Question and Answer Categories are:


RELEASES

Q. We have been using your OR2 Medium Tension Stacker Downrigger Releases for years and have found them to break at the same point where the two are clipped together. What are we doing wrong?

A. Breakage occurs when the clip to the downrigger cable was placed above the snap that lets it slide down the cable when released. When the OR2 is used properly (as per the directions on the packaging), you will not have this breakage. Always follow the directions supplied with our products. You can also find the instructions on this site under the Instructions tab.


Q. While watching the Best Chance Too Fishing Tips DVD this past weekend, Bill and Dave mentioned using your offshore clip for running fixed sliders. This clip would be clipped to the monofilament that runs to the pole. What Off Shore clip do you recommend? I am guessing that I should use the OR16 or OR19. Which of these snaps is smaller and has heavier tension?

A. You could use either the orange OR19 or the black OR14. The OR19 has heavier tension while the OR14 will probably do the job as a fixed slider. While some use the OR16, I don't recommend it. The OR16 has a pin protruding through the center of the pad and cannot be tripped from the line easily. The OR16 and the OR19 have the same heavy tension and all 3 are the same size.


Q. I am purchasing a set of planer boards and I need some clarification about the releases. I use 30lb PowerPro and I usually fish for walleye. Can I use the OR18 Adjustable Snapper Release for all fishing conditions or do you recommend having a variety?

A. The Snapper (OR18) would be the ticket for that application and for mono as well. You may have to tighten the screw in the bottom of the Snapper a little for the slippery PowerPro. Tighten the screw about 1/4 turn at a time.


Q. I wanted to ask what planer boards and releases you would recommend for in line trolling for muskie? We use mostly 80lb braid with an occasional 65lb braid and "medium" diving 8"-12" crankbaits. Troll speed is around 3.5-4 mph. Any information on what products and how to do an initial set up would be greatly appreciated.

A. I would use the OR31 (orange) Side Planer SST. The OR31 comes with an OR19 release and I would give that a try; if it did not handle the size lure you're using, then get the Snapper Release (OR18). I think the way the OR31 comes should work though.


Q. My buddy is getting started in walleye trolling and purchased four of your snapper releases for his Off Shore planer boards. The problem is, when the releases are tightened enough to hold on FireLine, they are very difficult to release. Any suggestions? I have older snapper releases on older Off Shore boards and don't seem to have that problem.

A. We haven't made any changes on the Snappers.


Q. I was wondering if you would sell me a set of 6 Off Shore planer boards, pre-rigged with the tattle flag and the adjustable clamp-down clips. I have looked into buying all of this separately; however, it gets very pricey and is a lot of work to set all of that up. Why don't you offer them that way "off-the-shelf"?

A. We do not specially make up the pre-rigging assemblies due to the fact that we need to stay within what our retailers sell and have available (which limits SKU's). Usually we have found that most anglers use the boards with different setups during different fishing adventures. So when they purchase the accessories, they still have all of the original equipment to use under different situations that would produce more fish for them. The boards were on the market long before the tattle flag system and then the OR18's came out so this is another reason for not packaging or specializing in setups. As the fishing venues change, we will be coming out with more options for the rigging and usage of the boards. The accessories allow the angler more of an adaptation to their needs at a particular time which may change by the hour of fishing and the conditions.

The cam action of the OR18's will not work with the tattle flag setup, only the OR16's. You can purchase the items separately for converting your boards over to tattle flag set up if you already have the OR16's.


Q. I recently purchased OR8 release clips to be used on flat line booms. Package said downrigger release but they told me at the store that they were also used for flat line booms. I will be using them for trolling for striped bass (we call them rockfish) here on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Your thoughts, OK or not?

A. I am assuming that flat line booms are similar to outriggers in technique. The OR8 will work fine there. They will grip very tight and should assure you of a good hook set when a striper hits.


Q. In regards to FireLine, which release is better to use the OR19 or the OR18? Do I need 2 for each board or do I just need to replace the bracket release? I need to order as soon as possible. Can I order online?

A. The OR18 will be the best for FireLine. The OR19 works and is used by a lot of salmon anglers where they want a release to trip with a fish. I would recommend the OR18 as the best for walleye and FireLine. They are available at Cabela's, Gander Mountain and many other retailers. If you cannot find them there, they are available online.


Q. I am trolling with 14lb x 6 FireLine and my boards are constantly coming off. I am looping the line. Do I need different clips?

A. Yes, you do need a different release for that thin FireLine. The standard release on the board is for mono in the 10 to 12 pound range. You need the OR19 (orange) release or the OR18 Snapper Release.


Q. How many years could you expect the pads to last in occasional fishing use (10 to 12 trips per year) in fresh water?

A. The material is a gasket type of rubber and should last a long time if not exposed to heat or lots of sun. It may dry out in time, but I know I have had releases on my charter boat in the old days that were several years old. What they will probably show if they are old is they are hard and not supple any longer. It is not too difficult to change the pads and the replacement pads are available at your local retail store or through us directly.


Q. I picked up a pack of your planer board releases at Captain Hooks Sports (I think they are the yellow OR10's) to replace the releases on a couple of Yellow Bird planer boards. On my initial attempt at using them, I couldn't keep the line in the release. It would pop out almost immediately. I was using 20# mono pulling a surface plug and or spoon with a ½ oz weight. The spring was pushed toward the pinch pads. Am I doing something wrong or were these the wrong releases to get for this purpose?

A. The OR10's are too light for that application so you need the black OR14 Adjustable Medium Tension Release which is the next level up in tension. If you were fishing salmon or at a higher speed, the orange OR19 Adjustable Heavy Tension Release would be your best choice.


Q. I'm just starting to get into open water fishing in the Great Lakes with downriggers. I was reading on your web page article about the add-a-line method. I have used a stacker with another rod but I like this idea of adding a second line at a controlled depth on the same rod. My questions are:

1. How far up from the downrigger weight can I go? I have your downrigger release attached to the back of the cannonball for the main line but I'm worried about the bow in the line. This method will bring the main line bow back toward the wire. Any problem with this? Will this not be a double bow now?

2. Do I need to provide a stop down near the bottom of the main line to prevent this extra line from sliding all of the way down? My concern would be when a fish hits the main line and this slides down. If the extra line is 6 feet (give or take) a foot in length, would the stop be at 10 feet preventing this from getting in the way of the fish or is it best to just let it slide down and trail behind the fish?

A. This procedure of stacking is easier to do than talk about but here it goes. First off, you use a black OR14 or an orange OR19 release attached to about 5 feet of line (the same pound test as your main fishing line). I use a snap swivel on each end and one of the split rings that come with the releases. I set my main line in the cannonball release, lower the ball 6 to 10 feet and pinch on the OR14 or OR19 release. If I am trying to fish two different water temperatures, I lower the ball until the stacker would be at the upper temperature. As for a line stop, none is needed since the lure on the main line will act as the stop.


Q. I purchased 2 yellow Off Shore in line planers last year. I am running #30 Powerpro braided line on my Daiwa Sealine level wind reels. This high quality braided line continues to slip through the pads of the release.

A. The instruction sheets are included with every Side Planer and explains the different types of releases for different applications. Your use of PowerPro is an application which requires a special release or at least wrapping the line around the release once. We have many top pro anglers using these products for all applications including salt water and muskie. My recommendation would be to add the OR18 Snapper Release to the bracket and use the pigtail on the back.