By: Mark Romanack

Putting your name and telephone number on planer boards is a simple and easy way to help insure if you lose a board, it can find it’s way back home.

​Winter time is the perfect time to do some maintenance on your Off Shore Tackle in-line boards and other planer board fishing accessories. Off Shore boards are built to stand the test of time, but they do need some occasional maintenance to keep them working at their best.

STICKING RELEASE PADS

​When your boards will be stored for any length of time, it’s a good idea to place a small piece of paper between the rubber pads. A business card cut into little squares works nicely for this purpose. This simple and inexpensive trick keeps the rubber pads from sticking together and potentially pulling free from the release pockets.

REPLACING THE PADS

​ All the rubber pads on Off Shore Tackle releases and line clips can be replaced when worn out. If your local dealer doesn’t stock these items, you can buy them on-line at the Off Shore Tackle web page. Replacing the worn pads takes only a few minutes and a little Super Glue. There are a bunch of YouTube videos that explain the process in detail.

Adding a little reflector tape to the top of the board and on both sides of the flag makes it handy for trolling at night. With just the illumination from a head lamp, an OST board can be seen a long ways off. Slick.

WORN OR BROKEN PARTS

​Literally every part on an Off Shore board can be purchased and replaced as necessary. Tow arms, foam inserts, ballast weights, Tattle springs, Tattle Linkage Arms, split rings, hardware, etc., are all readily available for the angler who wants to keep his or her boards in ship shape.

NIGHT MOVES

​ Anglers who enjoy trolling at night might want to consider adding a little reflector tape to the flag and top edge of their boards. This simple trick makes it easy to see your boards by simply wearing a head lamp while fishing.

​It’s amazing how far an Off Shore board equipped with reflector tape can be seen at night. Even better, you can put reflector tape on both sides of the flag so other anglers can see your boards!

HEY THAT’S MY BOARD

​In the event one of your Off Shore boards ends up in the drink, it’s a good idea to use a permanent marker to write your name and telephone number on the board. Fishermen are inherently honest and they will not hesitate to return a lost board to it’s rightful owner.

SUMMING IT UP

​ Take a little time this winter to do some annual maintenance on your Off Shore Tackle planer boards. Come spring, you’ll be ready to hit the water running.