Side planers are a big deal on the Salmon river. Some folks set them out and sit in their campers etc for days on end, 24/7 One thing that comes to mind is that they don't get the usual and accustomed amount of " Love" from boaters that bankies that are actually working a hole or run get. Its like this, if a guy runs a side planer out into the middle of the river and then retires into his camper or whatever, its considered fair game to row up and fish all around it, above it, below it, whatever. If the guy is out on the bank actually watching his rod then he gets the same amount of room that you would expect from anyone. Can't tell you how many times we have rowed into one of the better runs and start fishing it, and have some dude come down to the river and exclaim " can't you see my side planer out there???" You bet I can but I don't see you anywhere... As for your questions, you bet they work, they really work when the fish are actively moving upriver. 3ft is way to short for your leader, I would at least double that