Plugs & Side Planers

For whoever just asked how they work.

http://www.luhr-jensen.com/tr_hot_shot_planer.htm

[marky-sharky]

Thanks ******

[Bubzilla]

OK, anyone have success using one of these? What about using one with a diver and bait? I'm sure the other bank-bound guys must LOVE to see one of these to come out of the ol' tackle box! lol

Once you get the hang of placing them in the water and getting them going correctly, if you can walk a bank, you can fish plugs real well from the bank. Can be a pain in the wind or water that is too fast.

They are pretty light though, so anything too heavy underneath them will mess them up and sink them to one side. I've ran a little plug as a diver and a shrimp underneath one and caught fish. Caught fish with a hotshot, as designed too.

Think Buzz perfected this thing for plugging the Deschutes from the bank. There is a larger size for faster water. That one might tollerate a little more weight under it.

[ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]</p>

[Trout,myster]

These things work pretty slick once you get it in the creek! Use about 30 feet or so of line between the plug and planer. That's the worst part, as you need to figure out how. I do it with "pulls" like trolling. Pull out about 30 feet or so, then set up your planer. Use the LARGE fin as ****** mentioned. Little one is worthless. Go find some current. You'll end up with the planer hanging from your rod and you'll have to sort of roll all your line and the plug up like a cowboy's rope. Set the planer in the current, put the reel in freespool with your thumb on the spool and feed line to the planer. DON'T let go of the plug until all your 30 feet of line is out. Give the plug a toss out away from the bank and you're fishing.

This whole mess works quite well on deep rivers like the Deschutes. It will work on most any water that is somewhat SMOOTH, but the planers don't like riffles. If it screws up or your plug comes unwound, or it trips, you have to go through this mess again. Once out there, you can use your rod to steer the thing. Keep your tip high and your line out of the water.

Other bank fisherman around? Leave the thing in your pocket unless they're using them also. Putting one of these in the water a, say, Mills Bridge on the Wilson could result in harmful words being used against your well being at the very least. Go find some private water somewhere and enjoy. They also work well for "plunking" if you just want to let your plug sit in a slot.