Tangled 3-way halibut rig

Tying my leaders with 40 lb line (instead of 30) cut down 90% of my tangles. At that thickness the line is so rigid that its way less tangle prone. Also, as others have said, the angle plays a role too. But the 40 lb line helps a lot. More abrasion resistance for those doormats too.

I am sure you are doing it correctly but make sure you are moving when you descend your 3-way rigs.

Paul

This is also huge. Pull line out with your drag loose instead of putting the reel in freespool to descend. Make sure you are moving.

Troll 40lb on the yak, 60lb on a power boat, keep it moving

They will eat a mondo smelt. My 2nd biggest ever came on a huge smelt.

One more tip, if you are using a flasher that spins (mainly the triangle ones) and a bait that spins make sure that they are spinning the same direction, otherwise you will get major tangles. The triangle flashers come in both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation depending on which mold they came out of.

They will eat a mondo smelt. My 2nd biggest ever came on a huge smelt.

One more tip, if you are using a flasher that spins (mainly the triangle ones) and a bait that spins make sure that they are spinning the same direction, otherwise you will get major tangles. The triangle flashers come in both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation depending on which mold they came out of.

Thank you for that piece of advice!  I was just about to try one of these flashers next time out and that makes perfect sense! 

I am sure you are doing it correctly but make sure you are moving when you descend your 3-way rigs.

Paul

This is probly the most important tip.  You don't need spreaders and such. Just get moving, take a good look at your rig spread out and working while it's near the surface then control your drop (Dont freespool it).  Line should be as vertical as possible when fishing/bouncing..  You gotta balance betewen too much weight vs too much scope.  keep moving

Bushy

this is part of why I run heavy weights. i like to keep the angles as perpendicular as i can, but if you have to let a lot of line out to get down, and the blowback pushes everything behind your the angle gets smaller and the weight and leader start to get closer.   if the leader twists, try a swivel halfway. it works very well. i use SD Jam knots.

+1

I like 12-16 oz of lead for halibut trolling. Vertical line = fewer tangles. I also like to use wire spreaders instead of 3-way swivels (Luhr Jenson wire trolling spreaders). The spreaders don't do much for you once your rig is lowered into the water and you're trolling (the heavy lead and the drag of your bait/lure handle that for you), but I find they make if much easier to avoid annoying tangles while your gear is out of the water, or while you've got a fish hanging.

I use premade - wire center or heavy mono rigs. I get the ones made for two hooks and cut off the bottom one - so the bait/ leader is close to the bottom but not on the bottom. They have 3-4" rigid arms which help keep the leader from drooping down onto the main line.. Cen Coast once told me (sorry Pat for exposing your secret) he uses a drinking straw at the line junction to help keep the leader from drooping. Plastic tubing would work well too. Push it over the three-way eyelet and maybe a quick blast of heat to shrink it around eyelet

I use these and love 'em.

https://poulsencascadetackle.com/product/super-spreader/

Those spreaders look great!  I've been using these, but when I run out I think i'll give those a try next: https://www.fishermanswarehouse.com/product/fish-tec-wire-spreaders  Specifically like how small they are, doesn't need to be huge. 

I've been trying to find a good bumper to use with it to the dodger, any suggestions on that?  Currently use heavy mono and it's ok, but I dont want to re-tie it on the water if I get a nick in it, would rather swap it out easily.

Had my first sail trolling experience last weekend and covered a lot of ground in Capitola on my AI. My 3-way rig using the small spreader bar never once got tangled, I am happy to say.  However I had tied my 8oz weight about 12" down from the spreader, and that was picking up a lot of kelp in some areas causing me to reset often.  I think  I will try it as short as possible next time, but was using the extra length to find the bottom and bring it up enough to do the occasional bounce.  If it's shorter, I worry that it will snag if I keep it too close to the bottom.  But I also am going to use 10oz next time, to reduce the amount of setback as well.  Would it be better to just use a sliding sinker thing and skip the spreader?  Wont be bouncing the bottom though, but hopefully avoid trolling up a salad on my line.

I increased my leader from 20 lb to 40lb and added a bead chain swivel. Not a single tangle. Thanks for the advice fellas and happy fishing!

Would it be better to just use a sliding sinker thing and skip the spreader?

That would be my recommendation.

Haven't had any problems using a 3-way swivel to a bead chain and like keeping moving on the drop, as many have said.

I've had to make new rigs on the water and gotten tangles if I omitted/forgot the bead chain.