The Effectiveness Of The Alabama Rig

[J Francho]

"The effectiveness of the * rig"....to bring out the whining, LOL. It cracks me up how up in arms people get over it.

[J Francho]

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

There's a great post!

[TommyBass]

I agree both fish and fisherman will survive. Like I said, I don't think we have to worry too much about people commercially fishing largemouth on the recreational scene. Its already to the point where it will be impossible to police on a recreational level. DNR would have to sit back and observe every boat on every lake. From a distance its kind of hard to tell what they are throwing sometimes, looks like a large swimbait on the splash etc. From a 'fun fishing' standpoint... I don't think a whole lot needs to be done other than following state laws.

My argument is more for the tournament and competitive angle. Well see how it plays out.

I'll use it in a tournament if I have to, I'm not going to bow down to a whipping if someone else is using it to beat me. I can't wait to see how many guys have them on their decks come later winter early spring tournaments. Then sit there all proud and talk like they discovered it or something LOL.

Theres one thing we can all agree on, that this is making one heck of a splash.

[J Francho]

Theres one thing we can all agree on, that this is making one heck of a splash.

No kidding!

I think there are some misconceptions as well. Here is a typical umbrella rig, meant to be trolled while fishing for striper:

And here is the CASTABLE umbrella rig for bass fishing:

And those are big baits by my standards. Heck, I used a suggestion made by a friend to use 5" grubs, with great success.

To say that trolling that thing above is the same as casting the thing below is a stretch. Anyway, I see loooong armed spinnerbaits with several blades evenly spced out in the very near future. The cat's out of the bag, so to speak. Now that there are rules to define the boundaries to work inside, let the innovation begin. Mankind

[bigbassctchr101]

_{I agree about the multiple arm/bladed spinnerbaits. IMO it has nothing to do with the number of hooks on the bait, but what the bait represents. I think this can be with blades as well. It may not look as realistic, but it will get the schooling fish affect.}

[James Yalem]

IMO, each fisherman has to decide for him or herself what is, and what is not, sporting to use in bass fishing. Someday, modern technology will likely invent some lure or tool that catches bass and other fish every time its used where fish live. Some just want to catch fish and will use the best lure, bait or tool to do so. Others will want it to be a challenge. I thought that tournaments were supposed to be a challenge. Since the umbrella rig seems to take much of the challenge out of bass fishing, I agree with tournament directors banning it from their tournaments.

I, also, agree that since most bass fishermen practice catch and release, the use of an umbrella rig will not adversely affect bass populations. I am not against people using it, but I won't due to personal preference. Although in Missouri, it might be illegal to use with more than three hooks (treble hooks are one hook) at one time on one rod; not that anyone's odds of being caught are very high. OTOH, a court might consider one hook, like a rogue because it is only attached by one knot to the line; unlike a spider rig for crappie fishing.

[jig]

No kidding!

I think there are some misconceptions as well. Here is a typical umbrella rig, meant to be trolled while fishing for striper:

And here is the CASTABLE umbrella rig for bass fishing:

And those are big baits by my standards. Heck, I used a suggestion made by a friend to use 5" grubs, with great success.

To say that trolling that thing above is the same as casting the thing below is a stretch. Anyway, I see loooong armed spinnerbaits with several blades evenly spced out in the very near future. The cat's out of the bag, so to speak. Now that there are rules to define the boundaries to work inside, let the innovation begin. Mankind

no misconception- its the same exact thing downsized with 5 hooks

[J Francho]

no misconception- its the same exact thing downsized with 5 hooks

LMAO, making it castable. Sheesh.

[jig]

LMAO, making it castable. Sheesh.

LMAO, making it castable. Sheesh.

im not crying about it ,just saying for something thats supposed to be a sport fishery,throwing five hooks at once doesnt feel very sporting or take any fishing knowledge ! but hey,you gotta do what you gotta do to make your rod bend i guess !

[J Francho]

I can a bend out of my rod without flexing my keyboard muscles, or insulting others. To each his own.

