Full-sized planer boards are ideally suited to big, wide-open water where you have plenty of room to maneuver. One big advantage of larger planer boards is that you can run multiple lines off of one board. They also track fairly well in rough seas. However, you need a mast in order to run the boards and, in high-traffic situations, maneuvering around other anglers and boats can be difficult.

The original planer boards were made from wood. Modern boards are now made from high-impact plastic or closed-cell foam, which makes them lighter, more buoyant and less prone to diving or flipping in rough seas. Their bright color also makes them easier to see. Most planer boards are constructed from two offset boards and connecting struts. The exception is Big Jon's Otter Boat, which is a revolutionary design. Shaped like a mini-boat, the Otter Boat creates minimal resistance, rides rough seas and pulls out greater distances from the boat. The Otter Boat can also be switched from port to starboard in seconds.

Once a troll is set up, the boards are attached to the end of a tether line that is attached to a planer-board mast reel. The board is eased over the side of the boat and can pull out along the side. The boards are cut at an angle so that they plane off to the side, port or starboard, hence the name planer board. Make sure you have the proper board on the proper side. The board is then let out gradually using the reel (manual or electric) on the planer-board mast. The distance you let the board out depends on traffic conditions, wave conditions and how many lines you want to run off the board.

Lures are then let out a fixed distance behind the boat, generally 50 to 100 ft., and the lure is attached to the tether line using a release. Pinch-pad releases are the most popular type of release for use with planer boards. The release has a loop or ring on one end that is placed around the tether line, which allows it to slide down the line. The first line is let out the farthest, closest to the board. Subsequent lines are spaced along the tether line. As each rod is set, they are placed in rod holders along the side of the boat, with the first the closest to the bow, and at slight angles to prevent them from touching and to facilitate grabbing them once a fish strikes. Once a fish grabs one of the trailing lures, the line snaps out of the release and the result is "fish on!" Lines are shuttled down the tether line, depending on which line had the strike. The line that caught the fish is then reset closest to the boat.

Releases are allowed to pile up along the tether line until you're out of releases, or they accumulate too much in one spot. Lines then need to be reeled in and the boards retrieved to collect the releases. Once a fish strikes the lure and releases the line, there is usually quite a bit of slack in the line. The slack needs to be quickly taken up before the angler makes solid contact with the fish. If your hooks are sharp and the fish are aggressive, hookups are usually consistent. But when fish are striking short, you'll miss lot of the bites with the bigger boards, or lose lightly hooked fish during the fight.

The full-sized boards are ideally suited for places where trolling for walleyes is a proven tactic, or for targeting shallow-water trout and salmon or anywhere fish can be found close to the surface. You'll find a selection of planer boards and planer-board masts made by Cannon, Riviera, Big Jon and others at cabelas.com and in Cabela's retail stores.

In-line planers are a smaller version of the bigger planer boards, but they have several advantages. For one thing, they are simpler. They don't require a mast to run them. All you need is a sturdy rod holder to put a rod and reel in. Like the bigger boards, most varieties of in-line boards come in port and starboard versions.

In-line boards generally impart more action to the trailing lures than full-sized boards. In-line boards jump and dart in the waves and pull back and scoot forward when making turns, imparting an erratic action to following baits. Movement like that triggers more strikes. On the strike, in-line planers pull back under the weight of the fish, cutting down on the angle between the boat and the fish. This constant tension results in surer, more positive hookups and higher landing ratios. However, you have to fight the fish with the board on the line. Also, you can only run one line per board when using in-line planers.

While full-size planer boards are standard in size and design, in-line boards come in various sizes for different applications.

In-line boards vary by size and weight. Yellow Bird Side Planers are considered the first side planers on the market, and are still a favorite among trollers who are pulling lighter, clean baits behind boards. The standard Yellow Bird measures 7-1/2"L x 3"H. The new Big Bird measures 10-1/2"L x 3-3/4"H and is designed to pull big crankbaits, bottom bouncers and lead core.

Yellow Birds can be rigged to remain on the line so you can take them off manually when fighting a fish or allow them to trip and stay on the line for less resistance during the fight. To rig them so they trip, simply add a faceted bead above a barrel swivel and then a short 4- or 5-ft. leader and snap swivel or a Speed-O-Bead about 6 ft. up the main line. Let out the line 50 to 100 ft., and then attach the board. Once a fish strikes, it will pull the line out of the release and allow the planer to slide down to the stop. The board doesn't interfere with the fight that way and doesn't slide all the way down to the fish and potentially knock the lure out of the fish's mouth. Yellow Bird offers an Osprey release, which is a jettison-type release that's ideal when you want the planer to trip and stay on the line.

Church Tackle makes a variety of in-line boards for applications such as pulling small spoons, to dragging long lengths of heavy lead-core line. Match the board's size and abilities to the type of fishing you're doing. The largest Church board, The Walleye Board 10"L x 3-1/2" W, is a favorite for walleye fishing and Great Lakes applications when fishing with lead-core line. The Church Walleye Board pulls long, heavy lengths of lead-core line with ease and is great in rough seas. The big board is also perfect for pulling bottom bouncers and clip-on weights. The boards come in port and starboard. They feature an adjustable keel weight.

Church's smaller versions of the Walleye Board, the TX-12 Mini-Planer (7-1/2") and the TX-6 Magnum Mini-Planer (5"), are suited to applications such as using shorter lengths of lead-core line, lighter weights and lures and lighter line. The planers are a highly-visible blaze orange.

One great design feature is the spring-loaded release pin at the back of the board, which makes taking the board off easy and quick. That's important when you've got a big king salmon yankin' on the other end.

Off Shore Side Planers have been the standard among walleye fishermen for years. Off Shore was the first to incorporate a Tattle Flag that telegraphs light strikes from fish like walleyes. Off Shore Salmon Planer Boards (10-7/8"L x 3-5/8 H) are the same length and weight as the Side Planer, but are designed for trout and salmon anglers and pulling lead core, big crankbaits and additional weight. The Off Shore Side Planers are bright yellow. The new Salmon Planer is blaze orange.

Releases on planer boards are usually the pinch-pad type. The exception is Church's Super Clip release, which incorporates a space-age material that holds lines securely, yet is easy to release. Most boards come with pinch pad releases on each end of the board to securely hold the line until the angler manually releases the line.

There's nothing too complicated about planer boards or in-line planers. Give them a try this season. There's a good chance they'll become an essential component of your fishing arsenal.

Click this link to view our selection of planer boards and reels.