3 way vs bottom bouncers

Quick question I hear alot about three way trolling on the river. Is there a big difference or advantage using a three way rig as opposed to bottom bouncers? Thanks

I greatly prefer the 3-way with bell sinker myself.

Here’s a previous thread on the subject.

3-ways vs. bottom bouncers

There is some great info in that thread. Thanks for the post.

OK, you experts. I’m new to this and a couple of times I have brought up the 3 way with the sinker line wrapped around the crankbait line about 50 times. I use about 6′ of Power Pro for the crank and 18″ of mono for the 3 oz. bell. I drop it slowly so it doesn’t tangle there. Too much line out?

Sounds like the whole contraption was dragging along the bottom. Too much line out to a 3-way rig, when fishing crankbaits, is a no-no. Increase the weight used. The more I fish 3-ways and the more efficient I get using them with crankbaits the heavier I seem to go with the bell sinker. 4 – 5 ounces is the bottom end for me.

Thanks James thats some great info

Thank you, James, that should help.

James, what length pool cue are you using and are you taping or hose clamping the reel on?
Just kidding, but it sounds like you’re leaning more towards the ‘pole lining’ method without the multiple shanks as opposed to handlining.
Another difference would be using weights by the pound in handlining.

Actually even the long 10’6″ wild river rods will fish 8 oz. weights with ease… actually they took over as my rod of choice for pulling heavy 3-ways this spring. For those unaccustomed to fishing heavier than 3oz. the talk of 6 – 8 oz. weights is likely a little “off-putting.” To be honest there’s juts not much of a difference in the way the rod “feels” if you’re fishing a 5 oz. or an 8 oz. weight but the difference in the way the rigs fish in deep water or heavy current is marked. Up here on pool 4 its common for guys to be using 4+ oz. of weight. Elsewhere on the river it seems to be done infrequently although I do know of some exceptional 3-wayers from the LaCrosse area (Bear, you listening?) that fish heavy all the time and clean house.

Check these weights out. I have been using them for over a year now and really like them. They are made by one of our own.

Click Here

Yup… those are the ones I like as well.

James, what type of reel do you run on your wild river trolling rods?

I’d have to agree with James. The heavier the better when draggin plugs. I go with 5 ounces most situations. I go a little lighter with bait (2-3 ounces).

A couple of questions:

1) How are you guys rigging your crawlers on the 3-ways? I’ve done it with cranks, but never with bait unless I was dragging a spinner rig. Are you putting them behind a blade or not? Thanks!

2) James: in the other thread you said, “Most of our rigging is in fairly shallow water with long lines.” Am I misunderstanding or are you really running 3-ways on long lines behind the boat? I haven’t ever fished them behind the boat at more than a 45 degree angle, if that.

3) Another one for James: Is that 10’6″ the medium or medium-light weight rod? Do you use them for regular long-lining and boards? I’m in the market for a couple of line-counter setups, but I want something fairly versatile. Also, if you’re long-lining with them, are these the rods you use on Mille Lacs in the fall?

Thanks for all the info!

John

I rig my crawlers on a plain aberdeen hook or behind a phelps style floater.

We do indeed run long lines on 3-ways in shallow water. Line angle in this situation does mean anything in that application.

That wildriver rod is a medium. I don’t really care for the ML wildriver rod… its a buggy whip. And yes, I do use those rods, along with 7’6″ tidemaster rods, up on the pond.

My 3 way rods are also trolling rods so my reels are diawa linecounters.

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A couple of questions:

1) How are you guys rigging your crawlers on the 3-ways? I’ve done it with cranks, but never with bait unless I was dragging a spinner rig. Are you putting them behind a blade or not? Thanks!

2) James: in the other thread you said, “Most of our rigging is in fairly shallow water with long lines.” Am I misunderstanding or are you really running 3-ways on long lines behind the boat? I haven’t ever fished them behind the boat at more than a 45 degree angle, if that.

3) Another one for James: Is that 10’6″ the medium or medium-light weight rod? Do you use them for regular long-lining and boards? I’m in the market for a couple of line-counter setups, but I want something fairly versatile. Also, if you’re long-lining with them, are these the rods you use on Mille Lacs in the fall?

Thanks for all the info!

John

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I’d just like to point out that when I’m talking using 4+ oz. weights that I’m talking about pulling 3-ways and stickbaits… not livebait. I usually stay 2 oz. or less when fishing the livebait.

Long-lining 3-ways must be similar to using a snap weight… I love the variety in techniques you guys use!

Thanks for answering my pointed questions. VERY good information, in my opinion.

John