Q: What is the best inline planer board for trolling with copper fishing line or lead core fishing line?

A: When trolling with shorter lengths of copper line (up to 200’-250’) and lead core fishing line (6-8 colors), the TX-22 Special Planer Board and The Walleye Board both perform exceptionally well. For heavier copper setups or longer lead core that are typically used in salmon trolling, the TX-44 Super Planer Board is the ideal choice. It’s specifically designed to handle the added weight and drag of big-water applications, making it perfect for targeting salmon, lake trout, and other deep-water species

Q: Which Church Tackle side planer board is best for muskie, pike, and other big predator fish?

A: For trolling big predator fish like muskie and northern pike, The Walleye Board with the adjustable weight slid forward performs great even with larger, hard-pulling lures. When using oversized baits (11 inches or more), the TX-44 Super Planer Board is the best option. It’s built to handle heavy-duty trolling setups, making it ideal for muskie, pike, and other aggressive freshwater predators.

Q: What planer board setup is best for trolling salmon and trout in the Great Lakes?

A: For salmon and trout fishing in the Great Lakes, our two most popular planer boards are The Walleye Board and the TX-44 Super Planer Board. The Walleye Board is ideal for lighter trolling applications shorter coppers (up to 250’) and lead core (up to 8 colors). For larger, heavier trolling setups, the TX-44 is specifically designed for this application. This makes it perfect for targeting big-water species like salmon, lake trout, and steelhead.

Q: Why should I use snap weights when trolling for crappie? How do they work with Church Tackle planer boards?

A: Snap weights help get your bait down to crappie that are holding deeper in the water column, especially in warm water or when fish are suspended off structure. Unlike casting or long-lining, simply letting out more line doesn't make a lightweight lure go deeper. The weight of the lure itself limits how far it will sink. Adding a snap weight makes the entire rig heavier, which helps it reach the desired depth while using less line.

For crappie, snap weights are typically clipped onto your line 4 to 5 feet in front of the bait, allowing you to stay in control of your presentation and still net the fish without needing to remove the weight. It's a simple, effective way to fine-tune depth while using light jigs or soft plastics.

We offer a Snap Weight Kit with 1 oz, 2 oz, and 3 oz weights, Universal Clips, and split rings, plus individual snap weights if you need specific sizes. Our Universal Clip holds tight on light monofilament and pairs perfectly with Church Tackle planer boards like the TX-12 Mini making it a go-to choice for southern crappie trolling setups.

Q: What makes Church Tackle planer boards different from Off Shore Tackle boards?

A: Church Tackle offers more versatility and customization in its planer board lineup. We manufacture five different sizes of side planer boards, allowing anglers to choose the perfect board for their target species. Whether you're trolling for crappie, walleye, salmon, muskie, or anything in between we have the perfect board for that.

One of our standout innovations is the Double Action Flag System. It was the first flag system on the market that can be set to pop up or snap down when a fish strikes. This flexibility not only improves bite detection but also makes it easier to store boards flat when not in use if the flag is set in the down position. We have a Double Action Flag that fits the TX-22 and The Walleye Board. Plus, there is a Double Action Flag built specifically for the TX-44.

Our double action flag system also features a quick-adjust tension control, allowing you to fine- tune the sensitivity for different lure sizes, trolling speeds, or wave conditions with just the click of a lever.

Additionally, The Walleye Board includes an adjustable keel weight, giving you control over how far the board pulls out to the side. This makes it a favorite among anglers targeting walleye and salmon, as it lets you dial in performance to suit your personal trolling style and water conditions.

Another unique feature exclusive to Church Tackle is our rear pin design. By sliding your line behind the rear pin, you guarantee the board will not come off the line, even if your line slips out of the front clip. That means no more lost boards and no need to pull your entire spread just to go back to try to hunt down a lost board. The rear pin is easy to operate, even with gloves on, and offers added peace of mind whether you're trolling inland lakes or big water.

Q: How far away from the boat should your farthest side planer board be?

A: There’s no single “right” distance—how far out you run your farthest side planer board depends on several factors and can vary dramatically based on where and how you’re fishing.

