bigbassctchr101

Rockfish do this as well. I'd really like to know if a bass COULD though. I can't really see it happening to a largemouth, but i've had hold of some pretty mean smallmouth that may push the limits. As far as matching the hatch... We have a bunch of willows in our lake that the mayflies and other insects will lay eggs and (nest??) in. The bass would lay around them and munch on the flies. So we would take a long pole and bump and shake them trees so all the bugs fell in the water and throw a pop r or something in and just wait lol I know thats not matching the hatch. More like mimicking. But, at least thats closer to the trouth terminology cuz of the insects instead of fish or crustaceans

So, apparently some people like it and some don't lol. I agree that it is a specific tool, with a lot of other potential that many people haven't yet found. And, I have no problem with them banning it in the Elites and Classic (1. because it doesn't effect me like J. Francho said 2. who should really care enough to argue it all day long if they aren't actually fishing the classic or elites?) It would have been awesome to see what them guys could have caught on the rigs because it has the ability to catch fish that do not relate to much cover or many other things people key on when fishing. On the other hand I think it may eventually hurt impact the fisheries in some way. Not because of fish kills, or fish being hooked, etc... but really because more people will see it, buy it, and use it. The striper fishermen have been using, and catching BASS on it for years and years and I haven't seen an uproar of that yet? Guys were fishing this thing for an entire summer before the publicity hit it. Noone complained about seeing massive amounts of dead fish, or fish with hook scars all over them at weigh in. The media made this thing the bad guy. And everyone thinking they had to have one and use it. I do not think there was one thing wrong with it if it followed states laws. I do NOT think it would be right for a state to amend laws because of this lure, but thats not my call. For the people thats bashing it--- Why? Have even half of you tried it? If you have, I would bet that over 85% did not slay fish on it and did not catch ANY doubles. So what is your bases for not liking it if it follows laws, and why weren't you complaining about it the last 10 or more years that striper fisherman have used it? And, are you afraid that someone is going to go pitch this in your favorite flipping bush, or finese it along your designated piece of rip rap bank? Of the people that have tried it, how many have caught doubles, triples. etc?? I've used it probably 18 or so outings, and had 1 good day. 12 keepers. No doubles. Only one time were there multiple hooks involved on one fish...and that was a 14" smallmouth that killed two baits in one bite and had 2 hooks in the mouth...not his sides! The other times, I caught a couple fish on it...big fish ;but not a lot of fish. And I would consider myself to be an average or above average fisherman. I would be let down to think that the Elite guys are being so dramatic over this (because I really don't think they mind it nearly as much as most of you people do). The Elite guys didn't use it before, and half of them wouldn't have used it anyway. So, nothing has really changed for them. But why are so many people against change and new innovations? There are many more things out there that could be worse than the A-rig. (I can drive by a point or a brushpile and watch my bait go down to the fish and watch the fish eat it LIKE A VIDEO GAME, and people have more of a problem with a stupid fishing lure than a $2500 sonar) Whats wrong with this picture lol I have heard some good cons and reasons why this bait should not be used for tournament and recreational fishermen. But most of them just sound like they're afraid to spend time and learn how to fish it. I'd have much more respect for someone that just flat out don't like and don't wanna use it just cause.... There's no need to make up silly excuses and reasons that could hold true about other baits that you're already using ==> Double/triple flukes? (are you afraid the shiny 200lb wire will get more bites?), Double/triple fish catches? (while this happens more often on the a-rig, it doesn't happen that much, we are just hearing about it all the time now, and its happened with other lures, Tim Horton actually had this happen multiple times in a tournament on a bomber), over fishing? (if you don't like it, don't use it, that solves 30% of fishermen, people that bought it but can't/won't figure out how to fish it effectively is another 50%, the other 20% have been smokin your tails before the rig came out anyway) Here's an experiment--Someone use only this rig the whole year and compare it with someone using other methods and see who catches more fish at the end of that year!

I am pretty sure it is for the season, along with the classic. But only the elite series season.

