Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard Review

Putting the Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard Through Its Paces

As an angler who cut their teeth chasing walleye in everything from glassy lakes to churning river currents, I’ve learned that success often hinges on getting your presentation exactly where the fish are holding. This means extending your lure’s reach, and for years, that’s meant relying on planer boards. My search for dependable, easy-to-manage planer boards led me to the Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard. These blaze orange beauties promised to simplify the process of spreading out my spread of offerings, and frankly, after a season battling weeds, wind, and the occasional monster bite, I can say they largely deliver. The need arose from a frustration with previous boards that were either too bulky to manage on smaller boats or had clips that just didn’t hold light braided lines reliably. A quick first impression revealed a surprisingly robust yet lightweight construction, with the glass-filled nylon clip feeling both flexible and tough. I’d briefly considered a few other brands, but the specific design of Church Tackle’s clip was what ultimately tipped the scales. The initial feel in hand offered a quiet sense of confidence, a welcome change from the fiddly gear I’d dealt with before.

Real-World Testing: Putting Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial foray with the Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard was on a breezy morning on Lake Erie’s western basin. The goal was to troll crankbaits for walleye in about 20-25 feet of water, requiring a good spread to avoid tangles and present multiple lure options. The blaze orange color made tracking these boards effortless against the choppy, grey water, even at a distance. Setting them up was straightforward; the adjustable flex clip easily accommodated my 10-pound test braided line without slippage, a common issue I’d faced with other brands that tended to pinch or damage lighter braids. The spring-loaded retaining pin also held the line securely in its groove, giving me peace of mind that it wouldn’t inadvertently detach during aggressive trolling or when a fish hit.

Extended Use & Reliability

After a full season of use, traversing countless miles of water and enduring everything from mild chop to significant swells, these planer boards have proven their worth. They’ve been deployed in both calm lake trolling and more dynamic river trolling scenarios, often encountering submerged debris that would snag lesser boards. Despite numerous encounters with weeds and the occasional violent tug from a large walleye, the boards themselves show minimal wear. The glass-filled nylon clip remains flexible and has not cracked or become brittle, a testament to its tough nylon construction. Cleaning is a breeze; a quick rinse with freshwater after each outing is usually all that’s needed to keep them in top shape, and they store neatly without taking up excessive space. Compared to some bulkier, older models I’ve used, these Church Tackle boards are significantly more manageable, and their consistent performance has certainly outshone some of the budget options I’ve tried in the past.

Breaking Down the Features of Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard

Specifications

The Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard measures a practical 10″ x 3-1/2″, providing a good balance of surface area for effective water resistance without being unwieldy. The construction relies on a lightweight, glass-filled, super tough nylon for the main body, which contributes to their durability and flexibility. A key component is the adjustable flex clip, a standout feature designed to handle a wide range of line types including ultra-thin braids, lead core, and monofilament. This clip’s adjustability allows anglers to fine-tune the tension, ensuring a secure hold on anything from the slickest braid to a thicker monofilament. Additionally, a spring-loaded retaining pin is integrated into the rear of the board, designed to firmly seat the fishing line in a groove, providing an extra layer of security against accidental release. These specifications collectively aim to deliver a dependable and versatile planer board experience for serious walleye anglers.

Performance & Functionality

In terms of pure performance, the Church Tackle Walleye Planer Boards excel at their primary function: getting your lure out to the side and keeping it there. The blaze orange color is a significant advantage, offering excellent visibility that makes tracking multiple boards, even in choppy conditions, remarkably easy. They consistently track straight, fulfilling their promise of not diving, which is crucial for maintaining a consistent lure depth and avoiding snags. The adjustable flex clip is, without doubt, the star of the show here. Its ability to securely grip everything from ultrathin super braids to heavier monofilament without damaging the line is a major win. I’ve found the tension can be adjusted precisely, providing confidence that the board won’t release prematurely, yet it’s still manageable to clip and unclip on the fly.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of these boards is clearly focused on practicality and user experience. The blaze orange finish is not just for visibility; it’s a bright, bold color that stands out well against water and sky. The 10″ x 3-1/2″ dimensions feel substantial enough to generate sufficient pull to keep the board tracking outwards effectively, yet they aren’t so large that they become difficult to handle or store. The glass-filled, super tough nylon construction gives the boards a pleasant, durable feel without being overly heavy. The adjustable flex clip is intuitively designed; a simple squeeze allows for opening and closing, and the tension adjustment is straightforward to manipulate. The rear retaining pin is also well-placed and functions with a satisfying click, confirming your line is securely seated.

Durability & Maintenance

After extensive use throughout a walleye season, the durability of the Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard is impressive. The tough nylon construction has held up exceptionally well, showing no signs of cracking, fading, or becoming brittle, even after repeated exposure to sun, water, and impacts with submerged objects. The flex clip mechanism remains robust and continues to provide a firm grip without any noticeable degradation in performance. Maintenance is minimal; a simple rinse with freshwater after each outing is sufficient to remove any residual lake water or slime, and they dry quickly. There are no complex parts to worry about, making them incredibly low-maintenance and reliable for anglers who want gear that just works.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard comes as a complete unit, with the primary included “accessory” being the integrated adjustable flex clip and spring-loaded retaining pin. These are not separate add-ons but integral parts of the board’s design, contributing directly to its functionality. While there aren’t external accessories to purchase for the boards themselves, their design is compatible with standard planer board releases if an angler wishes to experiment with different strike indication systems. However, for their intended use, the built-in clip and pin system is highly effective and generally negates the need for external accessories for most walleye trolling applications.

Pros and Cons of Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard

Who Should Buy Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard?

The Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard is an ideal choice for walleye anglers who prioritize reliability, versatility, and ease of use. If you fish in conditions where visibility is key, such as choppy water or low light, the bright orange color will be a significant benefit. Anglers who regularly switch between different fishing lines, such as ultralight braid for finesse presentations and monofilament for certain crankbaits, will particularly appreciate the adjustable flex clip’s adaptability. Furthermore, those who fish from smaller boats or kayaks, where space is at a premium, will find these boards manageable and efficient. Someone who has struggled with planer boards that damage light lines or come unclipped during a fight should definitely consider these.

If your primary focus is on extreme depth control with heavy lead core or copper lines in very rough conditions, you might want to explore larger, specialized boards. However, for general walleye trolling across various water types and conditions, these are a fantastic, well-rounded option. As for essential complementary items, a good quality planer board mast or a reliable side planer release system is crucial for deploying and retrieving these boards effectively from your boat.

Conclusion on Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard

The Church Tackle Co Walleye Planer Board Starboard represents a solid investment for any serious walleye angler looking to enhance their trolling spread. Their performance is consistently reliable, delivering on the promise of easy tracking and secure line holding thanks to the innovative adjustable flex clip. The tough nylon construction assures anglers that these boards are built to last through many seasons of demanding use. While the upfront cost might be a touch higher than entry-level options, the combination of durability, functionality, and the peace of mind they provide makes them well worth the price. I would wholeheartedly recommend these boards to anyone looking for a dependable and versatile solution to spread their offerings and increase their chances of success on the water. If you’re tired of fiddling with finicky gear and want equipment that simply performs, these Church Tackle boards are a smart choice.