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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Striper Fishing with Planer Boards
November 2, 2008
Many boats fish near the Perth and Williamson Road bridges during the fall and winter months. They are easily seen by the occupants of cars passing over the bridges, and it’s easy to determine what specific anglers are fishing for. Bass fishermen spend most of their time casting from a standing position, while crappie fishermen surround the boat with long poles and floats. Striper fishermen usually remain seated when not reeling in a fish, but the real giveaways of striper anglers are the brightly colored planer boards seen trailing behind and beside their boats. Planer boards serve multiple purposes and are a “must have” item for Lake Norman striper fishermen.
Planer boards allow an angler to cover a large swath of water. Think of the fishing area as a lawn to be mowed and the boat as a lawnmower. As you slowly pull the baits along, they cover a swath of about fifteen or twenty feet, depending on the beam of the boat and the length of the rods being used. Planer boards, attached to lines at the side of the boat, can easily double or triple the swath by paying out line. The same is accomplished when mowing a lawn by using a twenty, forty or sixty inch mower.
Planers provide other advantages. They distance baits far from the boat, which helps prevent the spooking of suspicious fish. The boards also allow one to use lures in water more shallow than a boat can run. Properly positioned boards allow anglers to fish more lines and to minimize the chance of tangling. A popular technique is to position the inshore board(s) so they pass inside near docks, while the outside board(s) are slightly weighted and swim the channel side.
Boards can be quite effective in calm or shallow water. The greater the distance they are from the boat, the better. Anglers might set them to run 100’ off each side. It is important to angle the rods high enough so that the line doesn't drag. Weights can be added to sink baits to a desired depth. In rough water, it is easier to see and control the boards close to the boat.
Planer boards are easy to rig. Position the bait 10’ or more from the boat and attach the line to the alligator clip on the front of the board. Close the rear snap over the line. When secured, place the board in the water and pay out the desired distance. When a strike occurs, the line snaps from the clip and pulls through the snap. It is stopped by a bead placed above the two-way swivel that connects the leader to the hook.
Planers are designed to float upright. They are made of wood, plastic, metal or Styrofoam, and are sold in sets of left and right. Popular colors are orange and chartreuse. Both colors are easy to see in rough water. Boards come in lengths up to twenty-four inches. Smaller ones work best with light tackle. Larger boards are used with heavy tackle, large baits and in rough conditions. Planer boards can be purchased at local tackle shops or online at http://www.lakenormanstriperfishing.com/shopMiniPlanerBoards.htm
Tips from Capt. Gus!
By varying the boat speed, baits will rise and lower in the water column. The erratic action often triggers strikes.
Upcoming events:
“Fishing 101” will be a two evening course conducted by Capt. Gus Gustafson at Mitchell Community College, 219 Academy St, Mooresville, NC. The class will be held on consecutive Wednesday nights beginning November 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm. The first session will consist of the basic tackle, bait and methods employed when fishing from the shore, docks, piers and boats. The November 19, 2008 session will discuss the details of locating and catching bass, stripers and perch on Lake Norman. Registration fee is $35.00. Call 704-663-1923 to pre-register.
A free Seminar on “How to Catch Fall & Winter Catfish” is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 6:30 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Mooresville, Exit 36. The class will be conducted by Lake Norman Catfish fishing guides Mac Byrum and Capt .Gus Gustafson. The how’s when’s and where’s of catching cold weather trophy catfish will be discussed. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.
Hot Spots of the Week:
Cooler water temperatures have stripers and bass chasing baits to the surface in most major creeks. Hicks, Stumpy, Mountain and Davidson Creeks have been particularly productive. The lower hot hole at the McGuire Nuclear Plant is also producing limits of spotted bass and stripers.
The Lake Level is down 2.5 feet from full pond. All public boat ramps are open. The water surface temperature is in the high sixties and low seventies.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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