be careful of your knot selection, it slides), it's quiet and it has the diamater of ahout 80lb mono, allows the planer to get down with out alot of scope in the main line. For what it's worth I don't leave the dock without 2 downriggers with planers, alot of days they don't help much, but on the days they do, you wouldn't have a trip without them. My opinion

[SERprise]

Old Salty, Old Salty, Old Salty, if you can't afford one take out a loan. I could be wrong but I believe SS come from China, Old Salty from the States, tells me alot. If you look on the web sites of SS and Old Salty you will find their depth achieved. Old Salty is way superior from what I see there. Not to mention I used them commercial hook fishing for years without one problem. Cable sings (vibration) seems to spook fish, mig wire is tuff stuff but can be difficult to use until you get used to it. I'm using Power Pro 250lb now, seems to be user friendly (be careful of your knot selection, it slides), it's quiet and it has the diamater of ahout 80lb mono, allows the planer to get down with out alot of scope in the main line. For what it's worth I don't leave the dock without 2 downriggers with planers, alot of days they don't help much, but on the days they do, you wouldn't have a trip without them. My opinion

I can afford an old salty but already have an SS. Got it for next to nothin. I might have to get one and try them both to see which I like better.

[WahooKing]

What do you guys think of the sea striker planer HS8 (high speed)? do they work well for someone like myself with a very small income. I plan on attatching it to a cleat. I need it for the hooski's that hang out kinda deep on those hot sunny days. I would love to use the sniper planer setup but its way outta my price range.

More than one way to skin a cat...We target Wahoo w/ trolling sinkers, shock leader and high speed lures...The lures run just below the surface at high speeds (14-18kts)....Everything is attached to the main line and runs off the tip...no clips or devices to worry about...During rough weather, a 4-6 line (off the tip) spread can be set in no time...tangles are nonexistent w/ marked lines...simplicity at its best.

[SERprise]

I made some of my own inline trolling sinkers on some 480# aircraft cable. I have some 10oz and 16oz. I have had some decent success with them but they just don't seem to go deep enough. Just looking to try something new with the planners.

[SERprise]

I really like your lures by the way.

[WahooKing]

I made some of my own inline trolling sinkers on some 480# aircraft cable. I have some 10oz and 16oz. I have had some decent success with them but they just don't seem to go deep enough. Just looking to try something new with the planners.

Wahoo have remarkable ability to change throughout the water column...All the ones we catch are right below the surface...Speed is the key...The Bahamian/Island tournament guys have all adapted to this system.

I would venture to say your not going fast enough with your current system....Pick up that speed....More speed might require larger trolling sinkers per outfit...the trolling sinker allows your lures to stick in the water at high speeds...You can cover lots of grounds and speed triggers their feeding instinct...They can't resist

Concentrate your efforts around the humps and ledges...I believe closer to shore in Guam....Nov. is a good month to target...However, its a yr long fishery...smaller fish on the average....Find correlations of the bite vs tidal stage...Them buggas will eat like clockwork.