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Member
Posts: 6
| Hello I was just curious whether you guys prefer Church or Offshore planer boards?? Which is more user friendy?? I would like to get into trolling, so I thought I would get some good advice. Thanks for any replies!!  |
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Member
Posts: 625
Location: LaCrosse, WI | I will start by saying that both brands have some good features. I have several of both and prefer the OffShores. The reason I prefer the OffShore boards is that they seem to run a lot smoother. The trade off is that you typically end up spending a good chunk on a fully rigged OffShore board.
One of the first things I do with a new OffShore board is replace the front release. I use the snapper release (they are spendy, they run around $15). Some people use the red releases instead. I make my own tattle tale flags, so that saves quite a bit (if you buy the flag kits, it would be about $17 for each board). I make them for about $3 each.
One nice thing about the Church boards is the built in rear slot in the board that acts as a clip. It has a pin in it to ensure the board stays attatched to the line. You can also adjust the weight on the bottom of the Church boards. It's been my experience that the OffShores seem to run a little higher in the water and a little smoother. My Church boards tend to plow more water and once in a while do a couple loops under water (no fish on). This is bad news when you have several boards out.
All in all, myself and most of the guys I fish with prefer the OffShore boards. I do however think the Church Boards would be a good option if a guy was also going to do a fair amount of Salmon/Trout fishing on the great lakes. The boards could slide down the line a lot easier than the OffShores. |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| I started with Church boards, and they worked fine. I was letting the line release, and allowing the board to slide down the line to a speed bead in front of the snaps. This was ok, but I didn't like the way the boards would submarine on their own. Tough to get them back up, once they go under. I did like the front releases.
Got 6 off shores, and used them. Replaced the releases with the red OR-16's, and I liked them better. Used them for muskies, too. Then I bought tattle tails for them. I think you get parts to convert 2 boards in each kit, but it's still a bit expensive. Not needing tattle tails for muskies, I got 6 more boards. I sold the church boards I had. Who needs 18 boards?
Just this year, I replaced the releases on the front of the tattle tail boards, as the pads need replacing. |
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Member
Posts: 701
Location: upper michigan | I use the Off Shore boards also but I make a modification to them. I use the church board releases. The adjustable tension releases do net let go of the line I have never had a board come off or the line slip in between the release and the tatle release. This is hands down easier to use than any of the off shore release I have used.
Edited by butch 7/17/2007 9:51 AM
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Member
Posts: 116
| "Just this year, I replaced the releases on the front of the tattle tail boards, as the pads need replacing."
The pads needed replacing but you replaced the entire release. This reinforces my suspicion that the pads are not available. Does anyone know if/where you can purchase just the pads? I wasn't able to find any. Thanks
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Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | The pads are readily available at Gander Mountain, Tews Too, and other retailers. If they do not have them, obtain an Offshore Tackle order form from the website or from a retailer and you can order them. Delivery takes 4-7 days. |
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| I have owned both and switched to all Church boards purely from an economical point of view. I buy them and use them. I do not have to upgrade releases, etc. I rigged my own flags. However, having fished with a lot of people that use the Off Shores, I have to say I would prefer the Off Shores for trolling harnesses. If you go real slow or stall to fight a fish, the Church boards tend to fall over, where as the Off Shores stay upright. |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| I did see them at Tews, after I bought the new releases. I did not see them at Gander in Appleton, so I bought new just to get them when I needed them. The night before a tourney, you know? hehehe. Not a big deal, now I have extra's for snap weights and stacker lines. |
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Member
Posts: 273
| I prefer the way the off-shores run or track. Have done the modifications some of you have mentioned. Homemade tattle flags and have also replaced the front clips with the adjustable church clips. |
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Member
Posts: 1406
| I go to Church!, I have used them since they came out and often (after fishing with someone with offshores) I have thought about converting but after being the one to handle the release of those boards I know why I don't use them. I LOVE the front clip and the slot/pin in the church. I do like the way the offshores run in the water better but don't believe that it would be putting more fish in the boat. If Off shore would put the slot in the back and offer the Church front clip you would have the ULTIMATE planner board! I have seen many users of Offshores remove the front clip and replace it with the Church clip!
I have 10 of the Church boards and don't believe in training wheels on them but sure would like the flag for better visibility!
The products are available and someone needs to combine them to make the "perfect" board! (anyone know if there are any patents preventing this, I'm going to e-mail this back to myself to protect my intelectual property rights so don't get any ideas? hehehe)
Good Luck
Tyee
Edited by tyee 7/17/2007 6:09 PM
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Member
Posts: 30
| I use Offshore boards. Switched to the red OR-16 clips. Also added tattle flags for walleye fishing but left the original rear clips on also for use when fishing musky. |
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Member
Posts: 580
Location: Green Bay, WI | I'm going follow Butch on this thread too. This is exactly what I did to my Off Shore boards at the beginning of last season. They work great this way. These releases are so much easier to get off when the weather is cold. The only problem I've had is when it's rough, the surge of the waves can wrap the line around the "lever" of the release and you have to unwrap it.
Off Church boards?
Church Shore boards? |
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Member
Posts: 885
| Guess Tyee and Me are the only guys that like Church Boards. I use both the larger boards which I have modified with an LED light and a battery holder for night fishing up on the bay. I also love the medium size Church boards. They run straight, have no weight to adjust and like Tyee said, you can grab them with 1 hand and release them when fighting a fish. I use them for everything other than larger cranks like #12 Husky Deep divers. Purple Skeeter |
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Member
Posts: 617
Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Church boards. They run nearly as well and you don't have to buy an "upgrade" release to make them work. I have had to change the releases on a few of the older ones (10+ years) and I had to replace the foam in the boards a few years back as it was old and would water-log, but neither of those changes pushed the cost of the church boards above the cost of an offshore plus the upgraded release.
Now if someone would just find a way to make them withstand the pressure exerted on them by a shoe with 200 pounds of stupid in it, they would be perfect. |
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Member
Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | Brad, all the boards fair even less well when that shoe is full of 260 lbs of stupid. Ask any Offshore Board (with homemade tattle flags and upgraded releases) in my boat what they need to avoid for a long and healthy life...LOL |
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Member
Posts: 67
| I run the Church boards as well, I added a piece of styrofoam to the front to keep the board from diving,and added my own flags.
I just can't get used to the off shores when fishing with other people.
Edited by fiveinthelive 7/18/2007 6:45 PM
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