I always make my leaders 18"-24" max. If you don't want to use those clips on the planer boards then you should use the lock down line clamps so you don't have to chase your boards.

my understanding of the planer boards is so you can have a line out to each side and and still put a line out the back without the worry of tangling the lines. with out the planer boards all the lines tend to migrate straight back from the boat.

Nice info, I try to always very my leader length when dragging to see what they prefer. Once on Santee Cooper in really rough water we went to a leader nearly seven foot long and really caught them.

Planer boards are necessary if the water is shallow (less than 20 ft). Beyond that, it doesn't matter much. In Lake Roosevelt where I fish the water is 200 ft deep. The walleyes are anywhere from 60 to 180 ft. But I use the boards for Kokanee in the spring when they ae near the surface. I don't know much about catfishing, but they eat dead things on the bottom (and some other stuff too). I didn't know people trolled for them.

I drift fish for catfish. I always drift my boat sideways with 6 rods out. My boat is 21 ft long. I catch just as many fish in the middle of the boat as any where even in shallow water like 6 to 12 ft.

Never seen anybody not hook the clip on the planner

Well done!

What kind of planer boards do you use? All of the ones I'm used to using have a swivel with a clip on one end which keeps the board attached to the line and a scotty type clip on the other end to clip to the line. The only time you should have to chase down a board is if you get snagged and break off.

Billy, I would agree the boat dragging 15ft of water and less it can spook fish. Deeper waters it would be less likely.

Not to confuse anyone but your boards are port and starboard colors…

Wish we had Flat Heads out here, only channel cats and bullheads . Enjoy your video

Very nice 20 pounder.

I’ll be there, it’s all about timing for me

hey billy. not sure if you remember or not but i met you down at big fish outfitters back in the summer and you showed me how to do a catfish dragging rig. was wondering where a man can get those rod holders you have on the back of your boat

Entertaining!

Nice

Nice little fhmb Billy

👍👍👍👍👍

Yes the shadow of the boat will spook the fish sometimes.

What's the desired trolling speed ???

I have a question 1-if your dragging weight gets hung and u have to break it off will u loose your hook too?

Why would you not use the swivel on the planer board. Doesn’t make a lot of sense?

So what was the purpose of not hooking the clip to the line? Not criticizing, just trying to understand.

I can see that you are trying, but ..... I have never seen anyone have their Mult-I-Bars mounted in that way. I kinda see why, but that's why they have set screws. You are hooking your bait all wrong for dragging. The way you have them hooked will cause your bait to spin and will eventually tangle up your line around itself, even with swivels. And lastly, why, on earth, would you NOT use the swivel lock on the back of the planer and have to chase the planer board down?! Eventually, those yellow clips will start to lose their grip, and every single time you reel in to check bait, or anything, you'll have to reel all your rods up and go chasing planers. That's not fun in bigger water with bigger waves. You can definitely lose them on big water. You have good equipment and are trying, but just some helpful hints for ya.

What rods are those?

Great idea just go get some already caught fried cats! 😂

Wow... you're just now learning this method... and you're a professional fishing guide ? 😮😢 I've been using dragging weights for 20 years. Before that, we used a piece of solid core lead wire. You're gonna be surprised to find hundreds of videos that teach you how to make your own DIY dragging weights.

First time????