I have never caught a muskie in the prop wash, but I have been with other members , when it has happened. I look at this way - No one in his right mind would troll in and around standing timber,one would cast. so the third line offers you a better chance, if you were to troll. Now if I were to allow dead sticking or dragging while you are casting -Would that be Fair. Some feel that, that would hurt the muskie, that the fish might swallow, the bait, and cause it to die. Although most good muskie hunters carry the right tools if that were to happen, casting or trolling