The three-way rig puts the weight on its own short line so the bait can swim above the bottom while the sinker holds in current. Drift a minnow through a river hole in April, troll a floating stickbait over a rocky flat in June, or hold cut bait in a catfish run — the three-way handles all of it. It is a staple on the Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers.
What you need
- Three-way swivelSize 1–4
- Dropper line6–24" of lighter mono (breaks first) to a bell sinker
- SinkerBell or bank sinker, 1/2–3 oz depending on current
- Leader2–5 ft of 10–14 lb mono/fluoro to a hook, floating jig or stickbait
- Hook or lure#2–#4 octopus, floating jighead or shallow floating minnow bait
- Main line10–14 lb mono or 20 lb braid
How to tie the three-way rig
- Tie the main line to one eye of the three-way swivel.
- Tie the dropper line to the second eye and a bell sinker to its end. Make the dropper lighter than your leader so a snagged sinker breaks off and saves the rig.
- Tie the leader to the third eye, then tie on the hook or clip on the lure.
How to fish it
Lower until the sinker touches bottom, then hold it there or let it drift with the current, lifting every few seconds to walk it downstream. Trolling, let out line until the sinker ticks. Set the hook on any tap by sweeping the rod.
Tips
- A floating jighead or a floating stickbait on a 3–4 ft leader keeps the bait above snags.
- Use a lighter dropper line — 6 lb below a 10 lb leader — to lose only the sinker.
Common mistakes
- A dropper too long in current; the sinker swings and tangles the leader.