The Effectiveness Of The Alabama Rig

[J Francho]

LOL, like KVD. He sucks at tournaments.

[TommyBass]

I know a lot of tournament fishermen feel the same way about the Senko when "lesser skilled" anglers win tournaments. I guess it's a little like playing poker with a joker in the deck or dueces wild. On the other hand, adding a little spice to the competition gives a chance to some guys that don't have one! When they're losing, nobody seems to mind taking their money.

I agree, I don't like the senko either. But it didn't revolutionize the way this has. The senko is still a rubber worm. And it covers FAR less water. The umbrella rig is a whole different system for fishing with multiple hooks and you cover tons of water. If we changed it to only allowing one hook per rig, then it would be a little better, but I think even using dummy baits is a stretch for the sport. Athletes shouldn't be allowed to use PEDs to help make themselves as good at the elite. Fishing isn't any different. I don't think "because it lets bad fisherman compete" is a good approach.

Im all about adding competition to tournaments... no one wants to be ran over week after week. But I want someone to win because they did more homework, fished the right patterns, or presented something more effectively. Not because they were lazy, went to BPS the night before, bought a rig and chucked it the next morning. Have you watched any of the YouTube videos? People are literally throwing the bait anytime and everywhere and catching fish on their first outings. If there is a bass nearby it catches one more times than not. KY lake comes to mind, where I have seen countless videos of guys just pulling up and throwing the rig EVERYWHERE and slaying them. Shallow, deep, suspended, it dosn't matter. All depths all times of the year it appears to be killing them in all regions and lakes.

Is this rig good enough to completely make everything else irrelevant? Of course not, but I think it has entered the percantages to where it is raising a giant red flag. I guess well just have to let it play out and see where it lands us this time next year, after its been out awhile. But it dosn't look good for competition or the sport.

[jig]

LOL, like KVD. He sucks at tournaments.

you ever see him just cast it out and reel it in without doing something eratic to make them bite ?watch closer !lol

[TommyBass]

LOL, like KVD. He sucks at tournaments.

Haha... ironically to this conversation... it was KVD that was hit hard by the 'rig' in Major League Fishing. Granted he backed off and tried new stuff after he virtually guarenteed himself a passage, but Quinns 'rig' blew the competition out. Also ironically, Quinn basically sucked pond water until he tied that on.

[J Francho]

I find it kinda interesting that all of the negative comments come from guys who have never fished the rig.

What's more fascinating, is that they find a way to quote just about EVERY post, and have some irrelevant counterpoint to make. It's as if they know better than all the rest of us trying new things. Whatever.

[bwell]

I like trying to figure out what they are biting on personally. I think its crap that someone can tie on an alabama rig and have a chance at winnning a tournament that has no skill whatsoever.

[J Francho]

I think its crap that someone can tie on an alabama rig and have a chance at winnning a tournament that has no skill whatsoever.

If you think that's true, you are mistaken. The rig doesn't make fish magically appear, LOL.

[bwell]

Very true and thats not really what I was getting at. If before you find bait fish boiling, and couldnt get them to bite on a fluke, traps, topwater ect. it was tough luck. Now you throw the a-rig and have a MUCH better chance of getting the bass attenion because its still a "school" of fish and not a single bait like before... It takes all the guess work out of it...

[James Yalem]

I agree, I don't like the senko either. But it didn't revolutionize the way this has. The senko is still a rubber worm. And it covers FAR less water. The umbrella rig is a whole different system for fishing with multiple hooks and you cover tons of water. If we changed it to only allowing one hook per rig, then it would be a little better, but I think even using dummy baits is a stretch for the sport. Athletes shouldn't be allowed to use PEDs to help make themselves as good at the elite. Fishing isn't any different. I don't think "because it lets bad fisherman compete" is a good approach.

Im all about adding competition to tournaments... no one wants to be ran over week after week. But I want someone to win because they did more homework, fished the right patterns, or presented something more effectively. Not because they were lazy, went to BPS the night before, bought a rig and chucked it the next morning. Have you watched any of the YouTube videos? People are literally throwing the bait anytime and everywhere and catching fish on their first outings. If there is a bass nearby it catches one more times than not. KY lake comes to mind, where I have seen countless videos of guys just pulling up and throwing the rig EVERYWHERE and slaying them. Shallow, deep, suspended, it dosn't matter. All depths all times of the year it appears to be killing them in all regions and lakes.

Is this rig good enough to completely make everything else irrelevant? Of course not, but I think it has entered the percantages to where it is raising a giant red flag. I guess well just have to let it play out and see where it lands us this time next year, after its been out awhile. But it dosn't look good for competition or the sport.

I completely agree with you. I'm not a tournament fisherman, but I don't intend to use the umbrella rig because it takes the challenge out of bass fishing. I wish that I knew why this rig is so effective. I don't use live bait for the same reason.

