Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit Review

How the Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit Changed My Routine

The Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is a small but significant addition for anglers looking to enhance their planer board systems. This kit provides the essential components to upgrade existing Off Shore Tackle OR12 Side Planer units, essentially giving them the “tattle tale” flag functionality. I was experiencing an issue where it was difficult to visually confirm if my planer boards were running correctly or if a lure had tripped them, especially in rough water or low light conditions. This often led to missed strikes or unnecessary adjustments.

Upon opening the small, no-frills package, my first impression was one of simple utility. The components felt standard for this type of fishing gear – wire, spring, screw eye – nothing overly fancy, but functional. It’s designed to be a direct replacement or addition, fitting into existing setups without complex modifications. I had briefly considered trying to fashion something similar myself with generic hardware store parts, but the convenience of a pre-packaged kit and the assurance of compatibility with my existing Off Shore Tackle gear made this a more practical choice. My initial reaction was one of quiet satisfaction; it felt like a quick, affordable fix to a persistent annoyance on the water.

Real-World Testing: Putting Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing of this upgrade kit took place on a blustery day on Lake Erie, a prime environment for planer board fishing. I installed the components onto two of my OR12 Side Planers right on the boat, a process that took mere minutes thanks to the straightforward design. The conditions were challenging, with significant chop and intermittent cloud cover, which is precisely where the visual indicator becomes crucial.

The system performed as advertised from the very first run. When a lure tripped the board as intended, the flag visibly lifted, providing immediate confirmation. Even with spray from the waves and the glare of the sun, the flag’s movement was discernible. There were no initial issues or surprises; it simply worked as expected, seamlessly integrating into my established trolling spread. The ease of use was a definite plus, allowing me to get back to focusing on the fishing rather than fiddling with equipment.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several extended fishing trips, spanning various weather patterns and water conditions, the Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit has proven to be a reliable performer. The small components have held up exceptionally well, with no signs of premature wear or corrosion, despite regular exposure to saltwater spray and submersion. The wire hasn’t kinked, the spring retains its tension, and the screw eye remains securely attached.

Maintaining the upgrade is straightforward; a quick rinse with fresh water after use is sufficient to keep them in top condition. Compared to some generic hardware I’ve used in the past for other fishing applications, these components feel more robust and specifically suited for the marine environment. The performance hasn’t degraded at all, and the flags continue to signal reliably, indicating that this small kit is built for the long haul. It’s a testament to the Off Shore Tackle Company’s understanding of what anglers need in demanding conditions.

Breaking Down the Features of Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit

Specifications

Each Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is designed to outfit a single OR12 Side Planer. The kit contains a precisely measured piece of wire, a spring with the correct tension, a washer, a screw eye for attachment, and a 6/32 screw to secure it. The instructions provided are described as limited, which aligns with the simplicity of the components themselves.

These specifications, while seemingly basic, are crucial for proper function. The wire length and stiffness are calibrated to create the correct leverage for the flag mechanism. The spring provides the necessary tension to keep the flag in the upright position until it’s triggered. The screw eye and 6/32 screw are standard, corrosion-resistant fasteners suitable for marine environments. The compact nature of these parts ensures they don’t add unnecessary bulk or weight to the planer board.

Performance & Functionality

The primary function of the Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is to provide a clear visual indicator that a lure has tripped the planer board, signifying a potential fish strike or a snag. It excels at this task. When a fish hits or the lure fouls, the flag mechanism reliably lifts the flag, offering an immediate, unmistakable signal. This functionality is paramount for effective fishing, especially when running multiple lines or fishing in conditions that make visual line tracking difficult.

Its greatest strength is its simplicity and effectiveness. The tattle flag system is intuitive and requires no complex operation; it either works or it doesn’t, and in my experience, it consistently works. A minor weakness, if one could even call it that, is that the instructions are indeed limited, so users unfamiliar with planer boards might need to consult online resources or experienced anglers. However, the installation is so straightforward that this is a minimal hurdle. It definitively meets, and arguably exceeds, expectations for its intended purpose, especially considering its accessible price point.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of the Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is purely utilitarian. It focuses on function over form, utilizing durable materials that can withstand the harsh realities of fishing. The wire is plated or coated for corrosion resistance, and the included fasteners are standard in the industry for their reliability. The overall feel of the components is solid, suggesting they are built to last.

From an ergonomic perspective, the upgrade is essentially invisible once installed. The flag mechanism sits unobtrusively on the planer board and does not interfere with its deployment or retrieval. The components themselves are small and easy to handle during installation, even with cold or wet hands. The screw eye design is a standard and effective method for attaching the flag wire, ensuring a secure connection that won’t easily come loose during aggressive trolling.

Durability & Maintenance

The Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is built for durability within its intended application. As a collection of small metal parts, its longevity depends on material quality and resistance to the elements. The wire, spring, washer, and screws are all chosen for their ability to resist rust and corrosion in a marine environment. Under normal use, which involves repeated immersion in freshwater or saltwater and exposure to sun and weather, these components are likely to last for many seasons.

Maintenance is refreshingly simple. A quick rinse with fresh water after each outing will remove any salt, dirt, or debris, preventing premature corrosion and ensuring the spring mechanism remains free-moving. There are no complex parts to clean or lubricate. Potential failure points would likely be the spring losing tension over a very long period or the screw eye threads becoming damaged if forced during installation, but these are unlikely issues with proper care and installation.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is, by its nature, a component kit rather than a standalone product with numerous accessories. The kit is the accessory, designed to enhance an existing piece of equipment. There are no additional accessories included, nor are there really any customization options beyond how one might choose to orient the flag wire upon installation, which has minimal impact on performance.

However, the primary “customization” is the ability to apply this upgrade to multiple OR12 Side Planer units you own. For those who wish to add this functionality to all their planer boards, purchasing multiple kits is the only route. The components themselves are not designed for modification; they are intended to be used as provided to achieve the desired tattle flag effect.

Pros and Cons of Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit

Who Should Buy Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit?

This kit is an absolute must-have for any angler who regularly uses Off Shore Tackle OR12 Side Planer boards and values clear, immediate feedback on their fishing spread. If you fish in conditions where visual tracking of your planer boards is challenging—such as rough water, low light, or when running many lines—this upgrade will dramatically improve your fishing efficiency. It’s particularly beneficial for walleye, salmon, or any species pursued with planer boards.

Anglers who don’t use Off Shore Tackle OR12 Side Planers, or those who already have boards with built-in flag systems, should obviously skip this. Also, individuals who are extremely averse to small parts or have limited patience for simple installation tasks might find it a minor inconvenience, though the payoff is well worth it. For optimal use, ensure you have a small pair of pliers or a screwdriver handy for the 6/32 screw, and a clear workspace to avoid losing any of the small pieces.

Conclusion on Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit

The Off Shore Tackle Company Tattle Flag Economy Upgrade Kit is a prime example of a small product delivering significant value. For a modest price of $15.32, it addresses a common frustration for planer board users, turning a potential annoyance into a clear, actionable indicator. The performance is reliable, the build quality is robust for its purpose, and the usability is straightforward.

The value proposition here is undeniable. It allows anglers to modernize their existing gear without a substantial investment, enhancing their ability to detect strikes and manage their spread more effectively. I wholeheartedly recommend this upgrade kit to anyone using Off Shore Tackle OR12 Side Planers. If you fish with these boards, investing in this kit for each of them will undoubtedly make your time on the water more productive and less frustrating. It’s a simple solution that solves a real-world fishing problem.