Does anbody use a planer board to get your line further way from the boat when trolling? Maybe not very popular since canoes are about as stealthy as you can get to begin with. But for the motorboat crowd, I'm curious if it would be an advantage in terms of stealth.

Motor trolling, two guys, six lines, three each side with planer boards is the “fishing” standard here on Lake Winnebago. It’s not for me, but it’s an effective method for sure.

I've used a small one when we had three people trolling from the canoe. The planer board got the third line out of the way of the other one on the same side of the canoe. We were trolling for lake trout. I can't say we saw a difference one way or another. I think a planer could be beneficial if you are trying to troll a floating crankbait very near shore in shallow water where the canoe would certainly spook fish.

I do with multiple people in the boat and I want to spread 4 or more lines. Never have in a canoe.

Use them all the time trolling crankbaits for Walleye, especially when the fish are shallow (and in clear water). This can be a highly effective method to spread lines away from the boat when fish spook. You can fish more lines and mitigate tangled lines when fishing with multiple people.

Never used in a canoe before, but if you have rod holders, could make it work...

AmarilloJim: "I do with multiple people in the boat and I want to spread 4 or more lines. Never have in a canoe."

+1 even little dipsy divers are too much in a canoe for me.

I'm fishing from a 14-ft aluminum boat with rod holders, but I still worry about the amount of drag caused by planers? If I'm trolling a #11 tail dancer it will pull my boat off-course if I don't stay on the tiller handle to compensate for the drag. When my son is along, we can balance things out by trolling two lines.

thegildedgopher: "I'm fishing from a 14-ft aluminum boat with rod holders, but I still worry about the amount of drag caused by planers? If I'm trolling a #11 tail dancer it will pull my boat off-course if I don't stay on the tiller handle to compensate for the drag. When my son is along, we can balance things out by trolling two lines."

There's not much drag via the planer boards (I use Church Walleye Boards), even if you pull 4. I've done this with a 14 ft boat and a 15HP 2 stroke without noticing any boat performance issues, even when trolling Tail Dancers or other aggressive lipped crankbaits. You should be able to tighten the tiller handle slide... this will offset any drag/deviation created.

Hope this helps and good luck on the water!

Thanks WalleyeHunter24!

I'm in that phase, 3 weeks 'til put-in, where I'm starting to obsess over details and wonder where I can gain even a small advantage here or there. I think I'll pick a couple up and try to test them out closer to home first.

And good call on the tiller adjustment, I will check that out.

thegildedgopher: "Thanks WalleyeHunter24!


I'm in that phase, 3 weeks 'til put-in, where I'm starting to obsess over details and wonder where I can gain even a small advantage here or there. I think I'll pick a couple up and try to test them out closer to home first.


And good call on the tiller adjustment, I will check that out."

Food for thought:

The rod length and action can also help with board tracking. I use 6.5-7 ft, medium action, moderate/medium fast so the rod can handle the changes in the board transitions. Also, try trolling with the wind/waves since the board will perform better in bigger chop. Do not need a high quality rod for this technique, but using a line counter reel has some advantages to the equation. Not necessary, but it does help once you get the process dialed in and will use it on a regular basis.

Happy to offer any other advice if requested! :-)

I use them.
Can't learn if ya don't try.
Start with one.
Get the mechanics down , then go to 2-3-4.
They are in my boat every trip.

yogi59weedr: "I use them.
Can't learn if ya don't try.
Start with one.
Get the mechanics down , then go to 2-3-4.
They are in my boat every trip."

+1
Amen!