Best Planer Boards 2025
- Steven Paul
- May 3
- 7 min read
Best Planer Boards for Fishing in 2025: Top Picks for Walleye, Musky, and Striper
Anglers frequently ask what's the best planer boards to boost their trolling success, asking, "What are the best walleye planer boards?" or "Which are the best musky planer boards?" In the South, many want to know "What are the best striper planer boards?" To help you choose the perfect planer board for your next fishing adventure, we’ve rigorously tested and ranked the best planer boards of 2025, tailored for walleye, musky, striper, and multi-species trolling.
Why These Planer Boards Stand Out
Our top-rated planer boards for fishing were tested under every imaginable condition to ensure outstanding performance. Each planer board was evaluated based on:
Rough Water Handling: Stability in choppy conditions and big waves.
Speed Versatility: Performance at high and low trolling speeds.
Lure Compatibility: Effectiveness with small and large lures.
Ease of Landing Fish: Minimal interference when reeling in walleye, musky, or striper.
Component Quality: Durability of clips and overall construction.
Below, we present the top three planer boards for 2025, designed to deliver exceptional results for your trolling adventures.
1. The Blade by Livingston Lures – Best Overall Planer Board
The Blade by Livingston Lures is the best planer board of 2025, outshining all competitors in our extensive on-water testing. Redefining planer board design, The Blade prioritizes performance over traditional aesthetics, offering unmatched versatility for walleye planer boards, musky planer boards, and more.
Striking Design
Unlike standard plastic planer boards, The Blade boasts a bold, modern look. Its angular foam topper sits atop a polished aluminum body with crisp lines, resembling a Ferrari next to a Ford Pinto. This visually striking design enhances visibility and distinguishes it as a premium choice for anglers seeking the best planer boards for fishing.
Superior Rough Water Performance
The Blade excels in challenging conditions, making it the best planer board for trolling in rough waters. During tests on heavy rollers, it glided effortlessly over wave crests, maintaining stability where other boards were dragged under, disrupting walleye trolling spreads. Its ability to navigate Great Lakes-sized rollers with ease makes it a game-changer for serious anglers.
Versatile Speed and Lure Compatibility
Unlike species-specific boards, The Blade is a universal solution, performing flawlessly across walleye and musky trolling. In walleye tests, it spread lures effectively at slow speeds (1 mph) using 10-pound monofilament and Smithwick Rogues, creating optimal distance with standard gear. Remarkably, it then pulled a 14-inch musky lure at 5 mph with equal precision, proving its adaptability for best walleye planer boards and best musky planer boards.
Unique Lure Vibration Feedback
A standout feature of The Blade is its ability to transmit lure vibrations to the rod tip, a first in planer board design. The innovative clip system relays every wiggle of your walleye or musky lures, allowing anglers to instantly detect if lures are fouled with vegetation or debris. This real-time feedback is invaluable for managing large trolling spreads, making The Blade a revolutionary choice among the best planer boards.
High-Quality Components
The Blade’s components, including its clips, are built for durability and versatility. While anglers may customize clips to personal preferences, the included clips perform reliably with both monofilament and braided lines. Backed by a lifetime warranty, Livingston Lures guarantees The Blade’s longevity, reflecting its exceptional build quality.
Why The Blade is #1
Rough Water Mastery: Unrivaled stability in big waves, pulling small to large lures effortlessly.
Speed Versatility: Excels at low (1 mph) and high (up to 9 mph) speeds.
Lure Flexibility: Handles small walleye lures and large musky baits.
Innovative Feedback: Transmits lure vibrations for real-time monitoring.
Premium Build: Durable aluminum body and reliable clips with a lifetime warranty.
For anglers seeking the best planer board for walleye, musky, or multi-species trolling, The Blade delivers unmatched performance, style, and innovation.
2. Offshore Tackle OR12 Side Planer
The Offshore Tackle OR12 Side Planer earns the #2 spot among the best planer boards of 2025 for its reliability across various fishing conditions. Widely used by anglers targeting walleye, it’s a staple in trolling setups.
Familiar Design
The Offshore OR12 features a durable, yellow plastic body, approximately 9.5 inches long, carefully ballasted for smooth operation. Its stationary red flag enhances visibility, making it easy to monitor during trolling.
Rough Water Performance
The OR12 is engineered to handle choppy conditions, maintaining stability where lesser boards falter. Its balanced design ensures it tracks well off the rod line, making it a top choice for best walleye planer boards. However, it pulls slightly harder than some competitors, which can be frustrating, and may dive subsurface when faced with waves or wake from nearby boats.
