Alabama Rig Rookie

[Preytorien]

Hey guys

 

I think I want to attempt using an Alabama rig a little bit this season. I don't want to make it my go-to rig or anything, but I like trying new things. Who knows, I might have some luck.

 

I just have a few questions and I'll use your expertise on this.

 

1. Is an Alabama rig a clear-water rig? Or can it be used anywhere?

 

2. I am using a Heavy-XFast rod with a 6.5:1 reel, 65-lb braid, will this do? I also have a MH/XFast/7.1:1/50lb braid rig, but I presume the former would be better for this?

 

3. What technique do I use? Just simply reeling in, or do you pulse it?

 

4. Is this a deep water rig or can it also be used shallow?

 

5. Here in Indiana, from what I see, we have a 3-hook rule, which means 3 of 5 baits can have a hook. Is this adequate?

 

I'm pretty much a complete novice on these, so any help is appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Jig Man]

I throw the rig on a dedicated setup; a 6.5' H rod, a Curado 6.3:1 reel and 50# Power Pro braid.  I fish it in all clear to dingy water.  I fish it at various depths.  I like to crank, pause, let it drop and crank again.  Last time out I caught fish right on the bottom in 17 fow. 

 

With the 50# braid I can wrap the line around a boat cleat and pull it loose if it is really hung up.

 

Since we also can only have 3 baits with hooks. I run small blades on the other wires.  I make my own so I usually carry 10 different ones.  I use several different colors and shapes of blades depending on what gets a bite.

 

Right now I'm iced in but hoping to get out and toss it in a very few days.  It is a lot of fun and sometimes the bite will nearly jerk the rod out of your hand.

[Preytorien]

Great help thanks! That pretty much answered everything!

[Bluebasser86]

Hey guys

 

I think I want to attempt using an Alabama rig a little bit this season. I don't want to make it my go-to rig or anything, but I like trying new things. Who knows, I might have some luck.

 

I just have a few questions and I'll use your expertise on this.

 

1. Is an Alabama rig a clear-water rig? Or can it be used anywhere? It can be used anywhere but tends to be more effective in clearer water where the visual appeal of a school of baitfish is stronger.

 

2. I am using a Heavy-XFast rod with a 6.5:1 reel, 65-lb braid, will this do? I also have a MH/XFast/7.1:1/50lb braid rig, but I presume the former would be better for this? I would use the first rig but you're going to be disappointed the first time you backlash with that braid and watch your rig sail out into the lake. I use 25lb copolymer for the shock absorbency if I backlash and it's still strong enough to straighten my hooks and get my rig back if I get snagged.

 

3. What technique do I use? Just simply reeling in, or do you pulse it? I've had good success with both so you'll just have to play with both. I prefer to use a slow, steady retrieve though.

 

4. Is this a deep water rig or can it also be used shallow? Can be used either deep or shallow. You can switch to lighter jigheads or none at all for shallow along with starting the retrieve immediately. For deeper water just add heavier heads and let it sink before you start reeling.

 

5. Here in Indiana, from what I see, we have a 3-hook rule, which means 3 of 5 baits can have a hook. Is this adequate? You have a few different options for the 3 rig deal. You can get a 3 arm rig. You can put 3 baits on a 5 arm rig then put 2 spinnerbait blades on. You can rig 5 baits then cut hooks off 2 of them. You can put 3 baits on then use hitchhiker screwlocks to put on 2 teaser baits. I like to use a bait like the YUM Flash Mob with 3 baits and 2 willowleaf blades when I'm fishing somewhere with the 3 hook rule.

 

I'm pretty much a complete novice on these, so any help is appreciated.

 

Thanks

[eyedabassman]

1. You can fish it in any water because it moves alot of water,but it shines in clear water!

2.My pick would be the first rod setup!

3.Both

4.Both

5.You can buy a A-rig with 3 arms or 5 arms.I like the 5 arm it looks more like a school of baitfish! Just put the hooked baits on the bottom two arms and then the long center arm and the baits with no hooks at the top two arms.Just check your state laws about this,every state is different! And if this is going to be your go to rig good luck!!! It will plum wear you out after throwing it for along time! It shines in winter,spring and late fall but does not do well in summer!

[dinneronastring]

I've recently done a lot of reading and video watching on the A-rig. No where have I come across anything mentioning this:

 

I am considering doing an Alabama rig in the current at the Mouth of The Monocacy and the Potomac River. Seems I could place it and let it

set in the current and operate without any intervention while I fished with another rod. Anything capable of grabbing it in that current would have to be a large strong fish.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

 

Larry 

[roadwarrior]

Just make sure the rod is adequately secured, strikes are sometimes vicious!

 

Although some will argue that the Alabama Rig is just another version of the

umbrella rig, Andy Poss is credited with introducing it to freshwater fishing. He

subsequently sold his company to Mann's. Since then the market has been  flooded

with the rig under different names an in a variety of sizes. For those who have a nack

for building things, "homemade" versions will work just fine.

 

http://www.tournamentfishingradio.com/2011/11/hear-alabama-rig-inventor-andy-poss-now.html

[camovan]

I've recently done a lot of reading and video watching on the A-rig. No where have I come across anything mentioning this:

 

I am considering doing an Alabama rig in the current at the Mouth of The Monocacy and the Potomac River. Seems I could place it and let it

set in the current and operate without any intervention while I fished with another rod. Anything capable of grabbing it in that current would have to be a large strong fish.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

 

Larry 

 

That is a big smallmouth area of the river, and the little ones are plenty strong to fight the current.

[dinneronastring]

Yes, lots of smallmouth. Some folks think the Monocacy is fished out but I find if I wade it to where others rarely venture

I pull'em out 15 to 17 1/2 inches long. This past season was my first season fishing in many years but never went to the

mouth. This year is going to be a great year!