3 Way Rigging Weight Questions

I know weight can vary due to current flow and depth.

How do you know what size weight to use, is there any rule of thumb to follow?

Curious to see what size weights guys use on the St. Croix during this time of year with lower current flow.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Starting point is 1 ounce per ten foot of water/depth and adjust from there.

Can you go to heavy, when guys handline they use 1-2 lbs of weight, You want to stay vertical correct?

Yeah if your want to use an extra heavy mag heavy musky rods to catch walleyes. You can up the size of your weights to a pound. But that’s a pain… Thus the hand line reel.

For trolling cranks, I frequently use 8oz weights. I see the weight as an attractor and don’t believe you can go too big in most situations. We often find that the heavier setups outperform the lighter setups by a big margin.

Are you running a drop sinker or a jig? There are many variables. Use what feels right depending mainly on the current. I like to get enough “float” to get the right distance from the boat but still maintain good contact with the bottom. If fish are inactive more weight lets you drag without too much action for them.

I very rarely ever run more than 4oz on the river when running a standard 3 way rig. I have a few 5 and 6 ouncers, but usually run 3s. For 3 way rigs, my goal is always to have the line at about a 45 degree angle. Once you get much over 5 oz, you’re really pushing the limits of most rods, unless you start using pool cues. Heavy weights for hand lining definitely have their places, and some people “Pole Line”, which is using super heavy rods in a similar way, but it’s much more physical work holding that rod out there with 1-2 lbs of weight on it.

I really appreciate the feedback.

bradl110 wrote:

Can you go to heavy, when guys handline they use 1-2 lbs of weight, You want to stay vertical correct?

45 degree angle is optimum. Less, and you can get hung-up.

FDR

Last Thursday we pulled these pigs from Rainy using 2.25 ounce bell sinkers in 15-20 FOW.