Rigging Boards/Spinners

Two questions. When rigging a planer board what do I have to do to make the lure runs at a certain depth. I’ve never used boards before and I don’t know what brand to buy. Also when pulling spinners on bottom bouncers how do you determine what size bouncer to use?

Call me ignorant but I’m just trying to learn something new for me. I usually troll lead core on the river but I want to learn new techniques to use on Pepin and Leech.

thanks for the help.

Pulling spinners and bouncers is a great technique to look to add.

About what size bouncer to use…. there’s a couple of variables that will determine the needed weight.

Depth fished.

Trolling speed.

What you’re really looking to do is use a weight that is heavy enough to keep the angle of your line pretty close to vertical…. not quite vertical but don’t let your line angle kick out approaching 45′ like you would pulling 3-ways. The effectiveness in pulling bouncers is in keeping the weight dancing on that wire leg below the lead. If you get too much line out, bouncers fall over on their sides and drag…. resulting in way too many snags, a stirred up bottom, and of course, your spinner will basically run right in the dirt. Not good. So the answer is a little experimentation is in order. Some generalities here only but I find 1.5 ounces works well down to 15 feet, from 15′ – 20′ jump to 2 ounces and so on.

On the boards, Off-Shore makes the best boards in my opinion but I’ve also used Mr. Walleye boards as well as Yellow Birds and liked them OK. Off-Shore’s are the best, particularly when rigged with the Tattle Flags.

The best way to get a handle on the amount of line to run behind a board to achieve a pre-determined running depth is to purchase a book that supplies dive curves for a number of different crankbaits. That way you can simply look up the crank your using, the depth you want it to run, and simply play out that much line before hooking on your planer board. Precision Trolling is the book I would recommend.

Great questions. Hopefully some others will jump in to cover some of the points I’m sure I over-looked.

I choose the weight by how much weight it takes to get and keep the bouncer on the bottom. You want the lower tip of the bouncer bouncing the bottom. Once you have determined this at the speed you are going then you can clip the planer board onto your line and then lower it to the water and let out enough line to let the board run at whatever distance you want the board to run from the boat. Willie Planer Boards [orange color] and Off-Shore Planer Boards [yellow color] work great. Let us know which ones you choose and how the worked for you. ps They also work great for 3-ways and also for crankbaits.

Great advise James. Fleet Farm has the “Precision Trolling” 6th edition book on sale……$15.00 Get the 6th edition, it has all the new cranks. This book is a “MUST” if you are trolling cranks. It also has all the conversions for snap weights, line tests, and a new snap weight/crank bait method. Great reading.

Good Fishin’

TBO/MN

James is right on with his advice.

One thing about bottom bouncers……I always tell people they should be called “bottom feelers” because that is how you want to fish them. Don’t drag bottom bouncers, rather use them to touch the bottom periodically. If you fish a bouncer correctly you rarely should lose one due to a snag. Like James said, keep that 45 Degree line angle and you’ll do fine.

Another trick I’ve learned is to not overwork the bouncer/spinner…….an old MIlle Lacs guide once told me that walleyes weren’t acrobats…….After finding the bottom, try holding the rod very still, no jigging or feeling for the bottom, you can even put the rod in a rod holder. For some reason, some days the fish prefer this.

My guide for bouncer weights is 11/2 oz for less than 15 feet, 2 oz. for 15-30 feet, and 3 oz. for deeper. This is for speeds around 0.8 to 1.2 mph.

Bouncers and spinners is a great technique that will help you catch more fish.

Eric Naig

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I will try your suggestions. First thing tomorrow I am going to find a copy of the 6th edition Trolling guide. Thanks again.