Well (censored) happens sometimes.
Like this snag of the outrigger pulley.
I've since clipped back the end of the batten rod (the insertion end) so it doesn't stick out so much.
Here's a shot of my new mast extension to get up to 12'. Just some dowel shoved down the sail hem pocket.
I am running that as the "Green Stick". From the cockpit I run a 20lb test line to the
top than have 100 feet of line out to my planner board (need help here see below). In the
cockpit itself the line runs off an old Alvey I resurrected.
Using some elementary calcs I placed, measuring from the board , back toward the top of
the mast (that's the hypotenuse of the 12' tall triangle) dropper loops at 33.3 feet, 41.6,
50, and 58.3 feet. Admittedly somewhat close to the yak, but I want to get the procedure
down first and worry about results later.
Next I took 3 small squid lures and attached them without any hooks to 4lb test in lengths
of 5 feet, 6 feet and 7 feet. At the ends I tied trout snap hooks so could attach these to the
green stick line at the 41.6,50, and 58.3 foot dropper loops.
Here's the squids. Much like apalch posted.
My commercial neighbor says he gets 65%of his hookups on the furthest squid so that's
where my single line goes. The 33.3 foot loop is where the rod squid goes. It's four foot
80 lb leader, small squid with a 6/7 0 hook attached to my reel line snap hook. The snap
hook is rubbered to the dropper loop with the lightest rubber band I have been able to
find. (I don't want any strain on my sailing mast from a monster ahi.)
I'm not interested in the planner board creating action to raise fish. although I have
thought about attaching my small bird to it. If you read the history of the stick method the
primary purpose is to hold the line out there. But on a yak you have a big problem. Seeing
aft all the time without killing yourself.
So I invested in a Church Walleye board to get the line out to the side. Doesn't really work,
maybe angles only 10 degrees instead of 85-90 I would like.
I have hooked up only to the front attachment. There is no lure behind as it is designed
for. Does it need a direct drag aft effect to angle correctly? The bird doesn't seem to do it. Here it is in action by itself [click for larger image]:
Also not sure if I have enough speed to pull this off. Probably only pooping along at 5
knots, 6 max when I have the right breeze. Does the board need more speed to angle out?
Maybe someone can help me test the planner board?
Anyway as I ease the board out I add the squids to the green line. The rod line is the key.
I'm going to have to switch to colored mono soon. I can't see my clear stuff and it's crucial
the rod line is let out equally with the green line. I've added a dental floss marker to the
rod line at 77 feet so I don't let out too much and get a entanglement loop.
I've gotten the contraption to work a couple of times in the past with the last squid
dancing, but need more work on avoiding entanglements.
As I have described previously for the last few months I have been working at fighting fish when I hooked up under sail. I
have the routine down fairly good for luffing the sail, furling it, and actually stowing the
mast if required for large ones, while fighting the fish.
So I have added the problem of getting the green line itself out of the way.
I'm envisioning still luffing the sail,maybe even furling it before handling the green stick
line. My inclination now is to get the line out of the way first. I can crank the Alvey pretty
fast. The squids? That's the reason for the 4lb test. I may even go 2 lbs as I intend to just yank 'em off as they go by and toss 'em into the cockpit.
I'll answer how do I get into the porpose school later.
See other posts for weather I sometimes work in.