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Otter Boats
RedFerrari 
 		  Port: Kewaunee Wi   12/31/2005 17:40
Steelhead
Posts: 161
 

OK. I would appreciate your thoughts/experiences with BJ Otter boats. Am looking to maybe purchase a pair, My experences with boards have given less then desirable results. Will still use off-shore or that ilk at times, but am looking at a larger spread and less drag on the fish !

Thanks.
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Re:Otter Boats
t3pt6k 
 		  Port: Grand Haven, MI   01/01/2006 11:06
Admin
Posts: 2447
 

We've never used the otter boats ... but we have used double ski planat boards - homemade ones and the Riviera Planar boards. I've never used the for running cores though.

The concern I would have with running cores is once a core goes you can get the core back into the same position with pulling the other ones. I'd be somewhat concerned with get a longer/deeper core outside of a shorter/shallower core, it might present a tangle problem - not really sure.

It certainly would be nice to not have to fight the boat on the way in. Hopefully some of our members run cores this way and will have some insight.
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Re:Otter Boats
ReelDealtoo 
 		  Port: Port Sheldon, Grand Haven and Ludington   01/01/2006 15:44
Brookie
Posts: 35
 

A friend of ours used to run cores off the big ski type board. He never ran more the a full core off of this. The full core put a big drag on the tow line. As far as mono lines off the big boards I think they worked real good if you could get a good release. Legendary products makes a good tension clip release that slides on the tow line good. We like running in-line boards for the simplicity and ease of re-setting them back into your spread. We trip our boards on any core upto 5 colores and haven't noticed any wear on the core it self from the board slidding down the core. Making sure you have a speed bead 3' above your lure to stop the board from hitting the fish.
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Re:Otter Boats
admin 
 		    01/11/2006 20:18
Admin
Posts: 84
 

I own both inline as well as Otter Boats and each has its own application pros/cons IMHO.

If I only need to run a couple of set-ups in my spread, then I'll run inline boards. Inline boards are easier to put back into the spread/redeploy, but I hate having to reset inline boards due to wave induced releases. In addition, what type of line that you are using (mono vs. braid) will determine what inline board release you will need to go with which may cost some additional $$$ for the upgrade.

If I'm running more than 2 set-ups in my spread that need to be out from the boat or if all of my set-ups need to be out from the boat such as skinny water trolling, I'll break out the Otter Boats. Otter Boats typically don't require a special release based on what line you are using and false/wave-induced releases are virtually nonexistent for me.

Fighting a fish clean is a blast, but fighting a fish when you use the release/slide back inline board method isn't too shabby either. What I hate (because I fish solo often) is the manual inline release method where you have to remove the board before you can reel any further as you have to do with leadcore wire set-ups.

If you elect to purchase Otter Boats, you can increase their tracking by adding a winged keel-a design that was discussed on another fishing website.

Because my boat rides so low in the water, I added a 4' mast section to increase the tether slope to the Otter Boats which zips the release down to the desired spot.

My Otter Boat release of choice is a simple #16 rubber band cinched to the line with the tag end loop threaded to a shower curtain hanger attached to the tether line.

I’m sure others on the site have preferences and tips regarding inline boars Otter Boats, so I’ll defer to them.

Good Luck!

Steve Yonker
a.k.a.Limp Bait

from: syonker
Team Water Hazard
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Re:Otter Boats
BFG 
 		  Port: Anchor Point, Lake Erie   01/26/2006 08:07
King
Posts: 975
 

I've fished on boats that used the Otter boats. Can't say that they were better than inlines, but yes..it was nice to catch fish and not have to fight a board. As mentioned above, one problem with them is if you are running various amounts of core, trying to keep the deepest sets closer to the boat, and a higher outside line gets hit....

Resetting is a little problematic. I'd say they have their place just like everything else.


BFG

Official Ohio Delegate to Team Heavy
Super-Sized Fishing Specialists
bfg@educatedangler.com
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