• Fishing pressure: In high-traffic areas, like busy inland lakes or rivers, you may want to keep boards closer to the boat to stay in your lane and avoid tangling with others.
• Water clarity: In clear water, fish are more likely to spook from the boat. Running your boards farther out helps you present baits in undisturbed water.
• Fishing location: On big water like Lake Michigan, some anglers run their planer boards farther out than on Lake Erie. In tighter areas like the Detroit River, closer spreads are more practical.
• Bite pattern: If you’re noticing that only your outermost boards are getting bit, it’s a clue that the fish are boat-shy—and it might be time to move all your boards farther out.

Ultimately, your setup should reflect your target species, water conditions, and trolling environment. Don’t be afraid to adjust your spread until you find what’s working that day.

Q: How do I keep my fishing line from tangling when reeling in an inline planer board?

A: The key to avoiding tangles with inline planer boards is in how you set up your lines, especially when running multiple boards on one side of the boat.

If you’re running the same style of crankbait, use your longest lead (the distance from the planer board to the bait) on the board that’s farthest from the boat, and gradually shorten the leads as you move closer in. This creates a stair-step effect in your spread, which helps keep lines from crossing when reeling in.

If you’re running different types of baits, place the deepest-diving bait closest to the boat and the shallowest-running bait farthest out. This keeps your spread clean both horizontally and vertically.

When a fish hits, walk to the opposite rear corner of the boat, keep your rod tip low to the water, and reel in at a steady pace. This helps the board track away from other lines and reduces drag, making it easier to bring in the fish without tangling.

For a visual explanation, check out these videos on our YouTube channel:

• Avoiding Tangles While Trolling
• Proper Reel-In Technique with Inline Planer Boards

Q: What advantage is there to using a Stingray diving weight vs a bottom bouncer while trolling?

A: The Stingray Diving Weight is a streamlined, efficient alternative to a traditional bottom bouncer, with several key advantages especially for trolling in open water like Lake Erie. First, it reaches depth with less line out, thanks to its nose-down diving action, which creates a sharper entry angle in the water. This allows you to stay more vertical in the water column and better manage your trolling spread.

When a fish hits, the Stingray’s design causes the nose to lift, eliminating the diving resistance. That makes for a smoother fight and easier retrieval compared to a bottom bouncer, which continues to drag.

Another bonus: SAFETY!! There is no pointy wire swinging around when netting fish, which means less chance for injury to you or damage to your boat and motor. And unlike bulky bottom bouncers, Stingray Diving Weights store flat and compact, making them easier to organize in your tackle box.

Compared to more mechanical divers like Dipsy Divers®, the Stingray stands out for its no- hassle operation. There's no need to reset anything after a fish hits, and no risk of it slipping out of a notch like other diving weights. With the Stingray’s simple, consistent design, you can trust that your bait is running at the intended depth every time even after a short strike on a crawler harness. You know you bait is still in strike zone you set it in.

Q: How do you set up a Stingray Diving Weight for trolling?

A: Setting up a Stingray Diving Weight is simple, and proper orientation is key to getting the right diving action. On all sizes, the wider end of the weight should face your rod and reel, while the narrower end should point toward your bait.

For the #1 Stingray: Attach the wide end of your duo lock snap to the front hole, and another duo lock to the rear hole near the narrow end of the weight.

For the #2 and #3 Stingray: Clip the wide part of your duo lock snap to the top front hole, and another duo lock to the top hole at the back of the weight. Want to run your Stingray as a straight inline weight without diving action? Just clip to the lower front and back holes instead. This disables the dive feature and allows the weight to run more vertically.

Watch a step-by-step video on how to rig your Stingray Diving Weight here: How to Set Up a Stingray Diving Weight

Q: How do I know what size snap weight to use when trolling?

A: Choosing the right snap weight—1 oz, 2 oz, or 3 oz—depends on two key factors: the depth you're trying to reach and how many side planer boards you're running on one side of the boat.

1. Depth:

• Use a 1 oz snap weight if you're only trying to get your bait a few feet deeper.
• If you're targeting fish around 15–20 feet deep, a 2 oz weight is usually ideal.
• For depths of 25 feet or more, a 3 oz snap weight will help get your bait down faster and more reliably.

2. Trolling multiple planer boards:

• When running multiple boards on one side, stagger your snap weights to prevent tangles.
• Place lighter weights (1 oz) on the boards farthest from the boat, and use heavier weights (2–3 oz) on the boards closer to the boat.
• This helps maintain a clean spread and makes it easier to reel in fish without crossing lines.

Church Tackle offers both individual snap weights and a convenient Snap Weight Kit with all three sizes, plus Universal Clips that hold your weights securely in place.