Using planer boards to catch more fish.
One of my good friends recently called me on the phone with some good news. “Mark, this is the second year in my new boat and I am wondering if you can help me learn a few things about walleye fishing?” I advised that I would be happy to help. As our conversation continued, I asked about his equipment. I found that he didn’t know what planer boards were and how important they are to be a successful angler. I run into many folks that still have not taken the big leap. The concept of using planer boards may sometimes seem too complicated, and many folks mistake them for outriggers and even downriggers. As the season opens up on a new summer of angling, a little clarification on how easy and how important they are to decrease room in the livewell.
Planer boards basically are made of plastic or wood and are usually less than a foot long. They simply take the line out towards the sides of the boat in water that has been undisturbed by the path of the boat. There are two basic types. Planer boards that use the mast system and in-line planers.
The mast system is commonly used by charters and bigger boats, but certainly can be run on smaller vessels. The mast is attached to the boats deck and a larger dual or catamaran type board runs along side the boat. Multiple lines are run on each side on releases that are run down the line. Position on the line is set by how much line is let out on the reel, and when the fish hits the offering, the line releases from the snap and the fish is fought directly to the boat. This system allows the angler to run as many lines they can fit into the space between the boat and the planer and of course also dictated by state regulations and the number of anglers fishing.
In-line planers are smaller boards that attach directly to the fishing line. They pull the line out to the side of the boat and the line does not release when the fish strikes. The fish is fought to the boat with the planer, and constant tension on the line is imperative. The planer is removed and the angler fights the fish to the boat. Many anglers feel this may not be as fun as fighting a fish directly. Believe me that is not the case! There are just more stages of the fight. I have felt many a head shake right through the planer and have even had the planer pulled under the surface. The second half of the fight is direct and usually just as exciting.
The mistake many make is trying to fight fish on an in-line is pumping the board while they reel. Pumping the board especially when using monofilament allows slack in the line behind the board, and we all know what slack does to landing a fish. Drag the board in with a steady reel, remove the board while keeping the line tight and finish the job.
So why use planers? It gives the angler more ways to catch fish on water they may not have fished with just trolling baits behind the boat. On every tournament stop, I always check the shallow bite. When talking shallow I’m talking 2 to 4 feet of water! Probably my all time favorite presentation is running a number 5 or 7 floating rapala behind the planer board anywhere from 40 to 80 feet back. It is a deadly presentation especially when fishing windblown shorelines. I have also witnessed many bites that only come on one side of the boat due to the action the planer puts on the lure at the specific angle it is hitting the chop. In this case, I will throw all my boards on that side in a spread I call “student body right”.
Fishing planers has become an art in itself. Being able to read subtle strikes, running planers up into the shallow shelves and points can greatly increase catch rates. Most planers run from twenty dollars for in-lines to several hundred dollars for a complete mast system. I prefer in-lines but utilize both systems. I use the Off-Shore Tackle planer boards due to the tattle flag system, which is a spring loaded flag attached to the back clip. The flag drops when a weed or small fish hits and swims with the board. This enables me to fish instead of taking a perch water skiing.
This year throw a planer out and increase your odds of catching more fish. For more information on planer boards log onto www.offshoretackle.com.
