Spread em' Question!

[Waylonh]

Need something that will separate my trolling lines. Are these called Plainer boards, or outriggers? Any body have any, and are they hard to use? I've been having problems with my crankbaits tangling together. How can I get them spread apart?

[slabbatical]

I've seen plainer boards used. They work ok. But I don't use them trolling for crappie. To keep my cranks from tangling, I use a mix of longer and shorter rods staggered in order from longest to shortest. I also stagger the distance the lure trails behind the boat. Most rod holders are adjustable and the angle of the rod could be adjusted to make the seperation even greater. Also don't troll cranks right next to each other, try a jig in between. Depending on the size jig, it will probably run deeper than your crank bait. If you are going so fast the cranks have that much left to right wiggle/action to them, you may want to slow down or use a crank with a different lip on it.

[Waylonh]

I stagger my lengths, and still have problems. Might try a jig inbetween, thanks. I'm fishing out of a 1430 jon boat, its pretty skinny and hard to keep em spread.

[SteveJ]

I use 4 rods and have been using 300 Bandits on the 2 inside rods with less line out and 200 Bandits on the outside rods but still get a few tangles.

[chaunc]

I use mini-planers to troll for panfish up here in Pa. Check out this site to get some. www.fishusa.com You can get inline boards there too. we use them for walleye.
Don't know if this link will work but i'll give it a try.
http://www.fishusa.com/tackleshop/ca...oduct.asp?Prod
You can find them in the boat equipment section under churchs tackle.

[wrwest]

I have use planer board for Salmon and they work good. You might want to try adding some weight to your lines to get them to diffrent depths. That is what Stevej is doing by using two diffrent size lures. Good luck...

[1weezer]

Try reading this article by J. White. He did a very good job explaining this type of fishing. http://www.crappie.com/jeff