Three Way Rigs ... Help ... tangles!!!

[Wallie]

I have tried fishing with three way swivel rigs recently ... but the line my hook and bait are on swings around often and tangles up around the three way swivel.

I have been fishing very slowly ... am I going to slow for this technique.

I had read lots about using three ways and bouncers for finesse situations but it sure doesn't work for three ways. Am I doing somthing wrong?????????????

[Colin]

On using Three-ways, make sure your dropper is shorter than your leader, shy away from running diving cranks,or heavy jigs on your leader also.
I don't use three-way swivels anymore I use 2 barrel swivels, I slide the first one up on the main line, tie the second one on,tie your dropper 6 to 12 inches long on the first swivel that slides up and down your main line. Your leader can be 3ft to whatever length you need tied to your second swivel.
Any questions mail me I'll try to help
Colin

[Chad]

Using this technique you do need to be moving 3/4 miles per hour or better unless you are in a river with current. If running spinners I would maybe switch to bouncers except in a river. The 3 way offers less resistance and works much better in a river then a bouncer.

My first thought was your dropper line was too long and/or leader too short. I usually use a 1' dropper and a 2-1/2 t0 3 foot leader when using 3 way.

[IaCraig]

Wallie, it's obvious but often times overlooked. Do not cast a 3-way or bottom bouncer at all, just drop it over the edge and slowly let it fall. Your movement should keep it untangled.

Happy Fishing
IaCraig

[daave]

Possible also that you had too much line out and the dropper and leader became tangled as they came close together

[Gary]

I started experimenting with the 3 way swivel and I find it frustrating with the lead and sinker lines getting tangled. To solve this I now use an arm from a pickeral rig. Just place the positioning beads and arm on your sinker line. Neat thing about this set up, is that you can adjust how high you want your bait line off the bottom by just slacking the line around the positioning beads and move accordingly.

[wngdamr]

Wallie, you are probably moving too slow. You can cast 3-ways; just don't cast double barrels.Experiment. If you are havind trouble keeping in contact with bottom you are either a bit too fast or need more weight.Once you get on to this very versitile rig try Dubuque rigging.Don't use rod holders with 3-ways.Pull upstream in rivers with a (lift-drop back)motion.Be ready for pickups on the drop back! Be ready for doubles on Dbq. rigs--happens a lot.I like 10# fireline or spiderwire to the swivel---mono for snells. Once bitten,you'll be hooked for good!

[EAGLE EYES]

Wallie, Don't worry you're not the only one who ever tangled up a three way. In my opinion three ways are not worth the trouble they cause. I don't use them anymore. I catch just as many eyes without them as I did with them. If not more without them. No more tangled up !#*#!#* mess!!!

[FJH1]

I love 3-ways and use them exclusively on certain bodies of water that lack constant bottom snags. I use 3-way swivels, not double barrel swivels. On my dropper line (usually about 12" long) I tie on a 1/16th ounce jig. On my trailer (usually 3' long) I snell on a Northland Fire-Eye hook. I creep around with these, at times I am barely moving at all. I use this set-up to around 12' deep and as shallow as 2.5'. If I am in shallow water (fishing from the bow), I let out enough line so that the rig is about 10 to 15' behind the transom. In deeper water I will fish it a little more vertical, maybe 5' behind the transom. Yes, I do get some tangles, but not many. For the most part (99% of the time) I am pulling these around using my bow mount, and as I said, I really creep along. It may take me 5 minutes plus to move 100', many times I move considerably slower, especially when I'm on nice fish. I use light line (6# Magnathin) for both my main line and rig lines. One thing, I do have to trim my main motor up so the prop is almost out of the water otherwise I get tangled in the prop on tighter turns. Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Jay]

Three way rigs dominate my trolling approach. Two foot dropper line fitted with a DEEP diving crank or minnow bait. Four to five foot leader line fitted with a LIGHT flutter spoon. If walleyes are around you'll know in a hurry. Eighty percent of my eyes come on the flutter. Do not cast this rig, drop it in the water at about 2mph and let out enough line so the diver barely bumps bottom, in 10 to 15 feet of water this approach is lethal.
Best of luck..

[JJW]

I used to have that problem,then a guide told me the trick was to let it down slowly.Now I seldom have the tangles I used to.Hope it helps
Great Fishing
JIM

[jeff reed]

Your the MAN Jay. A deep Diving Jr. tnunderstick on the dropper with a small Stinger spoon on the 5 foot trailer. What a WAY to GO.

[Jay]

To: Jeff Reed
Thanks for the compliment but everyone on this website is the proberbial "man". One thing to remember, a deep diving Jr thunderstick won't take you down as far as a standard deep diving thundstick due to the smaller lip. The flutter does add some upward resistance to your diving bait therefore to offset this troll with the smallest diameter line you can get away with. A superline (braid or fireline 6lb diam) works great but tie your three ways with mono, in case you snag you stand a better chance of snapping the mono rather than your rod. Tots, down deep rattlin fat raps, deep diving bomber long A's, deep diving thundersticks, risto raps, etc. All lures should be 3/8 ounce or larger to drive the rig down to where the big girls are hanging out. Let me know how you do!!!