I'm using an APR 8ft swimbait rod (Striper Series), 200E7 with 65lb power pro. Its doing well right now with one 1/2ounce head in the middle and 1/8ounce heads all around on the 5 rig. I'll probably be using a 3/8 head and 2 1/4 heads on the 3 rig. Once I need to start throwing it in deeper water, i'll probably add a little more weight to the heads to keep it down and increase the braid to 80lb. I've been throwing a longer swimbait on the middle wire, and thats usually where my hookups are. Still have a lot of experimenting myself though.

The front runner has also been out for years and years. And I'm sure that someone has caught a fish on the front runner, front hook of crankbait and back hook of crankbait all at one time. I don't personally think there is anything wrong with 5 hooks on the bait. Don't think there is anything wrong with 3, or 2. and I personally use it with 1. I think peoples biggest issue is they may be afriad of it, or afraid they won't be able to learn it as good as someone else and that the person beating them will be able to catch fish like they see on youtube or FLW. Simple fact is, it just don't pan out to happen that good everyday. If people have seen the days that we've caught fish every cast on a Spro Deep Diver, or DD22 or have watched my buddies have 5 minute limits on Gunfish, then I think they'd probably want them baits just as bad as the A-rig. People just need to learn that its a tool and it can be used in certain conditions that make it unbelievable.

My buddy caught a 45lb striper on a 3 arm A-rig this past weekend. Like its been said...I think it will depend a lot upon the maker and components used and how they are put together.

I'm all for the Alabama rig... But, there was a write up in Bassmaster magazine about a guy catching 19lbs of smallies on one cast. Think you can search youtube and he shows how he done it. Pretty cool. But still yet, no avg Joe could drop that thing off a dock and do that without knowing where the fish are.

I've heard the same about the bigger fish spawning first as well. I wouldn't say they always spawn first, but i've experienced that there definitely is a good class of big fish that do like to spawn earlier than the "typical" class. Also may be why a lot of great anglers around here like to start fishing humps and ledges LONG before the spawn is over. The winners of the Douglas BASS Open in 2011 had been catching the same schools in the same locations for almost 3 months before the Open came. Thier catches went from almost 30lb limits and started a downward trend as time went on. I've also found that, although people say they may spawn deeper, in the lakes here in east Tennessee, the water is on the rise during that time of year. So, while a fish may start on day one, by day 3 she may be 5ft deeper than her original 6ft starting place. These fish won't leave the bed just because the sun isn't penetrating as good. Same holds true with our smallmouth that will spawn even earlier and usually even deeper. You may end up bed fishing in 20ft of water on a lake that isn't even considered to be clear at its clearest of times. As far as the OP and cranking in the winter time...I like to throw big baits in the winter. Bigger, slower bait, gives a good sized bass a meal worth moving for. But, if you could deadstick a crankbait, thats what this would be called. Deep suspending baits moved slowly and stopped often have worked good for me in the past though. More often than not though a silver buddy would be a better choice if you want to move a little more than jig fishing.

I agree with this one! Works great!

I love the Spro's as well. Way better than the Lucky Craft's. But they LC's do have your time and place. I just wish the Spro's came in a couple of the DD22 colors. They are awesome baits.

I tried using a slower geared reel for the A-rig..E5. Works nice if your throwin in 10-20ft all day. But if your throwin around points/rocks/stumps, etc... you have to reel too fast to keep the rig off the bottom. I'm now using the E7 and think its MUCH better. My opinion on the drag-pull of the bait is its just pure weight, not really a resistance type of drag. So it may feel like pullin a deep diver, but the force on the reel doesn't seem to be nearly as bad. I'd rather have a 7.1:1 reel to punch and flip with too. I dont think the low geared winch effect is needed much, even when dragging in grass.

