WALLEYES ON BOARDS
By Bob Jensen
In the summer months, walleyes are very likely to spread out on a variety of structures. They are also very likely, in some bodies of water, to spread out over vast open areas away from structure. They are usually relating to baitfish when they are away from structure. Regardless of why they are spread out, pulling spinners or crankbaits behind planer boards is an efficient and effective way to catch walleyes this time of year.
Planer boards are very effective for several reasons. They allow anglers to cover a large area quickly but effectively.
They enable an angler to show the walleyes a large selection of baits at different running depths.
And, if the fish are near the surface, the boat going overhead won't spook them. Here's why.
In-line planer boards attach to your line, then take the bait out to the side of the boat. This allows an angler to get a bait out there fifty, even a hundred feet away from the boat. In states that permit two or three lines, it is possible to effectively troll multiple lines, and the more lines you have in the water, the better your chances of getting bit.
Off Shore Tackle is the leader in planer board technology. They have created a line of planers that are easy to use, easy to see, and run very well in the water. Most anglers who use planer boards go with Off Shore boards.
When setting your lines, be sure to give the fish plenty of different baits to look at unless you have some inside information as to what baits have been most effective on that body of water recently. Even then, don't get locked into one particular lure. What was working yesterday many not be as effective today.
Set some lines to run deep, some to run closer to the surface. If the fish show a preference, be prepared to make adjustments in your presentation.
Set your lines so the shallower running baits will be the ones farthest away from the boat. This will often be the presentation that takes the spookier fish.
If you are seeing on your sonar what you suspect to be walleyes, note the depth where the fish are running and set your baits so they will be just a little above that level. You want your baits above the fish, as they are more likely to go up than to go down for a bait.
Planer boards put a pretty good pull on a rod, so a rod designed for planers will be a big advantage. There are a couple of Lightning Rods designed by Gary Roach specifically for planer boards that do a great job. A minimum of ten-pound test Trilene XT is required, with many anglers preferring heavier line.
Planer boards may look tricky to use, but they aren't. Try them once and you will be on your way to bigger and better walleye catches right now.
For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com

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