How to Rig a Side Planer

A fundamental idea in fishing is to present the bait right in front of the fish where the fish will find it impossible to resist. This is why lures and flies are cast. It is the notion behind downriggers, which allow trolling fishermen in a boat to put bait and lures at precise depths. It is also the idea behind side planers, which allow fishermen on a bank to fish the middle of a moving stream and also allow trolling fishermen to fish well off to the sides of their boats. Side planers are simple devices with rudders that float, and the best way to comprehend how they work is to understand that they are all, basically, toy fishing boats.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing line
  • Five mm bead
  • Barrel swivel
  • 36-inch leader
  • Bait or lure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assemble your new side planer according to the directions that came in the box. The round end of the planer body should face upstream if you are fishing from shore and the planer rudder should face away from the planer hull.

    • 2

      Route the fishing line through the tripper arm on the front of the side planer, through the front fin line and through the eyelet on the back of the planer.

    • 3

      Thread a 5 mm bead onto the end of the line, then tie the line to a barrel swivel with any knot you like.

    • 4

      Tie a 36-inch leader rigged with a lure or bait to the other end of the barrel swivel using any knot.

    • 5

      Drop the bait or lure in the water. Pull out the length of line you want between the side planer and the leader. Then place the side planer in the water and let it float into the current.