Thoughts On The Ozark Rig

[FishTank]

I was intrigued by the design of these hooks since the came out but I really wasn't convinced that they would be any different than a Free Rig or Texas Rig. So I gave in and ordered a couple.

 

I fished it pretty much exclusively the past two days and I can say it is different but it's not necessarily a replacement for me on the Texas Rig or the Free Rig. Depending on the bait it gives it a sort of natural death spiral and it makes the bait fall slower, a lot slower. I tried both an 1/8 oz and 3/16 oz with a 4/0 hook. I caught several good fish with it but if you throw it in deeper water you need to be patient. Also, it rips baits easily when you hook into a fish. The hook is strong,  sharp and it pins the fish well.  

 

I think I will continue to use it but for the price and the hype, I'm indifferent to it. It will be a good addition to the Texas Rig and Free Rig I'm already using. 

 

[fin]

Thanks for the review.

 

If necessity is the mother of invention, I'd like to know why someone made this. I mean, what was the problem they were trying to fix, or why did they need this?

 

I don't think this is really worthy of me having to remember the name of a new rig 😄

 

[FishTank]

@fin  I stole the following from Core Tackle's website. 

 

• No more need for bullet weights when fishing a Texas Rig
• Hooks fish in the top of the mouth every time by keeping the hook point up as the bait falls
• Gives any soft plastic bait a natural gliding motion by redistributing weight along the body of the bait

This unique rigging design allows an angler the opportunity to present Texas-rigged soft plastics into those hard-to-reach places without the need for a bullet weight. The Ozark Rig has weight strategically balanced along the hook shank to increase gliding motion on the fall, creating a tantalizing action. Whether you're casting or pitching, the Ozark rig will bring new life to your traditional baits and offer the fish something they haven't seen before!

 

I think it's a different thing all together that the fish haven't seen, depending on the bait. I think it will be great for flat bottom baits, like Sweet Beavers and the Bellows Gill. I not sure yet on a things like a Senko or a ribbon tail worm. For me, I like the way the bait sits on hook. I also noticed I got hung up a lot less with this than I do on a Texas Rig. 

[Big Swimbait]

It reminds me of a technique several years ago when we used a weighted swimbait hook on Rage baits. I think they even called it the Rage Rig, but I could be wrong.

[Bass Rutten]

Yep, repackaged and rebranded rage rig, more or less. I made my own back in the day by adding weight to hook shanks, it definitely offers a different look with a gliding slow fall presentation but I was never able to use it to my advantage and figure out where it shines. I'm over it. Hope it works out for someone.

[Choporoz]

I still use weighted hooks- rage rig.  Missed out on any hype for this so far...first heard of Ozark rig for me.  This looks a lot different than Rage Rig...assuming that line tie is 90, like it appears.  The line tie, along with some weight ahead of it should produce a spiral, tube-like fall, I'd think.   A lot different than the glide fall of a weighted swimbait hook, and the mostly straight t-rig fall.

[fin]

Thanks, @FishTank I think maybe my question was kind of rhetorical. I could go watch videos or read the hype, but like what you posted there, it doesn't really answer my question about what this design does that's special and why it warrants a new rig name.

 

I use weighted hooks all the time. I either buy them pre-made, or add weights to different styles of hooks myself, so I get the attraction. I love them. It's obviously nothing new.

 

Where you place the weight along the length of the hook greatly affects the action, obviously, but I don't think I buy their claim that evenly distributing the weight along the hook does anything special. My favorite weighted hooks are the adjustable twistlocks that allow you to tweak the position to get the best effect for a particular bait.

 

I never really thought about the fact that something rigged with a weighted hook doesn't have a rig name. Is that really true? Maybe I just don't know the name. @WRB usually knows what the original was on everything. Maybe he can tell us.

 

 

[rangerjockey]

I have some. Obviously, the weight is distributed differently than a swimbait hook.

Just dropping it alongside the boat you can see it has a gliding action while it falls.

Game changer?  I don't know but it does work as advertised and doesn't take a nosedive like a T-Rig or Shakey head.

[Mike L]

A Rage Rig is the generic name for any hook with the weight molded to the shank.
There are different thicknesses and shapes of the weight available depending on who makes it.
 

So to me there’s 2 reasons that this has a different name…

The line tie is on the tip of shank as opposed to the end which gives it a different angle.

Or…

The guy who designed it lives in the Ozark Mountains somewhere and decided to name it after where he lives and hopes nobody notices or cares. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[rangerjockey]

2 hours ago, Mike L said:

A Rage Rig is the generic name for any hook with the weight molded to the shank.
There are different thicknesses and shapes of the weight available depending on who makes it.
 

So to me there’s 2 reasons that this has a different name…

The line tie is on the tip of shank as opposed to the end which gives it a different angle.

Or…

The guy who designed it lives in the Ozark Mountains somewhere and decided to name it after where he lives and hopes nobody notices or cares. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

Johnny Schultz does live in the ozarks, but it was he and Matt Steffan who developed it.

They are the owners of core tackle.

[bowhunter63]

Rage Rig been using it since Steve Parks showed us 

[fin]

Quote

 

Find out more about the foolproof rig coined The Rage Rig. Quick and easy to rig, this multi-application rig bridges the gaps of presentation and the highest performance possible…

 

Back in 06-07 when the Rage Tail products were being introduced into the marketplace, I often mentioned to others and on several fishing forums, how the use of Weighted (swimbait) hooks were equally effective for many different soft plastic designs and not just for swim bait style presentations. It was also my experience over the years, that as I designed more action in my products they were especially desirable with this technique providing the same slow and more horizontal fall/glide to the bait while giving a seductive waving or swimming action that was very attractive to the fish. The baits that would provide more appendage movement with the slowest fall or glide seemed to get the most bites. With this presentation and technique, the name “Rage Rig” was given to the application which fit this style closely.

