Tattle Flags - Necessary or Not ?

trophycraft · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:41 am

Hello everyone,

I currently run 6 Off Shore OR12 planer boards stock out of the package. They have worked very well although sometimes it hard to know when I've hooked a smaller fish. I am considering purchasing offshore tattle flag upgrade kits. They are $42 plus tax each. Are they worth the extra money? Are they necessary at all? please share your experience with me regarding the use of tattle flags versus stock boards.

I also saw some yellow birds planer boards with tattle flags for $35 plus tax. The boards are slightly smaller than the Off Shore's. It's actually cheaper to purchase 6 brand new yellow bird boards with tattle flag than it is to purchase six tattle flag upgrade kits for the Off Shore boards. does it make sense for me just to purchase the yellow bird boards or would I be better to spend the extra money to upgrade my offshore boards?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Kevin

Bobv75 · **Joined:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:23 am **Posts:** 194

I have some with the flag and some without. I find the flag handy for telling you about weeds on the line or a small perch. I don't spend the extra money now.
I use lead core and bigger baits most of the time and the flag always goes back. Plus it would make me sick to snag bottom or snap line and lose $100 board.
I have some cheaper boards that I bought on amazon, they have the tattletale flag and you can buy them for $65 for a set of left and right. They work ok but still prefer the offshore or wallyeye boards.

Superdad · **Posted:** Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:44 am

Don't buy the tattle flag kits from off shore, way too expensive.

Have a look at this

https://www.ohiogamefishing.com/threads/homemade-tattle-tails-flags.141035/

We've been using these and gotten some stronger wire over the years, but all we change are elastic bands.

F Y I

Jim Lyon · **Joined:** Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:12 pm **Posts:** 423

I don't think they are necessary if you are fishing the great lakes, and it sure isn't necessary to pay the ridiculous price of the "upgrade kit" I like a lot of others made my own. I used downrigger cable on mine and most guys have the red clips anyway. Now the spring is the one part you may need to buy as I frigged around with a bunch of different springs that never worked right so I ordered a bunch from Off Shore. If you are in Kingston bring them over and I will do them for $10.00 a board including the spring.

BigMac · **Joined:** Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:18 pm **Posts:** 1383

Nothing is ever really necessary, it’s about comfort and confidence.

I didn’t have tattle flags until 2-3 years ago. Now I wouldn’t go without. I’ve caught numerous fish that didn’t drop the board back, and not small fish either. I’ve had 7-8lb eyes that didn’t rip it back. The largest difference however, is knowing on an inside turn because the flag will move with a strike even though the board might not due to less tension on the board. As mentioned above it also helps with weeds, bottom and small fish as you can see it more clearly.

Not worth 42$ a board tho!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jim Lyon · **Joined:** Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:12 pm **Posts:** 423

Bob...I think its $42.00 per kit ( 2 boards ) still ridiculous

trophycraft · **Posted:** Wed Nov 20, 2019 3:34 pm

Thank you everyone for your replies. For the rest of this season I have decided just to continue with my unmodified, stock boards. They have worked well so far. Some very good suggestions here and I very much have the mind set "if you can do it, I can do it" so I'm likely going to do my own modifications over the winter. I think I can upgrade them all pretty cheap although I will keep two of the just as stock boards for when I am salmon fishing. $42 for the upgrade kits is outrageous!

Thanks again for all your insight!

Cheers, Kevin

Roblin · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:53 pm **Posts:** 842

They're not necessary right now. Your planer disappears when you have a fish on.

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Tattle Flags - Necessary or Not ?

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