Favorite 3-way setup in rivers?

[LaneLunder]

Hello walleye hunters. I have been fishing for walleyes in the spring in the Wisconsin, Rock, and Rainy rivers for years. A jig and minnow verticaly jigged has been the only method I have used. This spring I want to sharpen my skills 3-way rigging. I am curious as to what your favorite methods, and baits are.

what weight sinker, how long of a dropper and snell length, What are your favorite crank baits(colors, size)Do any of you use spinners. I would rather learn a few tips from you good anglers before I attempt, rather than to just get frustrated and tie on a jig.

Thanks.

"hard water sucks"

[Backwater Eddy]

Small jointed Rapala run from a 3 way and a 2' drop link trailing a 3-5' leader can be very good. Sassy Shads and 4' twisters also work well off 3-ways with or without a live bait scent option.

I plan on useing more spinners but in particular Mack's Smile blade's as they float and spin easily with very little forward movement.

I believe they will be deadly in areas were shiners are a prime forage. I am eager to use them early in the season for locating schools of pre-spawn walleye in rivers.

Backwater Eddy

“February is the month designed to teach people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” Garrison Keilor

[OLE]

A 1oz lead jig head any color tiped with extra large flat head, then about 18" up a 1-2ft leader with the smallest floating rapala or storm crank you can find in Light Blue and silver or in orange and gold. Trolled at no more than 2mph up stream. Deadly on the mississippi real early in the year, talking when the ice is flowing and before the hords of people get up here. Have used this with success below Prairie Du Sac dam. Smaller jig due to shallower water conditions. Depended on what holes you were fishing.

[Chad]

3 way tactics I like to use include phelps floaters, spinners, plain hook w/ bead, stick baits.

You should experiment with dropper length depending on fish mood. Current and speed will determine the proper weight needed. You should work these similar to a bottom bouncer. Dropping it back every couple of seconds to feel bottom. When you drop it back the rig colapses and the lure or bait flutters. It is just the ticket to cause a fish to strike.

[wood]

Last year I pulled two cranks,A jointed and the deepest crank I had.It worked great,I never had a problem. Keep your deep crank under 24"
Is there any one out there thats tried this

[Greatpla]

My favorite three way is the Dubuque rig. I use a 18" dropper with 5/8 fireball up to a 1oz jig, depending on the current, on the upper, I use a single hook snell with a fuzy grub body. Since I started using powerbait, I wouldn't be without it on the dropper. There have been times at Redwing that I have caught doubles on this rig. Hold your boat, (no anchors please), and work it vertical. Sometimes I substitute the single hook with a floating rap or thunder stick jr and drift. Depending on the mood, both produce. Keep it ver4tical.

[Bob G2]

Me, Pamela Anderson and Rebecca DeMorney.

[JimmyG]

Lots of different ways to 3-way but the easiest and most productive is a 2' drop using a 2-3oz pencil sinker (I fish mostly rivers) with a #11-#13 floatinf rapala, Blue or firetiger are real good colors. The pencil sinker work alot better than anything else as far as not getting snagged up all the time and the 2-3ox sinker weight keeps the 3-way on the bottom when trolling around.

[Steve_IA]

Does anybody use a bottom bouncer weight at the end of their dropper line?

[LaneLunder]

Thanks for the input, Underr what conditions do you rig vs. j ig? Any rules of thumb
Lane
Hard water sucks

[Backwater Eddy]

I use 3-ways to locate fish than I often change to a jig or casting a crank. They make a good search tool as you can cover a lot of ground in a short time.

Backwater Eddy

[GORD]

Try using a double barrel rig rather than the normal three way. This has been writen up in the in-fisherman many times. Method: use two small barrel swivels. slide one up your line. Tie the next one onto your line. You now have a sliding 3 way. The weight goes on a lighter (break away) drop line (as long as you like) that is tied to the sliding barrel swivel. Your presentation is connected to the the other barrel swivel that is tied to the end of your line.