TX-44 Planer Board
4.7(2,200)4.7 out of 5 stars, 2,200 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenThe in-line board that walleye trolling on Erie is essentially built around — it tracks hard, releases clean, and shows a bite.
Luhr-Jensen
Luhr-Jensen · Trolling
Dipsy Diver
4.6(3,800)4.6 out of 5 stars, 3,800 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenA directional diving disc that takes a bait down and out to the side — the cheapest way to widen a trolling spread.
Check price on Amazon$18— Dipsy DiverPrice shown was accurate on 2026-09-01. Amazon sets the live price.
What's good
- Runs a bait out to the side of the boat, away from prop wash and into untouched water
- Adjustable setting dial gives repeatable depth and lateral distance
- Trips on the strike so you fight the fish, not the diver
- Under $20 to add a whole additional rod to your program
What isn't
- Fights like a bucket on the retrieve — bringing one in from 200 feet with no fish on is genuine work
- The trip mechanism releases on heavy chop or weeds, and you will not always notice
- Requires a heavy rod and 30-lb line minimum; it will destroy light tackle
We list the drawbacks because a recommendation with no downside is a sales pitch. If a cheaper item does the job on your water, the write-up says so.
Also worth a look
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4.6(1,700)4.6 out of 5 stars, 1,700 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenThe other standard in-line board — slightly larger, pulls heavier loads, and handles copper and lead core better than most.
832 Advanced Lead Core
4.6(1,100)4.6 out of 5 stars, 1,100 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenBraided-jacket lead core that sinks faster and takes up less spool than the old nylon-jacketed stuff.
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4.6(420)4.6 out of 5 stars, 420 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenA cast-aluminum rod holder that will not fold when a 10-pound king loads a rod at 2.5 mph.