Hi,

Its ALL about the cash flow, you can put into on your gear.
The Downrigger/Planer set up does work with a break away
release. Blacks, or Double sided coast lock snap #64 Rubber band combo.
The advantage to the DFA Planer Rod is speed, depth and versatility.

The Planer Rod with a Tiagara80 can be used as a downrigger, Meat Stick, or in a stand up harness. It also can be removed from the Rod Holder when fighting another fish on the same side of the boat. As a downrigger sometimes will get in the way, when fighting a fish near where it is mounted.

Here is a few vids by WAHOONBOX (aka Marty Hiatt)
Demonstrating the Planer Rod/ #16or #24 Old Salty Planer combo
(The only Diving Planer you can trip for easy retreival)

http://www.sportfishermen.com/movies/fishing_videos/196
http://www.sportfishermen.com/movies/fishing_videos/197

This is not the only way, but it is starting to become very popular
up & down the eastern seaboard.

Good Fishin',
Team Old Salty
east coast - H.T.D. Corporation - Upper Saddle River N.J. 07458
west coast- Old Salty Tackle Co- Newberg OR. 97132
web orders- www.oldsaltytackle.com
Diving Planers - Flashers - Terminal Tackle