Planer Boards

[Browneye]

When I'm fishing for walleye, most the time I'm either using bottom bouncers or jigging. When watching fishing shows I sometimes see them using planer boards. In some situations like spring fishing when fish are up pretty shallow I could see where the boat could possibly spook fish when it goes over where having lines off to the side might be an advantage. Any way I have no experience with them, have never even fished with someone who used them. Am I missing out by not having them or is it better time and money spent learning how to do what I am already doing a little better?

 

[shorthairsrus]

Planer boards =way of getting out more lines out back of boat when trolling cranks

 

[Ericb]

Planer boards =way of getting out more lines out back of boat when trolling cranks

This fall I started using dipsey divers and snap weights for salmom. I could run 2 lines wide to the sides with dipseys and 3 across the back with weights. I'm hoping g to try a similar set up this spring on the river.

 

[Vollmer]

I would think in that situation you might be better off casting into the shallows. Pulling spinners/lindy's under planer boards that shallow is going to be tricky to do imo. Snags!

I mostly use my planer boards for cranks.

 

[ShootnBlanks]

Great thread. I'm in same situation. Never ran boards. Wonder if it's worth the time and money. So they aren't ideal for bottom bouncing spinners?

 

[shorthairsrus]

Minneukin (I can't spell) bombers and planer boards. The 90s u had to luv em

 

[NodakBuckeye]

I use them pulling cranks, spoons and spinners using snap weights or inline weights rather than bottom bouncers. Trolling cranks here is a bit different than how I learned on Erie, mainly depth change here on Sak. I still enjoy trolling planers- depth counters, precision trolling, etc.. are a must for me. I would rather pull cranks on boards than lindy rig anytime, haha. Like everything else, it has it time and place.

 

[NJL]

I don't have much experience catching walleye on boards, but we used them a lot for salmon on Lake Michigan. The best time I ever had out there we were running boards because the fish were all shallow (12'-30'). The weather was just right, bringing the cold water in. With only 2 of us in the boat, and 3 lines per person we ran 4 boards & 2 riggers; pulling spoons & J-plugs. I swear we had 5-6 doubles and a couple triples that day, it was complete chaos. Something i'll remember forever.

 

[H82bogey]

Boards are fantastic! I use them for both cranks and spinners. I love the looks I get from boats as they go by on the big lake when I'm out in 60' of water catching suspended walleye that they don't even know are there.

I think what you are trying to do with them would be tough, and as mentioned before it might be easier to cast into the shallows.

 

[powerman]

Boards can help you spread out and cover more water. I find them more useful as h82bogey explains in his post above.

Shallow water boards are a little more tricky, but a short leader and minimal weight out the back of a board can be run well off to the side in shallow water as you keep your boat in deeper. At times I will run one boards in towards shore with a split shot for weight and a spinner rig. This will allow you to fish just above the weeds in shallow without spooking fish. It can be very frustrating with snags and fouled lures being common.

 

[wildeyes]

some of the best fishing I had was running boards in 3' to 5' pulling shallow cranks with a wind blowing against the shore line. Board would go under the water on some of the nice fish.

 

[Pinecone]

go get a couple off-shore planer boards, a set of snap weights. after all ya already spent the money on a boat. Then while experimenting with the snap weights during the summer, you can stop and think wtf did I buy this sh#t for. #don'tevenhaveafishinglicenseyet

 

[lunkerslayer]

Pinecone how is your wife doing now?

 

[westwolfone]

I have thought about using them at Devils Lake, but some asshat would probably snag my line like they do when I'm shore fishing.