[Quillback]

It's so funny, we bass fishermen spend big money on rods, reels, boats, gas, lures, insurance, line, depth finders, GPS, and all the other stuff that goes into bass fishing. We ask for advice on boards on how to fish different techniques to catch more fish. Everyone wants to catch bass, as many as they can and the bigger the better. Along comes a technique (A-rig) that, for now at least, allows anglers to more easily catch bass. But because it's "too easy" some people don't like it. Very ironic.

[J Francho]

So, I've located the bait, and active fish, and I still have "guesswork" to do?

Doesn't make sense. In my experience, it isn't that hard to catch fish in those conditions, if you know what your doing. The big difference is that a castable umbrella rig catches BIGGER fish than other baits.

Here's what I think is AWESOME about the discussions. While all you guys jump on any of us posting our failures and successes with this new bait, we are out there discovering what works, and what doesn't. If you think you can tie up a bunch of Basstrix or Shadalicious and win a tournament, then that makes me happy. The less people that try this, or know how to fish it, the longer it will work when I need it to.

[roadwarrior]

I wish that I knew why this rig is so effective.

Because fish lose all their inhibitions and their natural instinct

is triggered when a wad of bait passes in their strike zone. Because

of this, "uncatchable" fish are being caught.

As a specific example, Pickwick has produced more double digit bass

in the last several months than the total for the last several years

and perhaps decades! Remember too, it's NOT primetime for green bass

around here. I suspect as the northern waters open up and anglers around

the country start ramping up this spring, reported catches of record

fish will explode.

[TommyBass]

Are you not arguing against yourself right there @JFrancho? Your basically saying I hope you guys continue to dislike it and not use it, so people like you can capitalize on its over effectiveness...?

I HAVE used it and it IS THAT EASY. Its a game changer to anyone seriously fishing. I'd almost guarentee somone can go out and throw this for the first time and catch more and bigger fish than anything else they would use that day. Not 100% of course, but again, enough to make it troubling.

Someone earlier mentioned the GPS and fish finders etc. I feel the exact same way... giving someone a preloaded NAVIONICS chip with finite depth detail also gives a disavantage. Thats why everyone uses them now... its stupid what this sport has become. Everyone wants that extra edge or thinks they need this and that. The trouble is, enough of this stuff loads the odds enough in their favor it requires even the resistant ones to buy and use the same stuff, in order to keep the field level.

People just want 'easy' and have lost the way in doing work themselves.

[TommyBass]

RoadWarrior I'm confused... are you for or against this in tournament use? Or undeceided?

The stats you are putting out there only prove my point more. That many more double digit bass, yet this thing still takes skill? haha

Northern lakes will have the same results... its proving just as deady on smallies as well.

[J Francho]

Are you not arguing against yourself right there @JFrancho? Your basically saying I hope you guys continue to dislike it and not use it, so people like you can capitalize on its over effectiveness...?

What I am capitalizing is time. Do you not agree that the more time spent on the water with a jig makes a better jig fisherman?

OBTW, they work on largemouth, too. If you are only catching smallies, then you need to examine your location. Or cast a little to left, since it's that easy, LOL.

[James Yalem]

Because fish lose all their inhibitions and their natural instinct

is triggered when a wad of bait passes in their strike zone. Because

of this, "uncatchable" fish are being caught.

As a specific example, Pickwick has produced more double digit bass

in the last several months than the total for the last several years

and perhaps decades! Remember too, it's NOT primetime for green bass

around here. I suspect as the northern waters open up and anglers around

the country start ramping up this spring, reported catches of record

fish will explode.

It is catching lots of bass at Table Rock Lake in my home state of Missouri. Usually when you read about bass fishing at Table Rock in the winter, it is extremely deep for Kentuckies and Smallmouth. This winter I have read about catching largemouths on chunk rock shorelines with the rig. And Table Rock is a very clear lake in which most reports are about fishing very light line with grubs or drop shot rigs. The effectiveness of the rig at Table Rock sure makes me doubt that bass are really line shy.

[TommyBass]

JFrancho you need to read slower... I didn't say I used it on smallies. I don't even have smallmouth here in this part of the state. Im just saying reports are showing its killing them as well. My personal experience is only largemouth.

I agree your capitalizing on time. Your throwing something that is effective or more so than something someone else is throwing thats been practicing it for years. Thats my point... why should you be rewarded monetarily in a tournament because you picked this technique up a week before the tourney and beat people who were better fisherman? If they have years of experience crankbait fishing thta is completely negated by the presence of this lure, then theres and issue. Its not because you would have been a more skilled angler. Not saying you in particular are not, but thats just an example. It flat out lets less skilled anglers do 3-4-500% better in many situations.

Lets just put everyone on an even playing field and give out hugs and participation trophys.

