Planer Boards

[Elmo]

I am down in MD on business this week and while discussing trolling with some local fishermen, I was informed that most boats, (even charter boats), use planer boards as opposed to outriggers when trolling. I find it hard to believe but some boats fish up to15 lines I was told and have a footprint of 100 ft across. I can't recall ever seeing anyone use planer boards for trolling in our neck of the woods and was just wondering if anyone knows why this technique is seldom if ever used? Thanks

[MTC]

Carolina rigs... Planer boards... downriggers... they pull out all the stops...

When they hook up they winch the fish in without ever slowing down from the 5 kt troll speed they go. If they don't drown the fish the gaff they hit them with finishes them off... They do this to 16 fish per charter all winter long.