For the most part, we have stopped using lead core to get out lures down in the deep water. That bite has pretty much died down to only a few fish here and there. We have instead started running flat lines behind in-line planer boards. Jointed shad raps are still the go to crank bait though they are closely followed by and assortment of other crank baits.
Trolling crank baits behind planer boards is pretty easy and no one should feel like they are not skilled enough to use them. Its simply a matter of letting out as much line behind the boat as you desire, then clamping the planer board on the line. Next let out some more line to allow the planer board to pull you lure away from the boat. We typically send the boards anywhere from 60 to 100' out away from the boat. Using planer boards enables your lure to run in a different path than the one your boat is running in which can be the difference between catching fish and going home with an empty cooler.