The first type of bait that I used it on was big curl tail worms dating as far back as the 70′s where I pinched one or several split shot or other cylindrical line weights on the bottom bend of the hook to achieve the proper effect and desired fall rate when fishing this presentation. Other baits that were effective were Lizards, Craws as well as Creature style designs. The fact that the slower fall and basic horizontal glide was often effective in a variety of water conditions, made it a staple presentation for me and I have since kept at least one rod rigged at all times for when the need arises. Over the years, I’ve figured out that in certain situations, not only is it the best choice for bites but also for the Bigger Bite. When the bigger fish are in shallow to mid range conditions I’ll often find the Rage Rig in my hands and my confidence beaming!

It is important to remember that the Rage Rig is not necessarily used with a continuous swimming motion or retrieve… But moreover utilizing a slow lift or drag forward and pause, as one would normally fish a slow T-Rig or C-rig set up. The bait maintaining a horizontal profile and slow seductive fall, are two of the main attributes to this presentation. Easing the Rage Rig through and over scattered grass can be extremely productive as well and it doesn’t foul nearly as much as a standard T-rig. The bait basically settles on top of the grass or flutters down in the open pockets firing up some ridiculous strikes.

A few years ago, I was asked to help with the design and tweaking of a new weighted swimbait hook. A hook meant to perform best with this presentation. The weighted Stroker was released shortly after with the launch of the Moaner Hooks brand and it’s PERFECTLY suited for use with the Rage Rig.

Just last year at the BassResource Roadtrip on Kentucky Lake, one of our members “Steezy” used this same rig with a Summer Craw colored Rage Craw to consistently catch as many fish if not more than anyone else in the boat each day that he was on the water… and he was a backseater! We were calling it a “Steezy Rig” after his stellar performance.

Since it has proven itself so many times for me and my many fishing friends, the Rage Rig is here to stay… At least in my boat it is!

Author: Steve “Big O” Parks

Rage Tail Lures Designer

Strike King Lure Company

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20141112134918/http://www.ragetail.com/news/rigging-info/the-rage-rig/

 

 

9 hours ago, Mike L said:

A Rage Rig is the generic name for any hook with the weight molded to the shank.

 

That's kind of funny, because "Rage" is a brand name, not generic at all, but thanks for that, because it led me to that thread. I was expecting something older than 2006. I guess before that people just said weighted hook, which is probably easier for others to understand anyway.

[Mike L]

2 hours ago, fin said:

https://web.archive.org/web/20141112134918/http://www.ragetail.com/news/rigging-info/the-rage-rig/

 

 

 

That's kind of funny, because "Rage" is a brand name, not generic at all, but thanks for that, because it led me to that thread. I was expecting something older than 2006. I guess before that people just said weighted hook, which is probably easier for others to understand anyway.

Rage Tail baits are patented and designed by Steve Parks (Big O) manufactured by Strike King. 
He coined the name “Rage Rig” at the very beginning when rigged with a keel weighted hook. 
 

The uniqueness of them is the patented “Rage Flange” which gives them thier unique tail action 

 

When I said generic it was to encompass all keel weighted hooks. 

 

It really doesn’t matter
 

 

Mike

[WRB]

In the 80’s a similar jig or a dart jig was used what is being sold as strolling or ozark jigs, or Ned jig, all work good whatever you name them.

Tom
PS, keel weight hooks also date back into the 80’s

[casts_by_fly]

Bringing this thread back around.  I picked up 2 packs earlier in the year and got to fish one for a little bit yesterday.  I was using a big worm (10.5" zoom monster I think) on the 3/8 variant.  The action sure did look good watching it fall (I had 6' of visibility).  However it was a bugger for catching grass.  I thought that with the tapered front to the weight that it might slide across.  A lighter weight would have helped I'm sure, but I could have also swapped to a weighted swimbait hook instead for the same effect and probably better weedlessness.  With the worm basically sitting on top of the hook it presents a big frontal profile and snags everything.  Maybe fishing rocks and rocky banks it would be good, but those places aren't ones I'm fishing this type of rig in the first place.  I swapped to a standard texas rig and was slithering through everything easily.

 

Anyone else finding this?

[Texas Flood]

I got the 3/8 rigs and lost both back to back on the same rock pile. 

 

 

Follow me for more in depth reviews..

[NorthernBasser]

6 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

However it was a bugger for catching grass. 

 

 With the worm basically sitting on top of the hook it presents a big frontal profile and snags everything. 

Agree 100%. It isn't as streamlined as a t-rig with a bullet weight, so it doesn't slide through grass nearly as well. It literally adds more surface space on the tip of the worm/creature. 

[Cgrinder]

I would try one on a Bull Flat, but I don't think there is enough hook gap there. 

[TcRoc]

Just picked a couple packs of 3/16 4/0.

Intrigued to give a try .. 

[scaleface]

I have some rigs from the 1970's that are almost the exact same thing.

[Bigbox99]

Fishing a soft plastic on a keel weighted swimbait hook is not a new type of rig.  The "rage rig" was always nonsense.

[Bluebasser86]

I bought a pack a few weeks ago but have yet to try them. Put them in my box and keep forgetting about them. 

[Mike L]

I use the “Rage Rig” (to me the only name for it, but doesn’t really matter) almost every outing depending on conditions. 
 

Also, I only use a RI Skinny Dipper which is easier to t pose so I don’t that problem. 
The only other I use is a Big EZ depending on if she wants more wiggle or thump. 
 

 

 

Mike