Big John planer board mast with electric reels

[MeanMachine]

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a big john planer board mast but am concerned it won't be able pull a set of Amish outfitter boards. Anyone have any experience with the new reels? The hand cranks just aren't doing it.

[John Greenlee]

The local tackle shop, which sells both big jon and cisco, will not sell the big jon electric reels only the cisco. The mast will handle the boards but the reels are sketchy. I was thinking of going electric and that is what they told me.

[MeanMachine]

Thanks - I'll hold off on the electrics until next year and grab the ciscos

[tedc54]

I bought a Riviera Planer Board Mast with the spring loaded automatic reels this spring. It has worked very well so far. You just drive the boat slowly towards the board as the reel automatically takes up the slack.

 

So far so good.