I have heard a lot about 3 way rigging and was wondering if anyone had any diagrams. I used this method this morning and only had 1 hit. I lost a nice eye near the boat. That was the only hit I had on that. I was also jig trolling and had a couple of hits on that. I know a lot of this is trial and error but would like a few tips. Thanks Matt
Go to the home page and watch the video with Jason H in it, first video on the left right below where it says “fishing Videos” 
That video has a good, standard recipe for the 3-way rig. If you read some of the recent reports from Marty Hahn, you can pick up a few additional tidbits from a proven master of the technique. Let us know if you have any specific questions, and we’ll get them handled for you!
I am fishing a lake that is fed through a canal system. I fished the mouth of the canal just slow trolling up as far as I could go, and than have the current pull me back down. I will try using a smaller rapala tomorrow when I go out. Today I was using a #11.
Thanks for all of the tips.
When you turn around and head downstream, try to keep your speed just a touch faster than the current to give those baits a bit of wiggle.
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I have heard a lot about 3 way rigging and was wondering if anyone had any diagrams. I used this method this morning and only had 1 hit. I lost a nice eye near the boat. That was the only hit I had on that. I was also jig trolling and had a couple of hits on that. I know a lot of this is trial and error but would like a few tips. Thanks Matt
Here’s a basic 3-way and crank set up.
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I have heard a lot about 3 way rigging and was wondering if anyone had any diagrams. I used this method this morning and only had 1 hit. I lost a nice eye near the boat. That was the only hit I had on that. I was also jig trolling and had a couple of hits on that. I know a lot of this is trial and error but would like a few tips. Thanks Matt
And the “double rap.”
Note – Some guys leave the hook on the back of the front rap when they tie on the line leading back to the second rap. Others remove it. And the amount of line between the bait is HIGHLY adjustable to suit personal preference and the style of baits being used.
Wow, thanks James. That’s a very cool diagram that I think might be getting some use in my boat, that’s for sure. Never thought of the double rap.
I know a lot of these applications are being used in rivers; areas where there’s current. Tell me, how well do they work in lakes and reservoirs where there’s not much current (compared to a river system)? I think I might like to try something like this in some of our local reservoirs.
What rods to you guys find most effective? It looks like Jason was using some Legends, but I was wondering if you use more trolling rods or bottom bouncing rods for three way trolling.
I use two different length rods for 3-waying. On the outside, I run 10’6″ St Croix Wild Rrivers (medium-moderate) and on the inside I run 7’6″ St Croix Legend Tournament “heavy bouncer” rods.
The different rod lengths minimize tangles. The wild rivers are very forgiving and are great for getting baits out of snags by pointing the long rod tip straight into the air. The shorter inside rods are very comfortable for hand-holding, allowing the angler to impart additional action to the presentation by pumping the baits forward every once in a while.
The Wild Rivers have become widely used rods in my collection. I use them for long-lining, pulling boards, pulling spinners/bouncers, pulling lead (they work great for that, as I discovered this year on the tournament trail) and 3-waying on the river. I never leave the dock without them. And the price is right for a very versatile piece of equipment that gets used in a wide variety of trolling settings!
Thanks Jason.
I’ve been wanting to learn this technique for a couple of years and just started looking at equipment. My guess is it would be easier for my 5 year old to reel in a rap than drag jigs all day.
My 5-year old loves it! It’s a great way to get kids, and adults with limited experience, on the water and into fish!
All of these pics are from the past couple of falls, when friends and family have joined me for the 3-way/crank bite on the river. Back at it again this weekend!
Just curious, you guys use a lighter strenght line after the swivel?
Just thinking might be easier if you get snagged to the point you have to break the line.
Al
If you’re using the correct weight, at the correct speed, with the correct amount of line out….3-way rigging is a surprisingly low-snag technique.
Having said that, I did lose a lot of weights and baits as I refined my presentation of the 3-way rig. And once in a while, a rogue rockpile or brushpile, like the brush shown below with Humminbird’s new Down Imaging, try to claim a piece of the rig. I use 10 lb trilene XT for my dropper and my leader to the bait, and if one of those gets hopelessly snagged, that mono will break long before my braided main line does.
Whitetip showed me a great way to rig 3-ways if you have Zebra mussels like we do on the Mississippi. From the main line to the 3-way swivel run a peice of copolymer about 24 inches long. Since I run braid as my main line it does not take to Zebra mussels very well. They will cut braid in a heart beat. For me it has saved a bunch of three way rigs when running around rocks where Zebra`s are thick.
“””If you’re using the correct weight, at the correct speed, with the correct amount of line out….3-way rigging is a surprisingly low-snag technique.”””
Kinda like saying fishing is easy, just put the right bait in front of the right fish at the right time… 
Getting it right, usually something I haven’t quite got figured out completely yet.
Good thread, haven’t done any three ways yet, but hope to soon, have the rod and reel for it so its a start. 
Al
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Whitetip showed me a great way to rig 3-ways if you have Zebra mussels like we do on the Mississippi. From the main line to the 3-way swivel run a peice of copolymer about 24 inches long. Since I run braid as my main line it does not take to Zebra mussels very well. They will cut braid in a heart beat. For me it has saved a bunch of three way rigs when running around rocks where Zebra`s are thick.
Tom
You could also trying running Spiderwire Stealth as a main line. Nothing’s impervious to abrasion but I doubt I’ve ever lost a single three way setup to a zebra mussel in the entire time I’ve fished the river. It puts fireline and power pro to absolute shame in trolling applications with regards to strength, durability and abrasion resistance. In my boat it is on all my trolling / three way rigging rods. I leave the fireline for the spinning reels.
I’ve been playing with the stealth a bit this year on James’ recommendation and I agree it outshines PP in trolling applications. I still like PP better for catting applications but Stealth is nice smooth stuff for trolling.
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I’ve been playing with the stealth a bit this year on James’ recommendation and I agree it outshines PP in trolling applications. I still like PP better for catting applications but Stealth is nice smooth stuff for trolling.
The part I really like… the stuff is a better product for the troller and it is cheaper than both fireline and Power Pro.
More money for 
We use something like this in the slough but there we can replace the sinker with a 3/4 to 1 oz jig w/paddle tail. My wife is killer hitting doubles 
I like using 20# power pro as the mainline and to the cranks. I’ll lose the jig on mono but can live with that. The power pro will straighten out the hooks on the cranks but thats better then losing them. Bring a glove or it will cut right threw your skin when pulling out of a snag.
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