Crappie Trolling System -Ron Holt
How Planer Boards Changed the Way I Catch Crappie
A Mississippi guide’s system for doubling his catch with a simple trolling adjustment
From Struggling Days to Limits Again
I’m Ronald Holt, a crappie guide on Sardis Lake and Enid Lake in northern Mississippi.
I’ve been guiding for about 10 years, and like a lot of anglers, I’ve had to adapt as fishing pressure and technology have changed.
A few years ago, I hit a stretch where I was struggling. Late summer conditions—clear water, warm temperatures, and heavy pressure from forward-facing sonar had fish scattered and boat-shy. Some days, I was only catching a couple of fish.
That’s when another angler told me I needed to learn how to use planer boards.
I took that advice, got on the water with some experienced anglers, and everything changed.
The Breakthrough: Covering More Water Without Spooking Fish
The biggest advantage of planer boards is simple: they let you present baits far away from the boat.
In clear water, especially during the summer, crappie often move away from boat traffic. With planer boards, you’re still covering those fish—but without driving right over them.
The first day I used them, about half our fish came from lines off the boards and half from the front of the boat. That alone told me this was something different.
Once I fully committed to the system, my results jumped up immediately. In one stretch, I made 19 guide trips and caught a full limit 18 times.
My Basic Setup
My approach is built around spreading baits both in front of and behind the boat to cover as much water as possible.
- 6 rods out the front (pushing)
- 6 rods off the back with planer boards (pulling)
That combination lets me fish multiple depths, multiple distances, and a much wider area than traditional crappie fishing approaches alone.
Dialing in Depth First
Before I even set out my planer boards, I use my forward rods to find the strike zone.
- Watch sonar to locate suspended fish (often 10–12 feet deep in summer)
- Adjust speed (typically around 1.5 mph)
- Let line out until my bait is running at the right depth
Once I determine that depth, say 15 feet, I replicate it exactly on my planer board lines.
That’s key: match the depth, not just the setup.
Planer Board Setup
Once I know the depth:
- I rig the same bait and leader as my front rods
- Let out the same amount of line
- Clip the line to the planer board
- Send it out to the side or behind the boat
I typically run six planer boards off the back, staggered at different distances (for example: 75, 125, and 175 feet). This spreads baits across a wide swath of water, covering hundreds of feet at a time.
The Church Tackle TX-12 Mini planer board is perfect for this system.
Why It Works So Well in Summer
In warm, clear water, crappie behave differently:
- They suspend over open water
- They become more aggressive—but also more cautious
- They move away from boats
Planer boards solve that problem. Fish that avoid the boat often slide off to the sides—exactly where your baits are running. Instead of losing those fish, you’re intercepting them.
Baits and Gear
My setup stays simple and consistent:
Rods: Short trolling rods (like 6–7 foot models) work great with planer boards
Baits:
-Crappie jigs
-Crankbaits (like Pico-style baits)
-Double rigs (jig above, crankbait below)
Presentation: Match your front rods exactly
One advantage of planer boards is you don’t need long trolling rods—you can often use gear you already own.
More Than Just More Fish
Yes, planer boards increase your catch—but they also change the experience.
You’ll often:
- Catch fish both front and back at the same time
- Hook multiple fish when moving through a school
- Watch fish track across the surface as you reel them in
It’s interactive, fast-paced, and especially fun for kids and groups. There are days when every rod is going off, and suddenly no lines are left in the water because everyone’s reeling in fish. That’s a good problem to have.
Why I Won’t Fish Without Them Now
Adding planer boards didn’t just improve my catch, it saved my guide business during a tough stretch. They helped me adapt to changing conditions and increased pressure on the fish.
If you troll for crappie—especially in clear water or during the summer, you should seriously consider adding them to your setup. They’re not complicated. After a couple trips, it becomes second nature. And once you see the difference, it’s hard to go back.
____________________________
If you’d like to learn more or see this system in action contact:
Ronald Holt
Holt's Crappie Guide Service
(870) 926-1347
