Planning on trolling for some Spanish Macks using #1 & #2 planers. In the past, we had the planers/clarkspoon with 15-20ft of leader all running off of one pole, sometimes while reeling in the line we are fighting the planer not the fish. I am going to try something new this Friday, wanted to know if anybody has tried it and if you think it may work or not.

Attach planers with 50ft of 65 lb breaded line to aft cleats of boat, Fishing pole #1; attach one side of a double clip swivel to planer line and the other side of double clip swivel to a rubberband that is wrapped approx 4 times around line about 20ft above clarkspoon. Let line out so double swivel runs all the way down to planer. Fishing pole #2; Do the same thing with another clarkspoon on the same planer but only run it down half way. Repeat setup for other planer.

This allows 4 poles to use 2 planers.

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?
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keep the pliers and kife ready to get all the tangles out haha sorry couldnt resist

...its spanish trolling...I would not complicate it..., if you want to use hand lines just put the planers on the cleats on nylon rope and hand pull them in, just as effective as fishing rods.

I know people use a similar method for rockfish in the northern parts of the bay with those big sleds/planer boards that go out to the sides. You might be asking for a cluster though. Let us know if it works if you try it.

I'm intrigued. Let us know how it works out.

#1 and #2 planers run at different angles off the rear of the boat, so we just ran the #2s in front of the #1s and were able to troll three rods with only one tangle (which was operator error while setting the #2) We would have tried the fourth but one of our #2s went missing. Anyway, the action was slow but we did catch at least one fish on each of the planars with no problems - a little risky but a lot less hassle

Just wondering how long the Spanish Macks stay in this area?

No serisouly it could make just one big mess, two problems off the top of my head that would/might/probably occur.

1) the rubber band to mono clark line, will not allow the clark spoon any ball bearing swivel. Therefore clark spoon spins and spins, twisting line into one big mess. (my clark spoon swivels themselves do not work good enough, and a barrel swivel at the p laner conection is always needed to reduce twists.)

2) any changes in direction and the top clark spoon will fall with the slower speed and thus just tangle and wrap itself around the lower one.

I see what you are saying about the swivel, I will attach a swivel on the leader. Setup will be similar to below picture, except I'm gonna try two poles on one planer.


Click to view attachment

That sounds over complicated for some Spanish Macks, A small #1 planer and 20 foot 20lb test leader to a 000 Clark spoon works fine.We have been getting 35 to 50 per trip right outside the inlet.Those planers staying in the water will create a tangleous situation I guarntee it.

yes i have used this similar hand line set up with good results off of Orgen inlet NC with a light NE wind. Tie to the back cleates with a 50 foot cord to #2
planer and barrel swivel to 20 foot leader and use no swivel at clark spoon. Spanish are sharp eyed and fast fish and i found that trolling at 1500 to1800 RPMs was the ticket. The most fish we caught that day would hit the handline first before the other rods alot fo times. hope this helps; Burt Price NC

I use trolling weights from 1 oz- 3oz snap swivels on either side to help with line twist. 20 ft leaders of 20-30 lb mono or floro. gold clarks in 00 have always been the best. troll about 4 knots . Like Mega said keep it simple and close to the beach.
Todd

I've never tried that, but seems worth a try. When I fished the upper bay we put out planing boards as someone mentioned. We fished up to 5 lines on each board with doubled parachutes and small umbrellas on 'em (and BIG rubberbands). Instead of using a swivel to run the main line out on the board cord, we used cheap-o shower curtain clips and rubberbands. The shower ring bounces down the cord a lot easier than any swivel would. Plus you can easily break the ring if need be. For spanish you better get some small rubberbands too.

If you are going to do all that....with the planer thing.....I have just run hand lines on 80b mono from the cleats to #1 planers ....20ft of 20 lb to a clark or small drone. ....I did this alot when I used to commercial fish out of hatteras for spanish and kings....I have done it up in the bay but it's only worth it if they are thick. Done the same for bigger kings with 100lb to a #6 planer and long leader to a drone. Gets kinda dicey hand lining a 40lb king. good luck !

M.E.