Umbrella Rig

[FishinBuck07]

For you guys that throw the A Rig what size swimbaits do you use the most?  Also what size jig heads you using the most?

[RDB]

I don’t know the rules for your state on the number of hooks allowed…in Texas it is 5.  My most common setup is a 3.5-4” swimbait, 1/8th oz jig heads on the upper arms and 1/4th oz on the 2 bottom arms (the heavier weights on the lower arms help stabilize the rig).  I sometimes use a slightly larger sized swimbait on the trailing arm and I will almost always add a little color to that trailing swimbait.  You are representing a bait ball so I would stay in a similar size range as the forage you are representing.

 

Edit:  Check your state regs. first but even in states that allow fewer hooks, you can usually use dummies for the other arms.

[A-Jay]

Been through a few models with various levels of success.

Current favorite A-Rig is  

G Funk Baits Bama Rig with

Strike King Rage Tail Swimmer,

Keitech Swing Impact FAT and / or

Strike King KVD Swim N Shiner

Mounted on Dobyns Light Hook Swimbait Head or

Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin' Finesse Swimbait Jig Heads or

VMC Boxer Jig Head  – usually all 1/8 oz.

Baits are usually less than 4.75 inches.

A-Jay

 

[gim]

34 minutes ago, RDB said:

Edit:  Check your state regs. first but even in states that allow fewer hooks, you can usually use dummies for the other arms

I think that is the rule here. Only one of them can actually have a hook and the rest have to be dummies.

[Jig Man]

We are allowed 3 hooks.  I make my own as well as the baits.  I use 1/16 or 1/8 oz head with 4/0 hooks.  4 inch swimbaits or 5 in flukes are my go to plastics.

[MN Fisher]

19 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I think that is the rule here. Only one of them can actually have a hook and the rest have to be dummies.

Yep - and that's a change from 2020 when we could have 2 hooks.

 

Tossed the Donkey rig right into the bin, as it was legal in 2020, but illegal in 2021.

[FishinBuck07]

I know here we are allowed to use 3 hooks, I bought the 3 wire yumbrella rig to start out with and see if I will even like throwing it.  I just hear so many different options for heads and swimbaits, just was trying to see what the average of what guys on here use also!

[kdubracing]

I always use 1/8 heads. Sometimes I use 3.2ish and sometimes I use 3.8ish swimbaits. Depends on what I feel like would be best at the time. Also, sometimes I use Keitech style paddletails and sometimes RI Little Dipper style. Again, depends on what I feel like at that moment. 

[RDB]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I think that is the rule here. Only one of them can actually have a hook and the rest have to be dummies.

Ouch…I guess that rules out multiple fish on one cast.  At least you have an idea on the hook location for the highest odds.

[T-Billy]

Thanks for asking @FishinBuck07. I was gonna post the same question sometime this winter. I'm gonna spend some time with it next spring. I've never really given it a fair shot. My 766 Dobyns Sierra hasn't seen much action for awhile. It should be great for throwing an A-Rig.

 I'd also like to know if y'all that throw'em ever target deeper fish with them or just fairly shallow structure?

[cyclops2]

They work TOO WELL... Guy has a photo of 3 big  SMB on one the modified lures.

[Luke Barnes]

I'm new to the a rig game but I use a Yumbrella Flash Mob Jr and all except the trailing swimbait will be around 3 1/2". Sometimes i put a 5 inch on the trailing one. I try to keep it as light as possible so I use 1/16oz on the top two and 1/8oz on the middle and bottom three. Ive yet to catch anything on it and dont know to fish it right but it was fun picking all the swimbaits out and putting it all together. 

[softwateronly]

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Thanks for asking @FishinBuck07. I was gonna post the same question sometime this winter. I'm gonna spend some time with it next spring. I've never really given it a fair shot. My 766 Dobyns Sierra hasn't seen much action for awhile. It should be great for throwing an A-Rig.

 I'd also like to know if y'all that throw'em ever target deeper fish with them or just fairly shallow structure?

I've done best in spring on the flats in 10-12 fow.  The 766 sounds like a perfect choice to me.  I don't like throwing them on anything shorter.

 

scott

[txchaser]

Default  for me 3.8, in keitech, exoswim (they look a little different), and in colder water jackall rhythm wave which has a tighter wiggle.  Sounds like I need to try all 4.3's and see how that goes too, although this weekend I was hunting for a pack of 3.3's as I wanted to downsize for this colder weather.

 

1/8 or 1/4 heads depending on how deep I'm fishing, usually the 1/8 down to 7-8 feet. Been using the z-man trout eye heads - i noticed the shad where I fish the a-rig most often had gold eyes, and sure enough, I got more bites... Or at least I think I do, and that's enough for me. 1/8 heads are throwable on a regular rod, sort of. I wouldn't try that with the 1/4 heads.

On my "try it" list are the 6th sense screw-lock heads; the z-man are really made for elaztech and can split the harder plastics sometimes.

 

I've tried having a different color on the middle bait, or using a larger bait there, or dipping the tail, and it doesn't get bit nearly as much as the other baits so I quit doing it.

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

I use the 3.8" fat impact style baits the most on an 1/8 or 1/4 ounce head. 

[txchaser]

On 1/18/2022 at 8:49 PM, txchaser said:

although this weekend I was hunting for a pack of 3.3's as I wanted to downsize for this colder weather.

 

Water was 48 degrees at the surface today, 52 at 10'. 

I've never caught as many big fish on an a-rig at this spot, was fishing the 3.3s today. Threadfin shad is the primary forage. Fished in similar conditions last year too. 

 

I didn't A/B test, maybe the 3.8's would have done just as well, but I don't think so... the bite was "snacky" - they weren't slamming it, they were just putting their mouth around it. Oh and I ran a 3.8 as the middle/trail bait and only had one bite on that bait.