Quinte Fishing

Was only able to fish from 3 - 6:30 on Friday, with two perch the result. Saturday, my partners weren't keen on going out in the wind, waves and rain so we ended up taking her dock out for her instead. Methinks I need braver fishing partners! Saw a total of 4 boats out on the bay, 3 heading out towards the reach and one trollling the Bayview shoal. Fished Sherman's, Thompson's and then the West wall. Marked lots of fish in the 24 - 40+ foot depths along the wall. Tried snap weights for the first time and they seemed to get the lures down pretty good.

I think I'll try Targa2's suggestion on the planer boards. I've never used them before and don't know much about them. Is the purpose of them to get the bait/lure down deep or just to get them away from the boat so as not to spook the fish or both? Was just wondering why fish will bite like crazy during the summer in the middle of 30 boats trolling in 14 ft of water and not so much in the later months in much deeper water where presumably the commotion from a kicker would be less than in the shallow water. I'm assuming it's because these bigger fish are big for a reason....they're smarter and require more stealthy tactics? Anyone with any pointers?

Ken

Ken I a'm going down thurs any chance you will be there.If so where do you stayI SAY FORGET THE BOARDS AND POUND THE WATER good luck will report back on mon. fatman

Planer boards - Used to get the lines away from the boat. There is no depth control with planer boards unless you are using snap weights or such.

Why fish bit in the summer but not in the fall - My thinking is that during the summer the bay does not have these huge schools of shad swimming in the bay. Therefore the walleye are forced to feed on other baitfish which don't occur in such high numbers. This means, the walleye will be more agressive to lure presentations during to the availablility of baitfish. In the fall, the walleye move in from lake Ontario with the shad. Since there is lots of baitfish around the walleye don't have to work so hard to feed and therefore are not hungry or aggressive very long (can fill up quick on shad). Location is also tough because the walleye will be more suspending while searching for the schools of shad.

Not sure if this is correct or not but that is my thinking.

Hopefully we can figure them out this weekend as we will be done on the Bay.

Cheers,

Mike

_________________
Wish I wasn't here...Rather be fishing if you know what I mean

Ken,since you are one of the few people willing to reveal you weekly results,I may be of help with planer-board applications, I have used boards since the early 80's, old original Rovers before cannon bought the patent and ruined a good design,1st the main use is to target fish spooked by your boat in clear waterways,also they can be used to fish a weed edge while keeping your boat in deeper water and they are excellent for suspended fish in open water basins with few snags to contend with, watch your depthfinder, get the Precision Trolling guide,buy lures to fish depths to 40ft., fish can be anywhere in the water column so try high then gradully deepen your pattern, then as light fades you want to come back up,the fish on your finder should give you a starting point,keep moving till you find fish, I prefer not to be around alot of bait as I'm looking for pods of big hooks, once found punch in GPS coordinates and try different attacks,aggressive plugs,limited action plugs,speed changing, S-turns are great with boards,if you turn left your left board goes slower and the right board speeds up,if you pop a fish adjust your overall speed accordingly.

Here's a trick I've learned about suspended fish and boards:

If you are marking fish that seem to be "decending" and you pass over them, they are likly just moving off to the sides of your boat. Because your fishfinder's sonar signal is cone-shaped, a fish marked near the edge of the cone will appear as deeper than one near the middle. Therefore, a fish that moves away for your boat while it is being marked by the fishfinder will appear to be heading deeper. It's a sure sign it's time to break out the boards. I've also found these "moving" fish tend to be more active and more willing to bite.

