Trolling Gear for Walleye

Everything in a walleye trolling program hangs off the same foundation: a track or mounting system on the gunwale, holders that position each rod, and a way to get baits to depth and away from the boat. Planer boards spread lines to the sides, downriggers hold baits at an exact depth, and dipsey divers split the difference — depth plus spread without the rigging of a rigger.

Build the system in that order. Tracks first, because every holder, tree and accessory mounts to them. Holders and trees second, sized to the number of lines your state allows and your crew can manage. Depth control third — boards, divers and riggers based on the water you fish and the depths your fish use.

The brands here are the ones Great Lakes and inland walleye anglers actually run: Traxstech and Cisco track systems and holders, Amish Outfitters boards, bags and spoon storage, and Scotty downriggers. Start in Rod Holders or Downriggers if you're building from scratch.