Umbrella Rigs..... Over Hyped? Worth The Money

[bassking1976]

well another fad is upon us and ive been hearing alot bout them but are umbrella rigs worth the hefty price tag... 15 n over just for the rig not counting the jig heads and swim baits...have gift card at gander mtn and considering getting an umbrella set up but being a shore fisherman not sure if it would be worth it????? anyone use and have any info or opinoins????

[Jim_M]

I did a simple search for "Alabama" not to long ago and the results were abundant and THEN some.

My opinion is they're garbage. The amount of foul hooked fish alone make them dumpster fodder.

Your mileage will vary...but not by much.

[TrippyJai]

I'm not sure if they are legal here in Ontario Canada, but I am not a big fan of throwing heavy baits. Anything over 1oz and I usually feel uncomfortable. The idea of throwing that many swimbaits at the same time doesn't feel right to me.

I probably won't ever use this rig.

[tomustang]

Another? This rig has been going since last year. There's numerous threads about for any input you need

[Bair]

I wouldn't throw that from shore, just too many things to get caught on for $15. I would save the money.

[Raul]

Over rated, hyped, etc, call it whatever you want, there is no such thing as a magic lure, pretty much applies to rigs & terminal tackle, if they are worth it or not is a matter of opinion, think of them as "another tool in your box", there will be days and times when they will work and there will be days and times they won´t.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

The rig works, I use it only when pleasure fishing. Tournements it should be a no-no.

[Fishes in trees]

I think that this bait is just another tool, one that has demonstrated huge results in certain conditions. It is a tool that I'm going to try any time I think I'm around suspended fish. Really, I think that the surface has only been scratched, that there other conditions that this tool will work in.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to keep experimenting with the A-rig from time to time. Next year, maybe, I'm going to upgrade my A-rig gear again. Currently I'm using a 7 ball bearing Calcutta, I'm thinking about upgrading to the Shimano 300 EJ or some other larger capacity inshore reel.

I was using a 7'9" Fenwick swim bait rod, and it worked ok. Then I found an old (early 90's) Team Diawa Muskie rod. It is rated to handle about the same range of weights as the Fenwick, but it is only 7 feet long and that relieves some boat and truck storage issues. I haven't noticed any loss of casting distance by using the shorter rod,but, the just is still out on that.

So, that's my current thoughts on A-rigs.

[Al Wolbach]

It works, but I would not throw it from shore.............................Al

[SirSnookalot]

There has been a lot of positives reviews using an umbrella for bass fishing, if one chooses to use it and it's legal in your area, go4it.

My personal take is that I don't care to fish it, especially from shore, it's just too "busy" and I foresee many snags and tangles with it. I would have to use a heavier rod than I prefer, I don't like that. I don't know about anyone else but the average bass I catch is no where near 5#, not even close to that, heavy rods for small fish do not sit well with me. From personal experience I have caught 2 bass on the same lure and also using 2 lures like a drop fly rig or drop fluke rig, the bass swim together, negating the fight in my opinion.

I would not buy one, if someone gave me one I'd try it, but it isn't a technique I could get serious about.

[jeb2]

Over rated, hyped, etc, call it whatever you want, there is no such thing as a magic lure, pretty much applies to rigs & terminal tackle,

I was one of the early adopters of it in my area, back last Oct/Nov. And it sure as heck was magic then! Caught crazy amounts of very nice fish on it. Far, far less foul hooking than suspending jerk baits and crankbaits.

But by Jan/Feb, everybody and their brother was throwing them, and it's now just become another bait. Been quite a while since I've caught one on it now. Some say it will shine again this fall/winter. We'll see. I'm a doubter. I think the fish around here have just become accustomed to it.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm....

Greatest thing since sliced bread!

However, worthless from shore.

[tomustang]

Hmm....

Greatest thing since sliced bread!

I wouldn't doubt when sliced bread was available there wasn't as much controversy around it as the A-rig

[basscatcher8]

I saw walmart is selling these pre rigged for 12 bucks now. Still not going to buy one.

[SirSnookalot]

Big, big difference in taste between packaged sliced bread loaded with preservatives and broken or hand sliced bakery bread. For me the same difference would be dragging in a couple 4 or 5# fish on some mammoth outfit that could easily accommodate some very large fish, and catching one 5 pounder on a comfortable combo with a great acrobatic display. Easy choice for me, I take the thrill every time over some boring Wonder bread sandwich( people still eat that stuff?) .

[200racing]

the only fish i have caught on it have been visibly feeding below a dam while they wre generating. if you fish in situations like this then might be woth it. if your just fishing normal banks with cover it will be the same as setting the money on fire.

[Bankbeater]

I have seen several people using these things on the lakes that I fish. The bass were not touching it. This is pretty much like everything else that comes out. When it's new everyone will be using it, but after a while people will go back to what they have confidence in.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

I wouldn't doubt the rig at all, it produces, there is a right and wrong way for any lure and any technique.....at the right circumstance and prsentation is the key to being successful.

[bigbassctchr101]

I was big on the rig in late fall-winter-early spring. But I haven't had any luck on it for several months. I can kill fish on a crankbait, and not get touched on the rig. I've always said its just another tool. I'll always have it with me. I really hate the elites banned it though. They HAD to realize that not everyone was going to continue murdering bass on them all the time. It would have been interesting to see how some of them guys used it to their benefit.