More Ways to Three-Way

Rivers With An Attitude—If three-way rigging is at least semi-finesseful, then polelining—it’s hulking mutant offspring—would seem to be all brawn and no brain. Don’t be fooled. There’s a dose of beauty beneath its thick skin.

Polelining is an evolution of tactics, basically a cross between three-way rigging and the handlining technique applied by Detroit River anglers. For those who haven’t experienced it, handlining incorporates a handheld wire cable, spooled on a gunwale-mounted automatic retractable reel. Down at the business end, a 1- to 11⁄4-pound weight thumps the bottom as you lift-drop along, proceeding slowly upcurrent into the strong flow. A few feet up from the incredibly hulking weight, a series of several long 25- to 60-pound-test monofilament leaders attach to a prefab plastic-coated wire “shank” joining the cable to the weight. The shank features several attachment points, one above the other, to attach leaders, spaced to avoid snags. Leaders extend from as little as 4 to 5 feet to as much as 30 feet behind the shank and cable, each trailing a wobbling crankbait in the current.

The entire concept seems spawned in some cruel nightmare—especially when you consider that you must fight big walleyes hand-over-hand to within netting distance. But the fact is, it’s incredibly effective in swift, muddy water that shuts off a jig bite, but where walleyes still fall prey to wobbling baits presented slowly and precisely, creeping upstream along current breaks.

Basically, polelining is a hybrid version, incorporating a stiff rod and casting reel of muskielike proportions, 30- to 80-pound-test superbraid or heavy monofilament, and perhaps a 6- or 8-ounce sinker (heavier for swift current). To attach multiple leaders to the main line, anglers have the option of either a prefab wireshank available at Detroit area tackle shops or two three-way swivels rather than just one tied into the main line, one a few feet above the other. From these attachment points, two leaders—the top one typically two to three times longer than the bottom one—extend back to wobbling minnow-imitating crankbaits. The difference in leader length permits two lures to be spaced far enough apart to avoid tangling, with the rear lure pretty much following the path of the lead lure.

In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail pro Bill Ortiz is one of several touring walleye pros who has adopted the polelining technique for use elsewhere. The tactic has been a factor in several tournaments, such as muddy water conditions on the Mississippi, tailrace fishing on the Missouri, and elsewhere. “Polelining’s main advantage is it’s ability to cover water to locate and trigger walleyes and sauger in dirty water conditions where fish don’t want to respond to traditional tactics like finesse jigging,” Ortiz says. “But surprisingly, you can whack fish pretty good by inching several crankbaits along, stopping in key areas to let them wiggle in the current and dance in the fish’s faces. The tackle’s a bit on the brutish side due to the heavy sinker, but it works just fine for fighting walleyes. At times, it works better than anything else. We’ve caught fish in muddy water where you’d swear nothing was biting. Well, even if they’re not biting, they’re still triggerable, which is just as good.”

Three-ways and their many variations are perhaps the most underused and underappreciated riggings among the angling masses, but an increasingly popular and versatile option among walleye touring pros. Something initially appearing as simple as hook, line, and sinker isn’t. As the general public catches on to the widespread effectiveness of three-way rigs, they’ll start catching more fish as well—especially walleyes.