Planers versus Downriggers (giant bft)

[Capt. Jon Tennant]

Bennie,
When fishing for GBFT the downrigger is used to pull the planer with, ie: easier & faster than hand linning it up after a strike. Planer rods are used in the same fashion as the down rigger- only to pull the planer. The baited line is then connected to the planer line by a two way swivel or big paper clip and break away rubber band so on strike your bait is snaped loose from the planer. At that point the planer has to be cleared by either downrigger, planer rod, or handline. I know of no way to use cannon balls or weights of any kind that can be fished at speeds over about 3.5 knots on the downrigger, way to much blowback. Hope this helps.

[FASTWATER]

Downriggers work towing cannonballs at 6 to 8 knots guys it just takes alot of lead as I mentioned in another thread we use 30# balls!!! As a planer over a rigger I don't think their is much of a difference I think it is a personnel thing alot of Guys commercial use them for tuna because a push of a button and they are out of your way some of the commercial boats use planers on them some use leads' I just like the no muss of riggers as Admin. said "It is what I am use to, but as my Pappy use to say drop that lead and hit em in the Head!!!PEACE

[Old Salty]

Hi,

If you attempt to run a Downrigger at High Speed,
with a lead ball it will wander right up in the water.
Also you are putting uneccesary massive pull on
your downrigger causing it possibly to break.

Running a #24 Old Salty Planer on a Hand-Line with 300
lb. mono is the way to go, with a break away for your
Rod Line. Double Sided Coastlock snap & Swivel with #64 band. The Planer Holds a controlled depth
at 50-60ft. with 100ft. of 300lb. mono. When a lg. giant hits, you can easily trip the Planer after the giant breaks
away at the band. To get the Planer out of the water.

The Planer is designed to get your line down deep in the
water, without the use of heavy weights. And after the fish strike you can trip the Planer, so it will start to surface without heavy drag weight.
See our pics & diagrams below

Team Old Salty
www.oldsaltytackle.com
Diving Planers - Flashers - Terminal Tackle

[jbrob]

Have I been taking asshole pills or something lately that I don't know about? Sorry guys.

All I can say is READ what is written.
Hell yea, I guarandamntee you, a down rigger will catch a giant sometimes. and if you want to do that technique, go for it and it will probabally work very well for you if you have confidence in it.
My post was simply one of safety for the "new to Giant BFT" that want to tangle with one of these brutes. I don't want anyone to get hurt by trying to unhook a bridled planer with a 400+ lb fish on the other end. I don't care if you run a Green Machine Spreader bar on your WWWWWWFB, doesn't hurt my feelings any. Please simply read what is written before ta'll respond thinking I'm fussing, busing, bitching, etc.

READ PEOPLE, READ--- then ***** as warranted
Thank you

Its also easier to clear the down rigger if you get a bite on the surface. Breaking loose a #24 planer is no easy job.

We have used both but we don't use the detatchable planer rig. We use a down rigger most of the time with rubber bands to hold the line and a similar type of thing with the planer letting the line go down to the planer. If you don't troll real fast some people use a planer on a downrigger instead of a ball to get the bait deeper with the same amount of line out.

Personally I like the down rigger because its easy and getting the ball up takes little time when you get a hook up and much less time in case of a surface bite. The Morehead Fleet swears by planers though. And they catch fish. But I'm like you, with a 400 Lb. + fish I don't want to be back there trying to take off the planer during the fight.

[Old Salty]

Hi Again,

OK I'm going to contradict myself now.
If your Downrigger can withstand up to 6knots,
with 54lbs. of drag behind it.
You can troll a #24 Old Salty Planer, on it.
With the double snap swivel/ rubber band combo.
For your Rod release.
This method is used in N.C., & Florida trolling for Kings.
They also troll for grouper using this method in Fla.

IF YOU DONT HAVE DOWNRIGGERS, THEN THE MOST
COMMON & EFFICIENT WAYS IS HAND-LINES.

Old Salty
www.oldsaltytackle.com

P.S. You dont want to be running cable on the rigger though. It causes to much hum in the water, and can actually scare the fish.