Flexible Speed and Lure Compatibility
The OR12 is suitable for low trolling speeds, accommodating a range of lures, including small walleye lures. It performs reliably with monofilament, fluorocarbon, and super braid lines, thanks to adjustable releases (e.g., OR19 Heavy Tension, OR16 Pro Clip).
Ease of Use and Customization
The OR12’s clip system, including OR19 and OR16 releases, allows anglers to adjust tension for different line types and fish sizes, reducing interference when landing fish. Some anglers note it requires more drag to prevent “clicking” (indicating a strike), but the optional Tattle Flag™ upgrade enhances bite detection, especially for light-biting walleye. Its design facilitates easy line removal during retrieval, minimizing lost fish.
Component Quality
The OR12 is built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability in freshwater environments. The included clips are reliable, though some anglers upgrade to specialized releases like the OR18 Snapper for super lines. Its versatility and aftermarket support make it a favorite for anglers who value customization.
Why Offshore OR12 is #2
Rough Water Reliability: Tracks well in moderate conditions but may dive in tough conditions.
Speed Versatility: Handles low speeds effectively; underperforms with large lures or in rough conditions.
Lure Compatibility: Supports small and large lures across species.
Customizable Rigging: Adjustable clips for various line types and tensions.
Durable Build: High-quality materials with optional Tattle Flag™ upgrade.
The Offshore OR12 Side Planer is a versatile, dependable choice for anglers. While it lacks The Blade’s innovative vibration feedback, its proven performance and customization options make it a strong contender among planer boards for fishing.
3. Church Tackle TX-22 Special Planer Board
The Church Tackle TX-22 Special Planer Board secures the #3 spot among the best planer boards of 2025. Its innovative features and affordability make it a popular choice for anglers prioritizing simplicity and performance.
Practical Design
The TX-22 features a plastic construction with an adjustable weight system, allowing anglers to fine-tune its pull for different lures and conditions. Its unique rear pin design prevents detachment, reducing the risk of loss—a key advantage over competitors. The board’s upright stance, even without forward motion, enhances visibility and ease of use, making it a solid pick for planer boards for fishing.
Dependable Rough Water Performance
The TX-22 performs well in choppy waters, with its adjustable weight optimizing stability. While it doesn’t match The Blade’s wave-riding prowess, it holds its own in moderate rollers, making it suitable for best walleye planer boards and best striper planer boards in inland lakes and bays. Anglers appreciate its ability to avoid diving during retrieval, unlike some smaller boards.
Speed and Lure Compatibility
The TX-22 handles a range of trolling speeds, from slow (under 1.5 mph) for walleye to faster speeds for striper and musky. It supports small crankbaits and larger lures, though heavy musky baits may require weight adjustments to prevent diving. Its Lock Jaw clip securely holds monofilament, braided, and lead core lines, offering versatility for best musky planer boards in lighter setups.
Ease of Use and Fish Landing
The TX-22’s design simplifies rigging and retrieval, with a flex clip release that improves strike detection and eases board removal when landing fish. Anglers report fewer lost fish compared to boards with stiffer releases, enhancing its appeal for walleye and striper fishing. The adjustable flag system aids bite detection, especially in calm conditions.
Component Quality
The TX-22 is built for durability with eco-friendly materials. The included Lock Jaw clip is reliable, though some anglers upgrade to custom releases for specific applications. Its affordability and robust construction make it a cost-effective option for anglers seeking the best planer boards on a budget.
Why Church TX-22 is #3
Rough Water Capability: Stable in moderate chop with adjustable weight.
Speed Flexibility: Effective at slow and moderate speeds.
Lure Support: Handles small and medium lures; requires adjustments for larger baits.
User-Friendly Design: Easy rigging and retrieval with adjustable flags.
Affordable Durability: High-quality materials at a budget-friendly price.
The Church Tackle TX-22 Special Planer Board is a solid choice for anglers seeking best planer boards for trolling with ease and reliability. While it lacks The Blade’s premium features or the OR12’s customization, its simplicity and performance make it a decent option for walleye, striper, and lighter musky trolling.
Final Thoughts
The best planer boards of 2025 cater to diverse trolling needs, with The Blade from Livingston Lures beats out the competition through its ease of use, versatility and construction. If you want to up your trolling game adding The Blade to your spread is a game changer. The other options are great and reliable and are more than enough to get some baits out and away from the boat. With so many advancements in fishing over the last few years it seems that an upgrade in planer boards was needed and Livingston Lures heard the call and answered with The Blade.
Comments