I've fished in tournaments that I have shared a "hole" with a couple boats. I knew the guys, and I had seen them there in practice. So it was not a problem. In the tournament we were all within casting distance of each other doing figure eights around the structured point. Reminded me a lot of this past years BASSMASTER classic, except with a lot more pride to fish for in our tournament lol. I don't mind if I am passing someone else going down the bank, if I start at one dock on one end and the other guy was already working on the opposite end, I will go around him and give me a couple docks between us. Or, i will start behind him. If I am fishing open water or a point where it is obvious that the boat will need to be moved around to successfully work the area over good, I would cast in their direction enough to where the point can be made clear. In no way would I ever cast at them or intent for any hurt. I think the only time I ever casted at a person was with a DD22 past his ear while he was bad boating me in a BFL lol jk. I think its more important to show respect to people. In some cases, it may even be important to explain to them that you were fishing a hole and they shouldn't be imposing on you. (Some idiots just don't know)

I know a guy that fishes silver buddies (blade baits) like this a lot. Works pretty well for him at times.

In TN you can't do that, so you may want to check state law. Here you can use ONLY 3 with all having hooks. Or 5 baits with 1 having a hook. If you use 3 with hooks you are not allowed any other "teasers"....

A lot of people are calling them T-rigs or Tennessee Rigs. I say a lot, but I guess mainly only the guys that make the 3 wire rigs in tennessee lol Send me an IM if you'd be interested in a couple sites.

Carp would be a good suggestion, or some freshwater stripers if you want a fight lol

Good point, although if you went out and threw some mann's 30+'s, saltwater spooks, and was stroking a 1ounce jig all day you could probably end up with the same fatigue at the end of the day. lol I am more interested to try this rig in other applications, i've seen them with two buzz bait blades on the top two wires. And spread out like a rake and can only imagine fishing 5 creature baits along the bottom. Living here in Tennessee, i'm excited to try 3 single bladed big thumpin spinnerbaits at night. I think most people will put it up to dry once the newness wears off, while other guys will perfect it (just like any bait). As for the original post. I am using a "guntersville rig" with 5 baits. 4 skinny dippers glued to 1/8 ounce jig heads with the hook snipped off at the bend. The middle wire I have a 3/8 ounce head with a 5inch basstrix. 65lb braid. 8ft APR "Striper Special" Heavy-Moderate Action -swimbait rod. E7 Curado. I also have a couple of homemade units. One with only 3 wires. So, while i've been testing these guys out I am just tying to two snap swivels and connecting both of them to the A-rig so I don't have to take all the time in re-tying to another one. As for flourocarbon-mono debate. My thoughts on that are: 1. If you have a rig with upwards of 30 dollars worth of baits, why not have strong braid on that can pull up a deadfall tree if you need to (or at least enough to straighten out the snaps 2. the rig has 5 pieces of metal wire coming from a minnow head... why camoflauge a semi if you can still see it comin thru the woods. 3. i fished this bait in virginia and tennessee in a lake that people swear by using light line so the fish can't see it because it is so clear. We caught fish all day long in 5-30ft of water. That convinced me enough that, even if fish don't like the braid, there shouldn't be enough of them scared to the point they stay away from the rig to really matter. (plenty of other people are using it and catching BIG sacks--they can't be that much better than me to beat me just by the baird/flouro debate) As for doubles and triples and "the fight"... Before complaining about having no fight on the rig, try catching a double on a crankbait or topwater first. There is also no fight in that either. Its not the rigs fault, its the fact there is two fish on the end of the line and every motion counteracts the others. Thats why when you get a double it feels more like a turtle, or plastic bag being reeled in. I also think you'll still see plenty of guys still be using the convential methods and only using the A rig as another tool, like a jig and crankbait.

But...so was the chatterbait, right? It probably is just a fad, but that doesn't mean it won't catch fish. People will stop using it after they loose one, or get tired of not being able to catch doubles every trip (because that stuff just don't happen if you don't know how to use it). And after the majority of people stop using it, i think it will still play a role in many anglers tournament seasons. I use the bait with 5 baits here in Tennessee but I only have 1 hook on the middle wire with a longer swimbait. I don't know how I could get the its not sportsman like argument from fishing it this way, but I still have. The rig works, not because its a fad or a magic trick. It works the same way a spinnerbait works. It mimicks a school of shad. Everytime you twitch your rod, or change direction you have multiple identical "minnows" changing motion as well. Just like a school of fish would do. I still won't buy a senko, because I think its just a fad waiting to go out. lol I wouldn't even want to know how much money i've lost waiting for that to happen lol

you could go buy shakespeare 20lb catfish line, fill the spool half way up, then tape it off and start your "good" line to fill the rest.

