Okay, so the setup most everyone runs is going to be a harness, either with a 5-6' mono or fluorocarbon leader, that connects to the trolling sinker, the trolling sinker is connected on the other side (they have swivels on each end of them) to your main line. When someone is giving you distances, such as 31' back, that's using like counter reels zeroed at the rod tip, let out line until the reel reads 31, attach to your planer board and let it out into position. The amount of line between the boat and the board or clip (if you're running the big boards) does not have any effect on the depth the bait is running when you're going in a straight line save for the lines closest to the boat on the big boards which will be higher from the water and will be running that much higher in the water column. The farther your lines are from the boat when running inline boards, the more extreme the changes in speed and depth when you're turning.