Good Luck
Linz

Thanks for all the tips guys. I was just checking out prices in LeB's catalog and noticed that the boards were quite pricey....from $38 to $95 a pop. Would dipsey diver's accomplish the same thing? Also, with boards do I need a mast? Was also noticing in the Info/Articles section of this website, instructions on making homemade boards...anyone try them yet? Lot's of questions from a first time fall fisherman and all your replies are GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks guys
Ken

Hey Fatman,

good to hear from ya! Didn't see anyone's vehicles at Perfect Vue so didn't stop in last weekend. I think they had a couple of cottagers though. The weather looks like it will be quite accomodating this Saturday. I spoke with the Social Butterfly today and he'll let me know Thursday if he wants to go up with me. If we come up it'll probably only be for the day as we no longer have a dock to use...unless Vince still has his in. We'll be sure to stop by if we come up! Don't know if the Butterfly's wife would let him stay overnight but we may be able to bunk in with Vince if he's around. Hope to see you this weekend, if not get a double digit 'eye for me and say hi to the wife.

Ken

Ken,

The planer board mast is used to keep the lines off the water and allows the clips to slide down from the boat to the planer board.

In terms of buying the boards, you don't need too. There is an excellent home made instruction page on this site. I have made them using these instructions and they work awesome. A lot cheaper too.

How made planer boards

Now, with the planer boards and mast, you will also need a hand full of clips. You basically let out some line behind the boat, use a clip to attach you line to the planer board line. This clip will than slide down the planer board line away from the boat. There is an article on how to make thiese as well:

Planer board clips

You can also buy these from Off Shore Tackle but they are expensive ,16-18 bucks for 4 (get the black clips).

You can also use an in-line planer board which do not require a mast. How made plans for these:

How Made In-line Boards

The in-line planer boards are also effective but because they are on your line during the fighting of the fish it does limit the fighting action.

If you wish to buy these Le Baron sells the Off Shore Tackle ones for 35 bucks. Canadian tire also sells another brand (sorry I don't what it is) for I think 25 bucks.

Now, can't say I am an expert on this. I have just done it before. But if you want to read up more on it here is a copy of articles on it:

In-fisherman Article - In-line

In-fisherman

Good luck.

Mike

_________________
Wish I wasn't here...Rather be fishing if you know what I mean

Ken,you want in-line boards,they attach to your line,probably 25 bucks each in Cabela's,one good rod holder that adjusts up and down,you don't hold these rods,A levelwind trolling reel with clicker and med. to med heavy casting or trolling rod,the longer the better,I prefer 8 footers. I do not use mono lines, I use soft rods,attach your mann's 20 plug,let out desired lengh of line, attach board,let out 100' more line,set in rod holder with tip of rod 45 to 60 degrees up ,set trolling speed, set reel clicker on,loosen your drag till line starts to leave reel,tighten enough to stop,as soon as any added weight,like maybe a fish or a snag is added,the reel clicker will alert you,so you don't have to keep your eyes on the boards constantly,this is for open water,not shallow edges,try that after you get a feel for this.I also go nowhere without a hydro map of the body I'm fishing and remember one thing,this is not for high traffic areas unless you like ticking people off,use your map,find same conditions where traffic is light ,after all this is fishing,enjoy!

Hey Fatman,

the Social Butterfly had his wings clipped and won't be able to go up this weekend. I may still come up on my own for the day as the weather is looking AMAZING! Hope to see ya this weekend.

Ken

Ken I am going up this morning you can always use my place for a resting area and refreshments see you there Fatman

Mike, you say you have made boards from the plans on this site. These plans call for use of Redwood which is hard to find. What type of wood did you use? Did you deviate from the plans in any other way? Did you construct or buy a mast? If construct, do you have any plans others could use?

Thx....Barry

Barry,

I didn't used redwood for the planer boards. I used 1x6 pressure treated wood. It was the close to the right height and thickness so you just have to cut to length.

In terms of a mast. I have construted one but it is basically a work in progress. This winter should be interesting. In the mean time I am fishing with my buddy who bought a mast. Works awesome. If you can afford the 350 buck I would suggest to buy one.

I see if I can get some pics of the mast and boards posted.

Cheers,

Mike

_________________
Wish I wasn't here...Rather be fishing if you know what I mean

Thx for the comeback Mike...Look forward to the pics....Barry