3-Way Rig or Bottom Bouncer

Which one do you guys use for a more lively bait action? This whole time I had the 3 way rig wrong, I though it settled at the bottom but only the sinker sits at the bottom, and I’m not talking about a catfish setup.
I do like the feel of the bottom bouncer in current.

I tie my 3-way rigs a little different than most.The dropper line to the weight only about four inches and the line back to lure or live bait about 20-24 inches. It seems like I get a better feel of whats going on under the water.

hmm..Thanks Mike, I’m thinking both setup gives off the same bait action. I use the bottom bouncer in heavier current but never thought of using a 3way that way.

I like the 3 way for less snaggy situations. Seems a BB doesn’t snag as easy a the single drop weight but with that being said it does have more resistance going through the water. So in fast current situations a three way is the way to go for me. But to your ? of best action both setups are essentially coming off the same thing, a swivel. The length of your leader to the lure, suppleness of the line, and using a snap or loop knot to connect the lure will determine action.

After using both, I’ve started cutting off the arm of the bottom bouncer and use the weighted leg as a sliding sinker. You’ll gain feel to the bait/lure since the weight is independent.

3 way, less hardware down there to spook.

I rig my 3 ways with 2 barrel swivels a lot of times and use a pencil weight on the dropper. Seems like the pencil weight doesn’t hang up as bad.

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I rig my 3 ways with 2 barrel swivels a lot of times and use a pencil weight on the dropper. Seems like the pencil weight doesn’t hang up as bad.

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Thanks guys, but are most of you trolling with this setup or will the 3way also work from shore as long as I reel in at every cast.

Best option I have found for casting from shore is a pencil weight with a little stiffer line to the bait. I took a regular bottom bouncer and cut the arm going back off then attached a 3-way to the left over eye on the bouncer to make it a pencil weight.

Stiffer line from the bouncer to the bait and slowing the line as it ends the cast and constant tension as it drops will help it from tangles. I run cranks, spinners, ringworms etc. this way when it calls for it. Hope that helps.

I have gotten away from using 3 way rigs for trolling unless there are a couple of people in the boat and I can fish 2 lines each. Then I run 3 ways on the front rods, and leadcore on the rear rods. When I have done this the lead out produces the 3 ways by at least 7:1.