3 way with cranks

Anyone ever pull shallow cranks on a 3 way against current in a large river? Just looking for a few tips



Thanks

[USArmy11]

I have pulled them on the St Croix in MN during the fall. Not much to explain though,hook up your main line to the 3 way a drop weight to one and a leader line with the crank on the other. I like to run about 1ft on the weight and about 3-4ft on the crank.

[rangerman1253]

I have had better luck pulling rapalas and such on a 4 foot leader behind a 4 ounce bouncer than a 3way. It was killer below Oahe. I generally use three ways for lake settings. Thats just me though...

[TomP.]

I use 3-ways all year following drop offs with a 4 ounce weight I can move up and down the drop at a good clip not wasting time and covering water. I will run shallow diving crank baits, slowdeath or spinners. I am not much of one to waste time when I am marking fish and not getting bit, I will move on to find a more active group. I have had to increase the line length to the weight when fish are holding up off the bottom as much as four feet to keep baits above the fish. Rivers and the end of wing dams with three ways I can cover the deep ends very quickly and precisely. I very seldom run less then 3 ounces.

[ptm]

What speed do you normally pull a 3-way with a shallow crank and do you have issues with the crank bashing the bottom or is that the preferred outcome?

[rangerman1253]

Your crank should not be touching bottom....I run thundersticks, original rapalas and floating rogues around 1.0-1.3....From my experience you want to pull them about the same speed you would a crawler harness.

I have had guys in my boat clean house, outfish 4 to 1---me pulling a harness and them a 3 way with crank.

Definitely want to run a floater/diver...

It can be dynamite.

[black white face]

a little tip when runnig 3 ways- use a light drop line to the sinker of your choice- like 4 pound test or so, that way when you hook up to rock bass or tree bass; you break the "cheap" part of your rigging; well of course if you hook the crank- that sucks 4 you.

[TomP.]

Originally Posted by ptm

What speed do you normally pull a 3-way with a shallow crank and do you have issues with the crank bashing the bottom or is that the preferred outcome?

I vary my speed depending on crank some cranks do not have any action below 1mph. If I have the need to move slower I will usually run Bomber Long As. I will run speeds up to 3-4 mph if that is what the fish want.
My average seems to be 1.5 -2.8 mph. Banging bottom is a variable some days it`s the ticket some days not, let the fish tell you.