tips on 3-way rigging

[walleyeking#8]

Well this is something I have never tried but have heard it can be effective. I was just wondering how some of you other great walleye fisherman do it. I bought some 3 way swivels today and thought I would try it tomorrow afternoon and evening. What times of the year is this rig most effective, how is this any different from using a bottom bouncer? Any helpful hints and tips would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[Guest]

You can use the three-way anytime of year in open water. You can use it for cranks,spinners or plain rigging. I like three-ways over the bouncer because I can find bottom better when needed and it wont roll or rock like a bouncer set up. I like the three-way rig for fishing deep say water over 20 feet with some wind and the bouncer rig for shallow water and less windy conditions.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[This message has been edited by Derek Johnston (edited 08-28-2003).]

[LuckyFish]

Right on the money Derek. I love using the 3-way with a spinner/crawler setup.When a fish hits I just fall back then sweep set the hook, seem to get more hookups this way.
Lucky

[Guest]

Lucky/ Our new spinners set to come out next spring will slove that problem...

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[Navigator]

Yep...yep...yep. I would agree with Derek on using 3-ways vs bottom bouncers when wanting to detect bottom content. It telegraphs it especially well when you use wire line. I would guess that using line such as "fireline" would work well too.

Also, bottom bouncers can be a hassle in windy situations..they tend to twist and loop around the leader. I use bottom bouncers in especially rocky-snag filled areas, with an extra long wire (18").

For the river, I use primarily 3 ways, whether it's pulling plugs or live bait.

Hey Derek...ever tied 3 ways with "a pair of choppers"? Heck, I'd give ummm...$17 to see that!! Nav

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Jon Navratil
Navigator Guide Service
www.naviguides.com
Serving Central MN rivers & lakes

[can it be luck?]

3 ways are great. Bottom bouncers are great. Each have there own applications. 3 ways are better designed for still or slowed down types of fishing. River fishing is probably where 3 ways shine, but troll fast with a 3 way and your prone to more tangles unless with heavy weights. If fishing at a continuos speeds of 1/2 to 1 1/2 mph the BB will run straight and tangle free. While the boat's in motion, you put that bottom bouncer down and the chances of that line tangling is slim to none. Feel of the bait is not so important, when your pole doubles up...FISH ON!!

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http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

[Borch]

Each has their own application. But I've found that many will have a preference for one or the other. Many of their applications do overlap.

I use bouncers a lot. I really like the cammingaction you get as the bouncer hits bottom. Causes the bait to pause, jerk...

I've had no problem with feeling bottom content with bouncers using spiderwire. No tangle problem either. Use a bait casting outfit and tangles are close to nonexistant.

I really like 3 ways for suspended fish. I can easily contact fish 4-6 ft off bottom by lengthening the dropper.

One thing I don't like about the 3 way is storing the longer dropper lines. What do you guys use to keep them from tangling?

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I bad day of fishing??? I honestly don't know what you're talking about!

[Navigator]

I don't use a long dropper on three ways. My length is any-where from 10" to 15" and I always use snaps so that I can fasten both leaders to the rod. Another trick is to spin the leader around the rod, especially before you place the rods in a locker.

The only time I find line twist and fouling with bottom bouncers is when the entire rig is out of the water and it's windy. I never have that problem with three ways. Nav

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Jon Navratil
Navigator Guide Service
www.naviguides.com
Serving Central MN rivers & lakes

[LuckyFish]

Derek, even though I've been tying my own spinners I'd like to get some more info on those spinners.
Lucky

[walleyeking#8]

Thanks everyone for the replies I'll take them all into consideration when I start fishing 3 ways which will be real real soon. I have fished bottom bouncers, pretty much all my life but have heard a lot of great things about 3 way rigging so I thought I'd better add it to my arsenal and I did. Thanks again and Good Fishing!

[Jim W]

Wait until you get on the Mississippi, that changes the whole ball of wax!!!

Isn't fishing, particularly walleye fishing, simply a HOOT!!!!

Jim W

[Guest]

Luckyfish, what's your e-mail?

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[This message has been edited by Derek Johnston (edited 09-03-2003).]

[can it be luck?]

This past weekend I fished Little bay De Noc, Escanaba MI. Saturday I hit the water late, around 6pm. With me I had my girlfriend and another couple whom never fished before. BOY, did I have my hands full!! Saturday evening was calm and beautiful, perfect for pulling crawler harness's. Four offshore planers with 3oz bouncers and crawlers and one long lined hot n tot. Fished a large 21-24' flat point surrounded by 40-60 FOW, the action was fast and furious. Driving, setting lines, baiting hooks, while watching the other lines kept me busy to say the least! Problem was that the majority of the migrant Lake Michigan fish were still on the main lake reefs. The PWT fished there a couple of weeks ago and most catch's were made south towards WI. as the walleyes are staging. However the recent cool weather had the smaller resident fish going crazy, and the perch we were catching ran from 12-14", HUGE! Two hours of fishing we put around 40 walleye and 50 perch in the boat. On Sunday it was windy and rough, 3-5' waves. The fish were scattered over the point. I drift fished using a drift sock to keep me sideways to the wind and slow my drift. Starting at the windward 40' edge I drifted across the point using BB/crawlers. Marking caught fish on GPS, I was able to eliminate some unproductive water, makeing for a smoother and quicker ride back to the start of the drift. There were times that all 4 hand held poles had fish on, lots of times! Smaller walleye 12-19" as well as those huge perch as fast as it took to get the bait down. Monday it was was just my friend and I, I needed a break from babysitting. With a dead calm day and just a couple of hours to fish I started to troll the point. In the calm water the fish weren't scattered, and most water was void of fish. The point was flat and held a couple of small rock piles comeing up 4' off the 21-24' bottom. The rock piles looked like they contained every fish on lake Michigan on them! My locater lit up like a Christmas tree! Upwards to a hundred fish on these tiny rock piles. Backtrolling/position fishing 2oz egg sinkers,barrel swivel,3'leader, and a crawler harness over the tops of these rocks would pruduce a fish within seconds of hitting bottom, mostly with little to no bait...... it was just plain crazy! I still can't get over the size of those perch. The walleye migration into LBD should start soon. Oct. and Nov. being the best. LBD, gives up some nice fish, many over the 10lb range. I hope I dont have to work this Saturday....I sure know where I'd like to be this weekend! Mark Hoffmann/can it be luck?

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http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

[This message has been edited by can it be luck? (edited 09-04-2003).]

[Bear_arm]

Thats a great story, glad you had such a good time!