Whether you are fishing the Great Lakes or smaller inland lakes, many fish species spend time suspending in open water. This includes salmon, walleyes, muskies, bass, and many types of panfish.
Many of these same species relate to deep-water basins that are not near any structural element. When fishing open water for suspended fish, or deep in featureless basins, it is important to cover water quickly to locate fish. After all, many species of fish school or pack together, but you need to cover water quickly to locate the packs.
What is the most effective method of catching scattered schools or packs of fish? Trolling. Trolling allows one to keep the bait in the strike zone longer than casting. It also allows you to fish multiple lines and experiment with lure types.
Rather than discuss specific lures to catch suspended or deep-basin fish lets discuss the use of a tool that is invaluable for catching any species of fish in this situation--the in-line planer board.
Planer boards have been around for years and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Although they are available in larger sizes that can be rigged to a mast on a boat, smaller planer boards that can be attached directly to the line are easier to operate and require less expense in rigging. They are ideal for the small-boat angler. Of the various types available the OffShore planer board is my favorite. It is stable in various wave conditions, highly visible, and has an excellent release system.
A planer board spreads the line and lure away from the boat and thus increases the chances that the lure will catch spooky fish. It also allows you to troll several lines without getting tangled, as the planer board keeps the lines spread even during turns.
To rig a planer board, first let out the desired amount of line for an artificial or live bait presentation. Next attach the planer board directly to the line using the release on the planer board. Personally, I prefer to rig the board so it will not "pop" free when a strike occurs. When a fish hits the bait of lure, the planer board rapidly moves from the side of the boat towards the back of the boat. This rapid "skipping" movement is the most common strike indicator.
Of course, the board may be completely submerged when the lure is taken by a big fish. As you fight the fish bring the planer board to the boat and remove it from the line, then fight the fish the rest of the way to the boat. This takes a little practice and teamwork, but results in more boated fish than allowing the board to slide back towards the fish.
Crankbaits in all styles and sizes can be rigged with planer boards. So too can spoons, spinners, dodgers/fly combinations, and just about any other lure can be rigged to a planer board.
A longer rod is a must when fishing with boards. I use a Team Daiwa seven-foot boat rod with a TD-2 baitcasting reel and 12-pound Super Tough line. This longer rod has enough backbone to handle the resistance created by the board, set the hook, and fight the fish. Also highly abrasion resistant line is outstanding for most trolling situations.
Planer boards work very well with live-bait presentations. When fishing at or near bottom of a mud basin, a Lindy bottom cruiser and a spinner rig with a crawler is an excellent presentation. Fish will still get hooked using the planer board with live-bait and many times the board helps set the hook.
Attaching a planer board allows you to fish multiple live-bait presentations and cover a larger path as the boat makes a trolling pass through an area. Again a longer rod is needed, and a combination similar to that used for artificials works when fishing a planer board and live bait.
Planer boards are an excellent option for summer fishing. Although many fish relate to structure, there are many that do not In many cases sub-groups of a given species spend much time over open water or relating to featureless basins. Using planer boards with your favorite artificial or live-bait presentation will allow you to be more systematic, fish multiple lines, troll with fewer tangles, and most important catch multiple fish.
Copyright (c) 1996 Jim Saric. All rights reserved.
Home | Library | Fishing | Freshwater Fishing