Top 3 Best Walleye Trolling Rods For Planer Boards [2023 Guide]

It is no secret that trolling for walleye has been proven to be an extremely effective method for countless years.  This is especially true when fishing expansive cover where fish are more likely to be spread out.  Covering water is critical in this situation, and trolling is a great way to put your lure in front of as many fish as possible. Additionally, planer boards allow anglers to spread lines out and cover even more water than traditional flat lines trolling methods. This article will discuss the best walleye trolling rods for planer boards based on rod length, power, and storability.

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Trolling rods for walleye fishing can be intimidating for anglers just starting out, as there are countless options on the market.  The goal of this article is to simplify the current trolling rod options based on fishing rod length, power, and storability. 


Best Trolling Rods For Planer Boards (Quick Summary)

  1. St Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod (High End Option)
  2. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Trolling Rod (Intermediate Option)
  3. Diawa RG Walleye Trolling Rod (Budget Option)

What is a Planer Board?

A planer board is a board the clips onto the trolling line and directs the line away from the side of the boat.  The side of the boat that a planer board should be used in depends on its orientation highlighted below. Planer Boards create more drag through the water compared to flat-line trolling techniques. The Best Walleye Trolling Rods for Planer Boards are specifically designed to handle the increased resistance.

Left Side Planer Board

Right Side Planer Board


Choosing Walleye Trolling Rod Length For Planer Boards

Length is often overlooked by anglers that are new to trolling, however veteran anglers know that it is critical.  This is especially true when using planer boards and running more than one line off each side of the boat, which is often true when trolling for walleye.  The rod towards the bow of the boat should ideally be slightly longer than the rod toward the stern to give the baits proper separation and prevent tangling.  I recommend a trolling rod from 8-9 ft for rods toward the bow of the boat and rods 6-8 ft for rods towards the stern of the boat. 

If I were to choose only one size for most walleye trolling applications, a 7-8ft rod will cover almost all scenarios. 

Trolling diagram illustrating the importance of longer rods towards the bow and shorter rods towards the boat stern

Choosing Trolling Rod Power For Planer Boards

Power is another important factor to consider prior to selecting a trolling rod for planer board fishing and walleye.  Walleyes are light biters at times and lighter wire hooks are typically used, so having a rod with enough give to it can be critical. When trolling with a planer board attached to your line, I recommend a medium power due to the increased resistance on the rod compared to flat line trolling. A rod that has a lighter power than this tends to bend too much under the pressure from the planer board, making it difficult to fish effectively. At the same time, there is no need for a heavy power rod for almost all walleye applications.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Trolling Rods have a great power to troll planer boards for walleye

Walleye Trolling Rod Storability

The final factor to consider with any trolling rod is its storability.  Trolling rods are lengthy and can take up a lot of room in your boat or at home.  If your storage space is limited, I would recommend either buying a two piece or telescoping trolling rod.  A two-piece trolling rod can be taken apart into two pieces, reducing its length in half.  Telescoping rods reduce length as well by folding in on themselves.

Make sure to select trolling rods that are compatible with your rod locker dimensions

Best Walleye Trolling Rods For Planer Boards (More Specifics)

Ultimately, the best walleye trolling rod for you will depend on your personal preferences and the specific lures and presentations you plan on using the most.  Below are some of my technique specific recommendations

St Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod (Higher End Option)

General Information: Linear S-Glass Blank, Kigan Master 3D guides, Fuji Reel Seat, and Split-Grip EVA Handle

Pros: Many sizes to choose from specifically designed for walleye, built from high quality components, and comes with a 5-year warranty

Cons: Models under 7′ only come with 1 piece options, and this is the most expensive of the three trolling rods choosen

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Trolling Rod (Intermediate Option)

General Information: E-glass Outer Construction With Graphite Core Blank, Ugly Tuff Stainless Steel Guides, and Conventional EVA Handle

Pros: Very durable construction and with a 7-year limited warranty

Cons: Minimal size/power options to choose from and the 2-piece option only comes with the 8′ model.

Diawa RG Walleye Trolling Rod (Budget Option)

General Information: Glass Blank Construction, EVA Handle, and Telescoping Option

Pros: Relatively cheap for trolling rods, specifically designed walleye models, and large EVA Handles work well with rod holders.

Cons: Rods are still fairly long for storing even with the telescoping option, and only a few length and power options to choose from


More Information

You made it to the end of the Best Walleye Trolling Rods For Planer Boards!

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To learn more about all around walleye trolling rods, check out this article

To learn the specifics of how to troll for walleye, check out this article

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