Distance between planer boards

[DaCoder]

I use the OffShore brand planer boards, and I'm just wondering what distance to run between the boards after attaching the lures. I usually run them at 75', 50' and 25' away from the boat, but someone suggested going 120', 80' and 40' away from the boat. Obviously this is for running 3 boards out on the same side.

Just curious.

[Sunshine]

My rule of thumb is that shallower and clearer water requires further distances from the boat and each board. If the water is stained or if I'm fishing deep, I'll keep them closer to the boat.

If there's allot of traffic please bring them in so you don't become an obstacle for the rest of us. Bottom line, both distances that you mention work depending on water clarity and depth.

[ezmarc]

You may also want to separate them more if running deep cranks out a long ways. If they aren't tuned exactly(or even if they are and you make the wrong kind of turn) they can run into each other a create some rather mind numbing tangles, especially with braided lines.

[Targa2]

Ditto to both the above posts. Heres one more thing to consider when you have the lake to yourself. The action that a planer board imparts to a lure as it surges up and down the waves is an added bonus and common knowledge.Heres some not so common knowledge relating to this effect.As the board drops into a trough it pulls against the rod and the rod slingshots it back up the next wave. The shorter the length of line from the rod tip to the board the more dramatic this action will be. Couple this with a short length of line from board to bait and some heavy wave action and you can get some nasty stop and go action at the bait.

In rough conditions the rule of thumb is a shorter distance from boat to board.Sometime though, I have found this to be an adverse effect and needed to lengthen the boat to board distance considerably to get bit. Start in close and add distance until you find what they want for "pulse" action.