3-Way Line

O.K. we have discussion going on 3-way rods and weights below. How about the line to the swivel? What do you 3-wayers prefer? mono or braided for live bait and most importantly WHY???

GOM,

I prefer to use the super lines when 3-waying. I like to be able to feel what is going on at all times. This will also allow you to stay down with smaller weights. I beleive this will help you catch more fish. The super lines will also help set the hook for you when messing around in the boat or fishing with an inexperienced angler.

For line on the dopper and leaders I like to run 8lb to 12lb test mono. Trilene XT works great. XT is a stiffer line, it will help eliminate line twist and lots of other tangles that can be had with 3-ways.

GOM

I run fireline down to my 3-way swivels as well. I feel I have a much better feel for light biters and I rarely break the line at the 3-way… which saves my from tying multiple knots.

This past season was my first using fireline as my main line for 3-ways. I use to use XT. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.

Dustin and James, Just curious, do you tie the main line directly to the 3-way swivel, or do you connect with a snap or snap swivel?

I tie directly with a palomar knot because I have rods that I devote purely to pulling 3-ways..

If a guy uses the same rod for both rigging and trolling cranks, go with a snap to the 3-way swivel. It won’t cause you any problems and when you want to switch techniques, from 3-ways to cranks, all you do is un-snap the 3-way and wrap it up neatly somewhere and then snap on a plug. No wasted time and leaves you with options.

Good question…

Snaps are what I use too.

thanks

Herb,

I have done it with a snap when I want to rig up a rod real quick that I have been trolling cranks with or another rod that I use for casting cranks and so on. This is an easy way to change set up’s quickly if you have the leaders pre tied and ready to fish. This is a good idea if you are trying to pattern fish, trying different length leaders/droppers and do not want to retie. When, and if I figure them out, I will usually just tie direct. Just one less thing in the way of you and the fish to increase your chances.

I just go with a good snap like the duo-lock. I’m constantly changing pre tied 3-way rigs. I do use a small snap swivel at the end of my dropper because sometimes I’ll change jig colors or just go to a pencil weight.

Dustin and James,

I like the idea of using fireline for sensitivity and strength, but does this work against you sometimes. If the rods are in the rodholder when you are slow trolling bait, will the fish feel the weight of the sinker and spit the bait out. Would mono on the other hand have some stretch and possibly help this matter? Just curious on your thoughts.

Im not Dustin or James… but the experience Ive had with this sort of thing has shown me that if you have a “soft” rod tip then its not a problem… if you dont have much flex in that tip though I “feel” like Ive had a few times when fish were spitting it….. it all comes down to just how finicky the fish are… and sometimes you have to change tactics accordingly… if they are really off… then its usually best to be holding the rod.. when they pick it up drop the rod tip back so they dont sense it…… thats my 2 cents worth…. though I certainly look forward to other input on this…..

This is the logical next question… glad you asked it.

I run two different model rods when rigging. The one I hold is a faster action, more sensitive rod. A 6′ 6″ St. Croix Legend Elite. The rods in the holders, and the rods I give customers, are 7′ 6″ St. Croix Tidemaster rods….. much slower action. These Tidemaster rods give quite a bit in the holder or in the hands of inexperienced fishermen so the fireline still remains an asset and not a hinderence. Using the wrong rod in that situation, like that Legend Elite, would cause some problems with missed fish.

Just a note… I run two rods when I fish… like most of you do. The rod I hold catches more fish…. but that flexible Tidemaster in the rod holder catches the vast majority of the fish over 25″ in my boat. It may be the “dumb” rod, but it sure is set up right to catch big fish. Don’t know what it is about the action or the way the rod gives a bit when the fish first grabs the bait, but I always seem to get a real good hook set in a good spot in the fishes mouth. Basically that dumb rod performed well enough to convince me to switch my handheld rod over to the Tidemaster this season to see if I can capitalize on an obviously good thing.

Have you tried the fireline yet and if so, what were your findings?

James and RiverEyes pretty much summed it up for you GOM.

These three way posts are great! Lots of good questions, and great answers. I am going to be talking in depth on the 18th on three way rigging as part of my high water/early Spring techniques with James. We will have plenty of hands on stuff with this one, and less overhead stuff! We won’t be handing out tooth picks at the doors for the eye lids! I will have multiple rigged setups, as well as many quick change ideas for changes on the fly. With high water, and fast currents, quick change systems are a must!

Tuck

when longlining cranks can anyone tell a big difference in the way a crank runs when tied with a snap or straight to it? My cranks always seem to run better when the line is tied straight to the crank.

That new stren sensitivity line works good for that i like that a lot and that is what i use

fireflick,

Yeah, I have noticed the difference! I personally like to use a snap but you have to watch out for which ones you use. A lot of snaps on the market today are prety bulky and will make a good crank run as if it were fouled. The trick is to find the lightest wire snap you can get your hands on. Cotton Cordel has a good light wire snap on the market as we speak and can be found at most reatil stores that carry fishing tackle.

I know a lot of guys that do not use snaps espeacilly when they are casting cranks. I am just a creature of habit and find it hard to not tie on the snap. I like being able to switch as often as possible and not retie. It all comes down to one thing “confidence” do what ever feels right.

i like fireline it has great sensitivity and strength. um the fireline i think is alot better than all other braideds cause it can be strong at small diameters.i remember when we first started useing braided we used spiderwire and it seemed to tangle easy and if we snaged it seemed really hard to break…..thats just my 2 cents