The three-way swivel rig is a simple, but versatile rig that can be used to fish a variety of natural and artifical baits in shallow to deep water. While primarily a trolling rig, it can also be used for drift fishing or fishing from an anchored boat in current. It is especially adept at targeting suspended fish in deep water.

A basic three-way swivel rig is made up of a three-way swivel attached to a main line, dropper line with a sinker weight, and leader line with hook. Alternatively, you can replace the three-way swivel with a t-turn swivel, ball bearing swivel or two barrel swivels.

The traditional three-way swivel has three arms that pivot around a small ring. Three-way swivels tend to bend or break. T-turn swivels, or “t” swivels, work well but can twist and jam. Ball bearing swivels are phenomenal. They’re durable, don’t twist, or jam. Using two barrel swivels to replace the 3-way swivel is another option for minimizing breaks and tangles.

One of the main reasons the 3-way swivel rig is so versatile is it’s ability to be fished at a variety of depths. Using a 1-2 oz sinker weight the rig can be fished in less than about 15′ of water. Replace the 1-2 oz weight with a 5-6 oz weight and now it can be fished down to a depth of 60 feet.

At shallower depths of 10′ to 15′ a light weight, light action rod will work great for trolling a 3-way swivel rig. When you start getting any deeper than 20′, a medium-heavy to heavy action rod with some backbone, with low diameter line, is required.

Basic Assembly and Setup

A basic three-way swivel rig starts with a 3/0 to 5/0 swivel. A 3/0 swivel will do the trick just fine, unless your fishing offshore in which case the large 5/0 is recommended. Again, the traditional swivel and be replaced with a t swivel, ball bearing swivel, or two barrerl swivels.

To each of the three eyes of the swivel is attached a main line, dropper line, and leader line. In a basic setup, the leader line of monofilament of fluorocarbon is between 24 and 36 inches. The dropper line of monofilament is 12 to 18 inches. At the end of the leader line is 1/0 to 5/0 hook with bait. At the tag end of the dropper line is attached a 1-5 oz tear drop, bell, bank or pyramid sinker.

Whatever lengths you choose for your leader and dropper lines, it’s important that the leader is longer than the dropper. This will avoid tangles and create a more natural presentation.

An easy and secure knot for attaching line to swivel, hook or weight is the improved clinch knot. Often the dropper line is attached to the sinker weight using a clasp swivel.

The three-way swivel rig can be used to fish a variety of natural and artificial baits from spoons, spinners, soft plastics, sticks baits and live baits. To improve catch rates by fishing two depths at the same time, the sinker weight can be replaced with 1-2 oz jig head tipped with a soft plastic, plug or natural bait.

Configuration Options

There are a variety of configurations that can be used to improve the effectiveness of a three-way rig based water conditions, fishing method and target species. These include:

1. Traditional three-way swivel rig with a bell sinker and stick bait.

2. Traditional three-way swivel rig with bell sinker and spoon lure.

3. Traditional three-way rig with bell sinker and minnow with line threaded through body so it stays on while trolling.

4. 3-way rig with deep diving crankbait and stick bait. Crankbait pulls the rig down when tolling.

5. Three-way swivel rig with stick bait on leader and a lead head jig tipped with a soft plastic attached to the dropper line. Ideal for fishing multiple depths simultaneously and in river fishing.

6. Three-way swivel rig with jig heads on leader and dropper lines. Jig head on dropper line must always be heavier than jig head on leader line. Tips jigs with natural live bait.

7. Three-way swivel rig with cork float attached to leader line. Suspends natural bait above the bottom. Good set up for drift fishing.

8. Three-way rig with a second hookless stick bait added to the leader line. Mimics a school of fish to attract more attention.

9. Three-way rig using a barrel swivel instead of a typical three-way swivel. Dropper line passes through the eye of the barrel swivel. A plastic bead, followed by a split-shot or bobber stop, are added to the tag end of the dropper line above the to prevent it from exiting the eye of the barrel swivel. The length of the dropper line is now adjustable.