[Deleted account]

I think its a no brainer that this thing will be as good if not better on Smallies, they inhabit more open water and school up, no? Repeat after me "fish are stupid, fisherman are...."

[J Francho]

JFrancho you need to read slower...

I read it just fine. You made a comment about my neck of the woods, and offered some real world info. That's all.

I disagree that it's more effective all the time, which is what most antis are claiming. These bass are going to scatter come summer. Good luck with it then.

[J Francho]

For those that "think this" or "believe that," I say drop a few bucks on a YUMbrella rig and try it out.

At least Tommy has actually thrown the thing.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I don't really care how you decide to run your tournament. If you want to outlaw certain

lures, rigs or techniques it's fine by me. I fish for fun and find "catching" is a lot more fun than

just "fishing". For those that are interested in catching more and bigger bass, you need to give

this rig a try.

[jig]

So, I've located the bait, and active fish, and I still have "guesswork" to do?

Doesn't make sense. In my experience, it isn't that hard to catch fish in those conditions, if you know what your doing. The big difference is that a castable umbrella rig catches BIGGER fish than other baits.

Here's what I think is AWESOME about the discussions. While all you guys jump on any of us posting our failures and successes with this new bait, we are out there discovering what works, and what doesn't. If you think you can tie up a bunch of Basstrix or Shadalicious and win a tournament, then that makes me happy. The less people that try this, or know how to fish it, the longer it will work when I need it to.

know how to fish it ? really ? r u kidding me ? you could take someone whos never fished before and as long as thet can cast it out,they are going to catch as many as you, or the next guy ,using one.Like ive said,they have been around for a long,long time in salt water and there is no secret to fishing them.they r considered a dummy bait there to !ALL im saying is they shouldnt be allowed in any tourneys the very least.I would like to see them completely outlawed for the simple reason i think theres going to be more fish dieing due to the fact that alot going people r just going to.fling them into boat due to the fact they wont want the other hooks getting caught on themselves.its a rig designed for a commercial fishery where multiple fish can be caught at once !The very least, u should just have one hook on the rig on the bait trailing down the middle if you just have to use one.

[piscicidal]

These arguments against the A-rig seem very similiar to when Calloway Golf came out with the ERCII (non-conforming) driver back in the mid 2000s. People were frantic...it was going to obsolete courses, less skilled golfers were going to be beating more skilled golfers, etc...

Now 10 years later we realize that most of it was nonsense.. The hackers who bought the ERCII ten years ago are still hackers today. Today, there are literally dozen of "non-conforming" drivers available to the public. Yet, somehow, the collective handicap of the golfing public hasn't changed much. Golf courses haven't been rendered obsolete. The pro tours adapted a policy restricting COR values of drivers, rendering those clubs not eligible for use on tour. Overall, not much has changed despite the frantic railings at the time.

I kind of look at the A-rig the same way as that ERCII driver. If it enhances your enjoyment and you don't get paid to use it, then go for it. My personal inclination is not to use the A-rig, but I must admit I am waffling a little bit. If I am fishing a tournament on Okeechobee and competitors are using it then I may have to get with the program.

[jig]

These arguments against the A-rig seem very similiar to when Calloway Golf came out with the ERCII (non-conforming) driver back in the mid 2000s. People were frantic...it was going to obsolete courses, less skilled golfers were going to be beating more skilled golfers, etc...

Now 10 years later we realize that most of it was nonsense.. The hackers who bought the ERCII ten years ago are still hackers today. Today, there are literally dozen of "non-conforming" drivers available to the public. Yet, somehow, the collective handicap of the golfing public hasn't changed much. Golf courses haven't been rendered obsolete. The pro tours adapted a policy restricting COR values of drivers, rendering those clubs not eligible for use on tour. Overall, not much has changed despite the frantic railings at the time.

I kind of look at the A-rig the same way as that ERCII driver. If it enhances your enjoyment and you don't get paid to use it, then go for it. My personal inclination is not to use the A-rig, but I must admit I am waffling a little bit. If I am fishing a tournament on Okeechobee and competitors are using it then I may have to get with the program.

if its allowed,you would have to use one to compete

[Al Wolbach]

The bottom line as I see it.

Large, large numbers of these rigs have been sold at $10 to $30 ea, millions of swimbaits and other lures sold just to use with the rig. How many swimbait or other heavy rods, how many spools of 65 lb braid by fishermen that don't fish braid? How many new reels just for this rig? The A Rig is not going away........Period.

Outlawed in local tournaments. Some will use it anyway, without regard to a lie detector test. I have fished hundreds of tournament that gave lie detector test and can not recall anyone failing, just saying, who knows?

I will be 65 on my upcoming birthday and I can't recall this much excitement ever about a new technique and I think it's great for the sport. In the end, the fish will survive and a lot of fishermen are having fun and I think that is what its all about.............................Al