Types of Trolling Planers

There are many ways to capture fish with trolling planers.Fishing image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com

An enjoyable way to pass the time on a weekend (or on any given day, for that matter) is to hop in a boat and spend some time fishing. A simple rod and reel with bait may do the trick, or an expert fisherman may use what are called trolling planers. By using planers in addition to other traditional fishing items, it may be possible to catch more and varied types of fish.

Double Planer Boards

Often found with two boards along two lines, one on either side, this is an effective way to catch numerous fish at one time. With the planer boards placed at a strategic area on either side of the boat, depending on where the fish are likely hopping, this is a way to catch a fish between the boards and have more luck catching multiple fish than just one. Combined with a rod and reel, it is a way to attract different kinds of fish and gain more variety.

This is the same idea as the wooden boards, only hard plastic foam is used in place of the wood. Planer boards out of foam generally cost less than wooden counterparts and might be better used for the inexpensive fisherman who doesn't want to outlay a lot of money right away and wants to get used to the equipment. They often can be found for $25--$50 at most sporting goods stores, depending on how many boards are used and their size.

Instead of two boards hooked together by rods on either side, fishing enthusiasts sometimes use three boards. It is possible to run a wider trolling swath with multiple boards like this instead of the traditional two-board setup that catches one fish between the boards with a lure. Depending on how big the boards are, it is also possible to catch multiple fish at one time, making the fishing day more productive.

The best way to think of a tattle flag is to imagine the flag on your mailbox standing up when you want the mail truck to stop and pick up your letters (or to let the postal carrier know you have something that needs mailing). When a fish is caught in the planer board, the mechanism springs the flag to stand up, meaning you have hooked a fish.