Ya think KVD could pull his rig up into Air Force One and fly to the next tournament morning of??? It may be something he could think about lol

I think this may have a little part in some of his tantrums...probably not this one, but more so on his fishing show. But, several guys on this forum have met Ike. Guys like him. He's a nice guy, a fun and caring person. He actually passed me on the interstate last week and threw up his hand and gave a big thumbs up when my boy held up an Alabama Rig lol. Listen to the way he talks about his family. I think he has a huge passion for fishing. And if you have a passion for anything you will get emotional with the highs and lows. And other than maybe golf??? I don't think you can find a sport that has as many highs and lows in the same day, same hour, or same cast. KVD has his fan base because he's a solid competitor, person, and shows great self control. But for the people that like Ike only because of seeing him on tv, its because he shows his love for it. Other people think he's cool because he yells at the fish, or dances in the boat. I think he's brought a lot of GOOD things to fishing and I think our sport has grown in a positive manner because of the publicity he's been able to shed. It may not all be good on his part...but who would watch Nascar if every car always made it across the finish line and there was never anything different or exciting to happen??? Same can now go for fishing. He can provide an example to many people....what to do...what not to do... Doesn't mean he's a bad person. Its not good to throw rods, its flat out stupid actually. But thats part of who he is and what he does. He's learned from it some; I don't think i've seen him bash his light poles and cuss out a limit of dead fish in quite some time. I think he knows his limit and knows where to push it now and I think it will continue to be a part of who he is. He seems like the type of guy that he doesn't really care if you like him or not anyway.

I've got a couple that I rarely ever use now. They are perfect internally, but if I was go to sell them, internal doesn't mean much to a person that sees boat rash all over it. I rarely ever sell my stuff anyway, but now that winter is here I have a lot more free time since I dont go out in the evenings much. I figured it may be something neat to get into.

Do any of you guys paint your reels? I'd like to learn how to do it. I have WAY too many reels. Even some from when I first started fishing. They are heavy so aren't used much, but they are workhorses. So i don't think it would hurt my feelings much to experiment on them (good or bad results) I'd like to know different ways and try a couple different things if anyone has any reccomendations. **Maybe this should be in tacklemaking cuz of painting?? Sorry if so.

Could someone please tell me the differences in the straight eye and down eye versions. I tried a search but I dont think i found what I was exactly looking for. Do you guys fish them? I was reading in the recent BASS magazine a little about them. Seems there are both pros and cons. Its really hard to justify spending that much on one lure. But I have never lost a jerkbait thus far, I would hope I wouldn't lose one of them if I was to buy it. I have found a couple lures that seems to really make a difference in quality/components. It's made me want to branch out a little more.

In Tennessee you are allowed only 3 baits on an u-rig if they are larger than size 6. Or, you can use 5 baits with only one hook on it. HOOK==> this can be single, treble, or a set of trebles (crankbait) Each blade of a spinnerbait is considered a bait... its a teaser, so, TWRA ultimately calls that a "bait" hook or not. I guess that we are technically not allowed to use a quad bladed spinnerbait. Several guys are taking the rig and only using 3 baits of the same size on it (all with hooks) Others use 5 baits, for the visual appeal, and use a little bit bigger bait in the middle and place the hook on that. I started to side with the more hooks better percentage. But after fishing the bait with 5 hooks and catching fish on the middle bait over 70% of the time. I think I would be just as confident with 5 baits and 1 hook. It would go thru cover better this way too. I've still got a lot of testing I am anxious to do though. *Check out Ott Defoe's facebook. He fishes Cherokee and Douglas a lot which are our home lakes... He's nailed some BIG bass.