In-Line Planer Boards

Like planer rigging, using in-line planer boards is a method used to get your lure presentation out to the sides of your boat. In-line planers like Big Jon's Otter, Mini-Otter and Side-Liner do not require the use of a mast, they clip directly to your fishing line.

Using in-line planers will allow you to cover a much wider area as your boat passes through the area that you want to fish.

If you want to add some variety to your lure presentation, Big Jon's large Otters and Side-Liners can be used along with Big Jon's Mini-Diver and Deep'r Diver diving disks to take your lures to deeper depths.

A unique feature of Big Jon's Side-Liner is that it has built-in rattles. The rattles are a proven method of attracting a fish's attention in large bodies of water, like the Great Lakes.

Step-By-Step Operation Of In-Line Planers

1.

Bring your boat to trolling speed. Then let your lure out to the desired fishing distance behind the boat. Once your lure is out to the desired distance, set the drag clicker on your reel to prevent it from free-spooling. Then place your fishing rod in the rod holder.

2.

Take hold of the fishing line and clip the swivel clip (at the back of the planer) around the line (as shown in drawing A). Then attach the line release to the fishing line, ahead of the swivel clip (as shown in drawing B).

NOTE:

All Big Jon in-line planers are designed so the release arm can be set for the planer to be used on the left or right sides of the boat.

3.

Remove your fishing rod from the rod holder and place the planer in the water. Keep your rod tip high and let out line until the planer moves out to the desired distance from the boat.

NOTE:

The maximum distance that an in-line planer will move away from a boat is governed by the height of the fishing rod tip. This makes longer fishing rods desirable when fishing with in-line planers.

4.

When the in-line planer has reached the desired distance from the boat, set the drag clicker on your reel to prevent it from free-spooling. Then place the fishing rod in the front rod holder. Set the rod holder to hold the fishing rod straight up to keep the rod tip as high as possible. This will allow the planer to gain the greatest distance from the boat.

Next, repeat steps 1 through 4 with the fishig rod in the rear rod holder. Then follow the same procedure for the rods on the other side of the boat.

5.

When a fish strikes your lure, the line release will "Pop-Off", allowing the planer to slide down the line to a "Speedo Bead". The "Speedo Bead is placed approximately 18 inches in front of the lure to keep the planer from interfering with the fish.

In-Line
Planer Releases

Otter Release

The Otter Release is the "plug and barrel" style of release. To use it, fit your fishing line into the notch in the plug end of the release. Then press the plug and fishing line into the barrel end of the release. The amount of pressure you apply when inserting the plug will determine if it will "pop-off" with a light or hard strike.

Offshore Release

The Offshore Release is a "pinch pad" style of release. To use it, pinch the top and bottom halves of the release to open the pads. Then insert the fishing line between the pads and release the pressure to allow the pads to close around the fishing line.