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TECHNIQUE F SPREAD TROLLING // 58°F+

IN-LINE PLANER BOARDS

The PWC Version // Spread Your Lines Wide

>When to use

Once the water passes ~58-60°F and walleye scatter off the tight reef tops, flatlining two rods straight off the back stops being enough. An in-line board clips onto your line and planes out to the side, so you can run several lines without tangling and sweep a 60-90 ft wide swath instead of a single track. This is how you cover water and find the scattered pods. Start with one board per side on top of your two flatlines, and add more only once handling them solo feels routine.

PWC realityYou have one free hand. Boards add line-management while you're also steering and watching the GPS. Master flatlining (Technique D) first, run boards on calm days to start, and keep the spread small and symmetrical so you can reset fast.

01Setup

GEAR
01
Boards: Off Shore Tackle OR12 in-line boards (red/orange for visibility). One pair to start. They clip directly onto your fishing line, no separate mast or tow line needed — ideal for a PWC.
02
Bait: the same stick baits you flatline (Reef Runner 800, Husky Jerk #12, Bandit) or a worm harness behind a small weight. Cranks are simpler to start.
03
Rod holders: you need at least 2-3 fixed holders on the Linq points so a board can sit while you deploy the next one. A line-counter reel makes repeatable leads much easier.
04
Line: 10-12 lb mono. The board's release tension is set for mono; braid can slip or cut into the clip.

02Deploying solo (the key skill)

ONE BOARD AT A TIME
01
Let the bait out first. Feed your crankbait the lead you want (e.g. 40 ft) BEHIND where the board will clip, then stop.
02
Clip the board on the line at the rod tip: line in the front pin/clip, line in the rear release clip. Set the boat to a straight, steady 1.3-1.5 mph first so you're not fighting the wheel.
03
Feed line and the board planes out to the side. Let out 30-60 ft of board lead so it rides 15-30 ft off the hull, then set the rod in the holder. Repeat on the other side.
04
Stagger your leads. Inside boards short, outside boards longer (or vary the bait dive depth) so lines don't cross on turns.

03The Strike

READING THE BOARD
01
The board drops back and/or pops flat. A fish loads the line, the board stops planing and falls behind the others or lays over. That's your bite — it's visual, not a rod thump.
02
Don't slow down right away. Pick up that rod, reel until you feel the fish, then ease the throttle back. The board slides up the line to your rod tip as you reel; pop it off and keep fighting the fish.
03
Net low, after the board is off and stowed. Keep the other lines running — a fired-up pod often means doubles.
MistakeRunning too many boards before you can deploy and clear one cleanly solo. A tangle at trolling speed on a PWC is a mess you can't fix one-handed. Two flatlines + one board per side is plenty until it's second nature.

04Further Reading