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We use the smaller Willes planer boards with a knuckle release in the spring when the coho are small.  We wind a speed bead 4-5' ahead of the lure to keep the board from hitting the fish.  They don't take up much room and the speed beads can be added or removed without cutting and retying.   
Last year we used a 14' boat and trolled the river and harbor mouth in March flatlining and holding a bass rod using 10# mono.  Coho are tough little fish on regular bass tackle.

BN do you have any recommendations for lighter trolling tackle that could make the fight a little more enjoyable?  We are switching to big boards this spring for that sole reason and I’m thinking the Shakespeare 7’6” walleye combos with 12 lb line are our best bet - light enough for some give but have the backbone for trolling.  Let me know if you see differently.

I'm not familiar with those particular rods but they will likely be just fine. I still have a half-dozen Rhino Rods I bought back in the 1990s so they certainly have lived up to their "Rhino-tough" advertising. Those are 8 footers.  I wouldn't go much shorter than 7 1/2 - personal preference, more control of the fish near the boat, a bit more cushion at the strike and initial fight when you are using lighter line. I used to use 12 pound mono in the spring, but I've now increased to 20 pound fluorocarbon leader. Partly because I don't have problems with rookies on the boat with the heavier line, little more strength when a bigger fish happens along.  I have several Daiwa Wilderness Rods which are okay, but significantly stiffer than the Rhinos. Daiwa has a bunch of other moderately priced rods, as does Berkley. I've had several Shimano and other high end rods and they haven't really stood the test of time. For trolling, no sense spending big bucks for a rod.  

Thanks for the info BN.  Agree on the rods- anyone can pick up a wilderness for $20.  However, I think those rods are a little too big for what I’m trying to do this spring.  I will probably end up picking up the Shakespeare combos…if you see them in the classifieds this summer you’ll know how it went.

Well my list is short 1) coho - fun fishing when they are going, can be a firedrill
                                    2) Lake trout- I do not harbor any hate for Lakers and have had some great fun catching them.  I also like to smoke some of the larger ones and find the smaller ones delicious on the grill
So that's it- I'm a newbie to the Southside and only have a few seasons under my belt. 
I have yet to catch a King,Steelhead or Brown on my boat so i can't rank them.  
  I can't wait to land a King, think it's coming this year and i sure will welcome some steelhead too.

Ltrain wrote:

Well my list is short 1) coho - fun fishing when they are going, can be a firedrill
                                    2) Lake trout- I do not harbor any hate for Lakers and have had some great fun catching them.  I also like to smoke some of the larger ones and find the smaller ones delicious on the grill
So that's it- I'm a newbie to the Southside and only have a few seasons under my belt. 
I have yet to catch a King,Steelhead or Brown on my boat so i can't rank them.  
  I can't wait to land a King, think it's coming this year and i sure will welcome some steelhead too.

Ltrain your going to get that King this year and you will be hooked like you wont believe .  While a different but still strong fight, Steelhead a darn close second for fun.

It was September 2011, and I had always been a bass guy. I fished alot of tournaments when I was young, then the boat got sold because me and my wife started a life and had a son.  Eventually started fishing with one of my sons friends father 8 years later.  We were neighbors.  Bass fishing around here is tough, you have to travel and we spent most of our time becoming experts on the Kank.  One day me and him decided to fish burns ditch, we had never been there.  We fished up and down the ditch and probably caught 30 Largemouth in 5 hours or so.  Action was good!  We went back the following week, it was slower, but we still were hooking up.  Got to the mouth of the ditch and the lake was dead flat.  Saw the rocks out northeast - basically the #4 and thought, hmmm I bet there are smallmouth on them there rocks.  Went over, started throwing a big Bill Dance crankbait that was blue/silver/white and hooked up with a 12 lb steelhead which was an amazing amazing fight with all kinds of aerial acrobatics.  

I never bass fished again (well mostly) 
 

Great story.  I've heard it before, but like a good song, it's always fun to hear it again!  

Thanks Dirty, I sure hope so. At least I do okay on the spring coho and truly enjoy catching them Lakers- maybe ignorance is bliss, lol. I must say some of those Lakers do fight- I have had some just come in without much of a fight but i have had others really give it a go. I had one 2 years ago that i just knew it had to be a king, taking out drag, going on multiple runs, 20 minute fight. I was very surprised when i finally seen it was a Laker. It did go 17 pounds but still no Kong. Thanks for sharing your experience, love a good fishing story.