Trolling Crankbaits with 3 way swivel

[Bud]

What kind of sinkers are used on a 3 way swivel when trolling crankbaits? And is there a rule of thumb for how much weight per depth of water? Thanks, Bud

[Rost]

Typically people will use bell sinkers with a three way trolling set up. The weight you'll need will depend on how deep and how fast you'll be trolling. Use just enough weight so that you can maintain bottom contact.

Stick baits are usually the cranks that work well for this.

Good Luck!

[gunflint]

I do it a little different. I use an egg sinker with a small split shot cliped on below it. That way if it snags the split shot lets go and all I have to do is reel in and put on new sinkers instead of wasting time trying to save the whole rig.

[Rost]

That sounds better than my way GF. I might try that someday.

[PerchJerker]

I use bell sinkers, preferably the "catfish" style with a metal loop on the top. On my dropper line I use a snap so it's easy to change weights when needed. And for my dropper line I use lighter line than the rest of my rig so if I have to break out of snags I only lose the weight.

[croixeyes]

When fishing with a threeway rig the general rule of thumb is to troll at at a forty five degree angle with your baits.This however is not always the way i approach 3ways.I prefer a much more vertical method so my sinker weight is usually between 5 and 10 ounces,almost a mini downrigger approach.The weight used for threeways is determined by speed of your troll,speed of current if any,and depth.In general Id say people using 3ways rigs arent worried about spooking fish.

[Bud]

Hi Croixeyes. If you fish vertically with a 3 way rig, isn't your weight line going to be much shorter than someone fishing at a 45 degree angle. Just to keep your bait close to bottom? I saw where someone said the average 3 way rig would have a 12 foot weight line with a 6 foot lure line. ??

[croixeyes]

Bud...I am,most of the time running a shorter dropper weight line and longer line to the crankbait.This is because,most of the baits I 3way rig are shallow running baits.Ive never seen anyone use a longer drop weight line than the bait line.

[gunflint]

My weight line is usually between 18 to 36 inches. If I need anything shorter than that, I'll go to a bottom bouncer. The business end of the rig for me is somewhere between 3 and 6 feet.

[fish2live]

does anyone run a jig and minnow on the drop line? i've heard of people doing this but, would be hard to fish wingdams this way. also i hear that 75% or better of the fish will come on the jig. anyone have any experience with a setup like this?

[Willy]

Usually guys use the jig for the dropper and then a minnow on the other line. It is called a dubuque rig. Although I don't see why you couldn't use a crank instead of hook and minnow.

[gunflint]

It's not legal in the inland waters of Minnesota. It's considered 2 lures. Maybe someday.

[CorynTracySellHomes]

It is Legal and very effective on the Mississippi River!

Cory Frantzick

[danlk]

A KILLER 3WAY RIG .A HEAVY JIG ON DROPPER AND A FLOATING JIG HEAD OFF THE BACK ITS A GREAT RIG TO USE. SO MANY RIGS SO LITTLE TIME. DLK.

[Swimmer]

On some old show I remember Al Lindner say that the dropper weight dragging the bottom scared more fish away than pulling the weight a few inches off the bottom so that a trail of silt was not created. Seems to me though that the silt and the noise of a bottom-dragging weight might attract the fish? Probably depends on the time of year/lake/species...

Anybody pull the weight off the bottom when 3-waying?

[PerchJerker]

Don't drag your weight on the bottom, whether you're using a 3-way rig or a slip sinker or a bottom bouncer. Stay close to the bottom - bump it occasionally to stay in contact with it, maybe even let it rest on the bottom - but don't drag your weight across it.

[Bud]

I just watched Hot Bite or Next Bite on TV. Mr Parsons was using a heavy sinker shaped and painted like a fish. An eye for tying line on both ends of the fish looking sinker. One line to the pole and the other short line 6' or so going to a night crawler harness or spinner. He said the sinker attracts the fish and they hit the crawler/minnow. Said he talked Bass Pro into making the sinkers. Could have been Cabelas though, not sure. Maybe someone else saw the show tonight..Probably expensive sinkers AYE