The Making Of The Perfect Planer Board Release

BY MARK ROMANACK

The weakest link in any planer board set up is the line release. If the line release doesn’t function flawlessly, the board trolling presentation suffers. That’s why Off Shore Tackle doesn’t manufacture just one line release for board trolling applications, but nine uniquely different line releases and line clips.

Our Half Size Adjustable Tension Planer Board Releases And Clip

OR10

The OR10 (yellow) is the lightest tension line release in the Off Shore Tackle line up. This release comes as standard equipment on the OR38 Awesome Crappie Board and is also popular with walleye anglers who troll using a planer board mast system. Thanks to a sliding spring tension setting, the OR10 can be adjusted to provide two different tension settings. Using a simple flat bladed screw driver, the spring can be slid into the forward position to increase the release tension or slid to the back position for lighter trolling applications. The OR10 fits the bracket on the Awesome Crappie Board perfectly or you can add a shower curtain hook for fishing this release with a planer board mast system. Replacement rubber pads are sold separately, making this line release both functional and economical.

OR14

The OR14 (black) features a slightly heavier spring tension than its cousin the OR10. Most commonly used as a line release for anglers who troll using a planer board mast system, the OR14 has the perfect spring tension for trolling spoons, spinners and crankbaits for walleye, brown trout, coho salmon and kokanee. Like the OR10, the OR14 features two spring tension settings that can easily be adjusted using a flat bladed screw driver.

OR16

The OR16 Pro Clip (red) was designed around the OR20 Pro Weight System. This unique line clip features a heavy tension spring and a plastic pin that protrudes through the center of the rubber pads. When the line is placed behind this pin, trolling weights such as the OR20 series Guppy Weight can be placed on the fishing line anywhere between the lure and rod tip. The pin in the OR16 ensures that trolling sinkers stay on the line yet are easy to remove when fighting a fish. The OR16 also comes as standard equipment on the OR12 Side Planer, the OR38 Awesome Crappie Board and the OR37 SST Pro Mag planer boards.

OR19

The OR19 (orange) is a heavy tension line release designed for use on the OR12 Side Planer Board. The extra tension of this line release makes it possible to fish the OR12 Side Planer at high speeds and in rough water without worrying about false releases. The OR19 also doubles as a heavy tension line release for anglers who target larger species such as muskie, northern pike, striper, salmon, steelhead and trout using a planer board mast system.

Our Full Size Planer Board Releases

OR18

The OR18 Snapper Release is a cam operated line release designed to hold thin and slippery fused and super braid lines. This line release is commonly used as an upgrade on the OR12 Side Planer and comes as standard equipment on the OR37 SST Pro Mag Planer board.

OR39

The OR39 Pro Sam’s Release is produced by the Silver Horde and private labeled to Off Shore Tackle. This unique line release is designed to function with super lines, providing anglers the unique opportunity to rig up their boards to release when a fish strikes. The OR39 can be mounted rigid to the bracket of all Off Shore Tackle planer boards using a supplied bolt and lock nut or attached loose using the supplied split ring.

OR3

The OR3 (white) features larger rubber pads designed for trolling in rough water or at faster speeds. Commonly used for walleye, coho, brown trout and kokanee trolling applications, the OR3 is a favorite of charter captains coast to coast.

OR17BWW

The OR17BWW (black) features the famous OR1 downrigger release. This is the line release that started it all. Designed for planer board mast trolling situations that involve using heavy gear such as lead core line, stranded copper line, weighted stainless steel wire, rotators, dodger, cowbells, etc., the extra tension is perfect for targeting trout, salmon, muskie and a host of small to medium sized saltwater species.

OR30BWW

The OR30BWW (red) is the heaviest full size line release in the Off Shore Tackle line up. Designed with dual springs, the OR30BWW is commonly used by muskie anglers who troll fast and with large lures such as magnum plugs and bucktail spinners. The OR30BWW is also popular with big game saltwater trollers who commonly troll at 6 to 8 knots!

Summing It Up

Because no single line release can function flawlessly at every trolling application, Off Shore Tackle makes nine different line releases and clips for the avid board trolling enthusiast. No other manufacturer produces this many line releases, providing yet another reason that Off Shore Tackle is “Your Leader in Trolling Technology”.