Planers

[JB2C]

Anyone have any tricks for making a planer run deeper? Thought about adding weight to the lower tip, but not sure what that will do to the running attitude. And I assume it's the attitude of the metal plate that pushes it down deep. Guess aerodynamics are the reason those Zwings can dig so deep. Probably because of the attachment point being adjustable and further back. They work great, but pretty pricey when you lose a couple. Would like to find a way to keep a 45D angle on the line, even with 100-150' of line out on the planer. I'm messing around with areodynamics a little now, but thought there might be a quick and easy answer/trick.

JB

[O-SEA-D]

I use 200 lb test power pro line on my planer rod. I get 80 feet down with my #24 planer at a 45 degree angle.

What main line are you using?

[Chilli]

JB2C,

There are three ways to get a planer down deeper without modifing the planer itself.

1) Use a thinner mainline holding the planer. By using a thinner main line, you are decreasing the drag caused by a larger diameter and your planer will dig deeper. You may want to consider going to a spectra braid to accomplish this. If you are hand lining the planer, I would caution you on the braid approach as it can be tough on the hands, or downright dangerous to the digits.

2) Use a larger planer. A large planer will have more surface area to dig with and will be able to overcome the drag created by the main line better. The end result is getting deeper. Perhaps if you told us how you are currently employing the planer it would help to pin down what the proper size would be to fit your application..

3) Speed up. As you increase your speed the planer will dig harder. It will pull the bow in the main line tighter and you will get more depth... Of course there is a limit to how fast you can go... That limit will become apparent when you start hearing creaks and growns and the equipment starts blowing up...

As far as adding additional weight and such, I would advise against it. A planer is a well balance tool. The weight at the tongue provides a diving angle that is close to 45*. Hold a planer up in front of your face by the ring and you will see what I mean. Less weight and the planer will have a flatter entry and not dive as deep. More weight and the planer will become unstable and be prone to blowback and erant tripping...

[WAHOONBOX]

YOU CAN ALSO GO OUT THE SCUPPER WITH A S-HOOK ATTACHED TO A ROPE-TO-CLEAT.............THE S-HOOK IS ABOUT TWN INCHES OUT FROM THE STERN....ATTACH S-HOOK ON THE MAINLINE

I USE 130 BATTLELINE...LO LO DIAMETER....AND I DO GO FREAKING DEEP

[O-SEA-D]

Thats what she said. LMAO

AND I DO GO FREAKING DEEP

[Old Salty]

Anyone have any tricks for making a planer run deeper? Thought about adding weight to the lower tip, but not sure what that will do to the running attitude. And I assume it's the attitude of the metal plate that pushes it down deep. Guess aerodynamics are the reason those Zwings can dig so deep. Probably because of the attachment point being adjustable and further back. They work great, but pretty pricey when you lose a couple. Would like to find a way to keep a 45D angle on the line, even with 100-150' of line out on the planer. I'm messing around with areodynamics a little now, but thought there might be a quick and easy answer/trick.

JB

Hi,

What make & size Planer are you using?
Also what are you deploying it out on?
Hand-Line/Pole/Downrigger??
What size and type of main-line are you using?
This would help us out tremendously.
Without that, it is hard to tell you how to get MAX.
Depth from a Planer.
Chili is correct in everything he has written here.
The smaller the main line Diameter, the deeper
an "Old SaltyPlaner" will dive.
Our largest size Diving Planer is a No. 32 Old Salty Planer.
The largest in Stainless Steel Diving Planers. It has a 32oz. Lead Keel. We can make it track deeper than 150ft, we've
had it down as deep as 200ft. It also depends on the swells, & trolling speed. The faster you go, the deeper the Planer Blade will force the lead weight to keep diving.
Let us all know how your deploying it, and we can help.

Team Old Salty
east coast - H.T.D. Corporation
west coast - Old Salty Tackle Co.
web orders- http://www.oldsaltytackle.com
Quality Stainless Steel Trolling Gear!

[WAHOONBOX]

DANG!!!! OKAY JB2C....ASK AND IT WAS DELIVERED....OLD SALTY HIMSELF HAS CHIMED IN !!! WELCOME AGAIN DAVID!

[BTH284]

A shorter length planer rod may help out or even a bent butt rod by decreasing the rods angle to the water allowing a steeper entry angle for the planer to dig. Same principle as moving running line lower to the water by running out the scupper. If this is what yopu already run, then I don't know what to tell ya. Still studying on this subject.

[JB2C]

Ok. My setup is two downriggers. One manual and one electric. Don't give me too hard a time about the electric. It's worked great for me. Hit the switch and go clear other lines. And I have a backup plan if it decides to quit on me while out there.

I have the 200# Power Pro on the electric and the stainless cable on the manual. I think that's either 135 or 150# cable. Cable is new and the braid has been on there since last season, but looks to be in good shape still. I use a 24 planer on the electric and 16 planer on the manual. I put the manual at around 60' and the electric at around 120'. Depending on water depth I'm fishing, of course. That would put my baits at 30' and 60' if a 45D angle. The manual is good, running around a 45D angle, so no problem with the 16 planer. But the electric isn't running at 45D, even though it has the larger planer on it. I assume due to the additional length I have out. Both downriggers have the long booms and are running right off the back of the stern. I use the typical double end swivels/#64 rubber bands deal to drop my mainlines down. No change really in the running angle with mainlines attached or no.

I know I can try the 32 planer, but am interested in finding a way to get the 16's and 24's to run deeper instead. I've tried planers off cleats, but since I'm fishing a smaller boat, I don't want to handline in all the planer line then worry about a place to put it. I'll either go with the downriggers or off a rod. I'm trolling at 4.5-6K for bluefin. Don't want much faster than that. Maybe a touch more if downsea. Anyone know about how much drag pressure the 24 planer puts on the line at 6K speed? I'll have to try to remember to measure it Friday while I'm out there.

Thanks for the responses. Just thinking there should be some way to get a 16 or 24 to dig deeper. Sounds like one place to start will be with a smaller break strength/diameter braid than what I'm using. But still seems like I'm missing something. The ZWings really dig in. So seems like a planer could be made to do about the same by changing aerodynamics or position of the attachment point of the line.

JB

[flatbottom]

nice to meet ya here old salty i use your planers and they deliver results as promised just like a preacher on a sundy mornin sermion. Great product and great info guys