Using Planer Boards to Spread Crankbaits for Walleye

Planer boards let you run multiple crankbaits well outside your boat's wake, covering a wider swath of water and presenting lures to walleye that haven't been spooked by engine noise or hull shadow. By pulling lines out to the side on a board rather than straight behind the boat, you can fish six, eight, or more rods at staggered depths and distances without tangling, which dramatically increases your odds of finding active fish on any given day.

Why Planer Boards Matter for Walleye

Walleye are notoriously boat-shy in clear or shallow water, and they hold at specific depths tied to thermoclines, structure, or baitfish position. A single line trolled behind an outboard covers one narrow lane and puts every bait through prop wash and shadow. Boards solve both problems. They spread lines 30 to 100 feet off each side of the boat, keeping crankbaits in undisturbed water, and they let you stagger both distance and depth to triangulate the exact zone where fish are feeding.

This matters most on big, pressured lakes like Erie, Winnebago, or Oahe, where fish see a lot of boat traffic. It also matters on calm, clear days when spooky fish hold off the direct path of the hull. On stained water or heavy chop, boards are less critical but still useful for running more lines legally and efficiently.

Reading Conditions Before You Rig

Water clarity dictates how far out you need to spread your boards. In gin-clear water, push boards to their maximum distance, 75 to 100 feet or more, since walleye in clear lakes spook at surprising range. In murky or stained water, 30 to 50 feet often suffices, and you can run boards closer together without sacrificing bites.

Wind and wave height also matter. Boards track more erratically in a heavy chop, so downsize to smaller, more stable boards or shorten your spread in rough conditions. Calm days let you run the full complement of rods at maximum width. Water temperature and thermocline depth determine which crankbaits you tie on, since suspended walleye in summer often sit 15 to 25 feet down, well outside the range of a standard bait without added weight or a diving crankbait.

Gear Setup

Rods, Reels, and Line

Medium action trolling rods in the 7 to 8.5 foot range with a soft tip work best. The soft tip absorbs the shock of a strike and prevents the board from popping loose prematurely, while enough backbone in the mid and butt section lets you fight fish once the board has released. Line-counter reels are essential for consistency, since replicating an exact line-out distance is how you dial in the depth that's producing fish.

Ten to fourteen pound monofilament remains the standard for planer board trolling because it has enough stretch to cushion strikes and enough diameter to grip the board release clip properly. Braided line can work but requires a mono or fluorocarbon leader, since braid slips out of most standard release clips.

Boards and Releases

Choose boards rated for the number of lines you intend to run per side. Single-line boards are simple and reliable for beginners, while inline boards that clip directly to your fishing line are faster to deploy for solo anglers or those running fewer than six rods. Release clips should match your line diameter closely. Too loose and fish pull line without tripping the release, giving them enough slack to throw the hook. Too tight and the board releases on every bump of a wave, causing false alarms and lost fishing time.

Selecting and Rigging Crankbaits

Match the crankbait's running depth to where your electronics show fish holding. Shallow to mid-depth divers work well for walleye relating to structure in 8 to 15 feet of water, while deep diving crankbaits designed to reach 20 feet or more become necessary when fish suspend over deeper basins in summer and early fall. Adding a keel sinker or snap weight 3 to 8 feet ahead of the bait extends running depth further without switching to a bulkier bait.

Color selection follows standard walleye logic. Natural perch, shad, and fire tiger patterns produce in clear water and bright light, while brighter chartreuse and orange combinations call fish in stained water or low light. Carry a range from your all-tackle selection so you can adjust quickly when the bite shifts through the day.

Deploying the Spread

Start by letting out the crankbait to the desired distance behind the boat, checking your line counter for consistency between rods running the same depth. Clip the board onto the line, then feed line out from the reel while the board pulls itself away from the boat, walking out to the side under trolling speed. Stagger your rods so the boards closest to the boat run the shortest lines and shallowest baits, while the farthest-out boards carry the longest lines and deepest divers. This prevents crossed lines during turns and keeps your spread organized.

A typical six-rod spread might run two inside boards at 30 and 40 feet with shallow divers, two middle boards at 60 and 70 feet with mid-depth baits, and two outside boards at 90 and 100 feet with deep divers or weighted lines. Rotate depths and colors until a pattern emerges, then adjust the rest of the spread to match the productive combination.

Trolling Speed and Cadence

Walleye respond to subtle changes in trolling speed more than most anglers assume. A range of 1.5 to 2.5 mph covers most conditions, with slower speeds favored in cold water during early spring and late fall, and faster speeds triggering reaction strikes in summer when fish are more aggressive. Rather than holding one constant speed, make gradual S-turns through your trolling path. The outside boards speed up through a turn while the inside boards slow down, and this variation in bait action often triggers strikes from neutral fish that ignored a steady retrieve.

Bumping bottom or structure with a diving crankbait also matters. A brief deflection off a rock or hard bottom imitates a fleeing baitfish and frequently draws a reaction bite immediately after contact. Watch your electronics closely and adjust line length or speed to keep baits ticking bottom without constantly snagging.

Common Mistakes

Uneven release tension: Clips set too tight cause false releases in waves, while clips too loose let fish shake free before the rod loads up.
Ignoring line-counter consistency: Running two rods at supposedly the same depth but different actual line-out distances muddies your pattern and wastes time chasing the wrong variable.
Overcrowding the spread: Too many boards too close together in choppy water leads to tangles during turns. Start with fewer lines and add more once you're comfortable managing turns and strikes.
Neglecting speed variation: A dead-flat, unchanging trolling speed often produces fewer strikes than a spread that varies naturally through gentle turns.

Common questions

How far apart should planer boards be spaced?

Spacing depends on water clarity and boat traffic. In clear water, space boards 20 to 30 feet apart from each other, running the outermost boards 80 to 100 feet from the boat. In stained water, tighter spacing of 15 to 20 feet between boards works fine since walleye are less line-shy.

What line-out distance gets a crankbait to a specific depth?

Every crankbait has a published dive curve, but as a rule of thumb, doubling your line-out distance roughly increases depth until you approach the bait's maximum rated dive. Use a line-counter reel and keep a simple log of distance versus observed depth on your electronics for each bait you run regularly, since real-world results vary with line diameter and trolling speed.

Can planer boards be used from a smaller boat or kayak?

Yes, inline planer boards work well from smaller boats and kayaks since they clip directly onto the line without requiring a separate board rod or complex release system. Start with two or three lines rather than a full spread until you're comfortable managing turns and fish fights in a smaller footprint.

For more trolling and rigging techniques across other species, browse all fishing guides to build out a complete approach for your home water.