Offshore Fishing with a Trolling Planer

Trolling planers are the ultimate tool for nearshore fishing. If you're fishing in nearshore waters of 300 feet or less, trolling planers is the most productive tool you can use. During the summer, when the air temperature soars and the upper water column heats up, fish tend to go deeper. The question is: How do you get your baits down to where the fish are? The answer: Use a fishing planer. If you're not using them, you might as well consider another hobby, like golf. And while this guide is based on experiences in South Florida, the knowledge about trolling planer fishing is universally applicable.

• Big boat and small boat setups
• Tackle essentials
• The right rods and reels
• Rigs, tactics, and techniques for planer fishing