Anybody On Here Use Saltwater Minnows For Alabama Rigs Or Just For A Swimbait?

[Matthew Veillion]

I have a friend that swears by them and he never fails to catch fish on them just like any other paddle tail minnow. He uses H&H cockahoe minnows which are like $2 for a pack of 10 and holdup for a good number of fish. Its the same think with a paddle tail and all. Yes the action might not be as great but he still slays fish with them. The other day he had pearl with chartreuse tails on an Alabama rig and the one in the middle way hot pink and he caught a few on it. Every time i fish with him he uses them and catches fish. I just wanted to see if anybody else does this

[roadwarrior]

Not me, I'm trying to minimize weight and maximize action.

I have weightless LFT Live Magic Shad on the outside

arms, a Johnson Silver Minnow in the middle.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I have a friend that swears by them and he never fails to catch fish on them just like any other paddle tail minnow. He uses H&H cockahoe minnows which are like $2 for a pack of 10 and holdup for a good number of fish. Its the same think with a paddle tail and all. Yes the action might not be as great but he still slays fish with them. The other day he had pearl with chartreuse tails on an Alabama rig and the one in the middle way hot pink and he caught a few on it. Every time i fish with him he uses them and catches fish. I just wanted to see if anybody else does this

 

Cocahoe minnows are fairly small profile but also have a very tight wiggling action with the small paddle tails. Overall, it has less of a side to side wobble and ends up being more subtle, which is typically preferred in the winter. That may be why he is catching fish so well on them right now.

 

I have used more soft plastic swimbaits than I care to admit, and if I were to use the A-Rig, I would agree with RoadWarrior. Maximum action, minimum weight. You don't need a bunch of heavy jigheads and minnows when fishing in a small pond.

 

I don't mind paying for lures as long as they catch fish... especially when a small bag of mini grass pigs can be had for a dollar more with better action. maybe those would be worth a shot?

 

If the cocahoes work, then by all means rock them. He may be onto something with the tight wiggle in cold water. However, I prefer the softer plastic (more action) of bass oriented swimbaits, as well as the color schemes available with them.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Depends - if I want to get deep quick, then weighted is the way to go especially if you are trolling a channel ledge.  If you are casting and retrieving, the weighted jigheads might where you out after a bit.