Downrigger or Planer?

[Capt. Squiddly]

I see that you guys use planers when fishing for giants down in NC. Im just curious, but can downriggers be used instead? Wouldnt it be easier than running a seperate rod with a planer?

[babalaza]

i have seen pix of ppl using planners on the downrigger

[capecrusader]

We use in line planners with wind on leaders, much better than downriggers

[Fishwagon]

Dumb question:
Why use a wind-on, if it is an in-line planer? I could see using one off of a release clip....I know Im missing something

[Glenn W]

Squiddly, since non of the Giant pro's are available I'll step up to the plate.
A downrigger is a PIA even in calm weather. Plus downriggers tend to get in the way while wiring a fish. A planer rod is much easier to operate and fully mobile.
As to Fishwagon's question, I'm pretty sure you misunderstood the Cape's response. First, very long leaders (60'-90') are used , hense the need for wind ons. The planer in not truely run inline or used with a bridle as is used for smaller fish. Rather, most use 2 heavy rubber bands to connect fishing line to planer line.

[PistolPete]

I KNOW GUY'S RUN PLANERS OFF THE CLEATS AND THEN ATTACH THE MAIN LINE TO THE PLANER VIA RELEASE CLIPS. i'VE BEEN TRYING THIS BUT NOT QUITE PERFECTED... ANYONE TRY THIS WITH GOOD LUCK, OR SHOULD i JUST SPEND THE $ AND GET THE PLANER ROD AND BRIDLE???

[Davedowneast]

I think Glenn is exactly correct that having a fixed piece of equipment in the way would be a PIA, if not a disaster. The only time that a downrigger would give an advantage is if you were "bouncing" the bait on the bottom.

[Glenn W]

I KNOW GUY'S RUN PLANERS OFF THE CLEATS AND THEN ATTACH THE MAIN LINE TO THE PLANER VIA RELEASE CLIPS. i'VE BEEN TRYING THIS BUT NOT QUITE PERFECTED... ANYONE TRY THIS WITH GOOD LUCK, OR SHOULD i JUST SPEND THE $ AND GET THE PLANER ROD AND BRIDLE???

It's all in the wrist action and using Old Salty planers. I can get it done with alot of fussing and cussing, but Brian Harrington does it so fast & easy with a 24 or 32, you'd think he was playing with a 00 Spanish Mack rig.

No doubt a rod is alot easier and more flexible as to depth.

[WAHOONBOX]

I KNOW GUY'S RUN PLANERS OFF THE CLEATS AND THEN ATTACH THE MAIN LINE TO THE PLANER VIA RELEASE CLIPS. i'VE BEEN TRYING THIS BUT NOT QUITE PERFECTED... ANYONE TRY THIS WITH GOOD LUCK, OR SHOULD i JUST SPEND THE $ AND GET THE PLANER ROD AND BRIDLE???

I HAVE VIDEOS OF ALL THIS MADE JUST FOR SPORTFISHERMEN.COM....AND IT WILL BE TOMORROW BEFORE I CAN FIND THEM

IT WILL BE OLD SALTY PLANER ON A HANDLINE INCLUDING HOW TO TRIP IT

AND HERE IS THE BFT HOOK UP ON A PLANER ROD WITH RUBBERBAND BREAK AWAY

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE IN-LINE PLANER/ BRIDLE SYSTEM FOR THE GIANTS!

THE INLINE /BRIDLE SYSTEM THAT I DESIGNED A FEW YEARS BACK IS DESIGNED ONLY FOR "STANDARD " MEAT FISHING..YFT, AVERAGE BIGEYE..MAHI ...WAHOO

HERE IS THE BFT / PLANER GIG...WITH HOOK UP!

HE IS THE "DEPLOY" VIDEO: http://www.wahoonbox.com/videos/BFTPLANER.wmv


ON THE NEXT VIDEO...THE PLANER ROD IS ON THE RIGHT...130 ON THE LEFT IN THE CHAIR......THERE IS A RUBBER BAND REKEASE THAT YOU SEE IN THE FIRST VIDEO CLIP[

TWO RODS ARE TO BE CLEARED IN THE PROCESSS PLUS THE PLANER ROD....NOTE THAT I THREW THE PLANER ROD IN FREE SPOOL FOR ONE SECOND...TO TRIP THE OLD SALTY #24 ....THIS IS THE ONLY PLANER I HAVE FOUND THAT WILL TRIP 99 OUT OF 100 TIMES THE FIRST TIME!!!

HERE IS THE ACTION!!!: http://www.wahoonbox.com/videos/bft05.wmv


I HOPE THIS HELPS.....



NOW FOR THE AVERAGE MEATFISH ACTION...THE DEATH FROM ABOVE PLANER ROD WITH THE BOX BRIDLE SYSTEM IS THE HEAT .....

CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT: http://www.wahoonbox.com/videos/planertrip.wmv


I WILL DIG AND FIND THE HANDLINE FOOTAGE I MADE FOR OLD SALTY A COUPLE YEARS AGO.....

[Sea Draggin]

I see that you guys use planers when fishing for giants down in NC. Im just curious, but can downriggers be used instead? Wouldnt it be easier than running a seperate rod with a planer?

I do it all day long. I've got 200lb solid sprecta on my Penn down riggers and it will pull 16's, 24's, 32's all day long. You can't do the quick release thing, but with the downrigger you can just crank it up. Plus its real easy to double stack, so you only need one line.