[jig]

I can a bend out of my rod without flexing my keyboard muscles, or insulting others. To each his own.

i apologize if you were insulted ,you have helped alot of people on this site and i dont want to become a bad guy.I just cant agree on this issue.Bottom line is your right,to each his own.

[J Francho]

Did you read the original post in this thread, or did you just see the words * - rig in the title, and decide to post? Ask yourself that. Every thread that has been started by those using this rig has been inundated with haters. Give us a break. We get it - you don't like the rig. I don't like Senkos. I think they are FAR more dangerous than this rig is. Talk about a zero skill bait, LMAO. I guess even a blind squirrel finds a nut if he keeps searching. I see n00bs deep hooking them all the time, cut the line, and toss them back. They are doing actual damage to the fishery. Yet the Tx angler that carefully provides for the fish he takes, and releases those that go on a livewell ride gets harpooned for trying something different to gain an edge. It's legal here, and I intend to use it until it isn't legal or a tournament director says I can't. So far I haven't heard about ANY series besides the Elites that has banned, let alone some pocket change open or club circuit.

BTW, apology accepted.

[brushhoggin]

i'm going to dress in all black, wear night vision, and sneak into Richmond Mill with an A rig

[J Francho]

You realize they have shooting there as well, and are well armed, LOL.

[jignfule]

IMO, each fisherman has to decide for him or herself what is, and what is not, sporting to use in bass fishing. Someday, modern technology will likely invent some lure or tool that catches bass and other fish every time its used where fish live. Some just want to catch fish and will use the best lure, bait or tool to do so. Others will want it to be a challenge. I thought that tournaments were supposed to be a challenge. Since the umbrella rig seems to take much of the challenge out of bass fishing, I agree with tournament directors banning it from their tournaments.

I, also, agree that since most bass fishermen practice catch and release, the use of an umbrella rig will not adversely affect bass populations. I am not against people using it, but I won't due to personal preference. Although in Missouri, it might be illegal to use with more than three hooks (treble hooks are one hook) at one time on one rod; not that anyone's odds of being caught are very high. OTOH, a court might consider one hook, like a rogue because it is only attached by one knot to the line; unlike a spider rig for crappie fishing.

My friend, have you not ever heard of the Banjo Minnow.

[brushhoggin]

J, i've watched enough steven segal movies to pull it off

[J Francho]

As long as we all get to watch the security tapes. Lol

[loodkop]

Luremakers and anglers have been searching for the magic bullet forever. I personally don't buy lures or tackle to make it more difficult to catch fish because the fish themselves make it difficult enough. I don't believe TAR is a magic bullet either but it I do think that under certain circumstances it will make me a more effective angler. I fish a lot of weed choked waters where I would not even consider TAR. On the other hand I also fish a deep clear lake with lots of open water where I'm now catching bass I could not before. As long as it is within the rules I will use any technique that makes me more effective. I doubt that this will become my favorite technique but it is a tool to use. As to the amount of skill involved I noticed that not one of the BASS opens in 2012 has been won on a rig. Fish won't jump. Into the boat just because you have a rig tied on.

[J Francho]

I fish a lot of weed choked waters where I would not even consider TAR.

I imagine you occasionally flip these weed choked areas. Just think, that was banned by BASS years ago.

[ww2farmer]

I am pretty sure Paul Ellias was an unskilled newbie untill he picked up the A-rig. Talk about a flash in the pan who got lucky with the rig.

[bigbassctchr101]

I am pretty sure Paul Ellias was an unskilled newbie untill he picked up the A-rig. Talk about a flash in the pan who got lucky with the rig.

I first thought this was post of a newbie that knew nothing about fishing....Then I saw your post count and realized that this was entirely sarcastic!!!

Right??? lol

I actually had friends that went down to the FLW event and fished the same one as Paul. They tried the A-Rig and put it down because they caught only 2 striper in a couple hours. These guys were good fishermen! Actually, the guy that caught the stripers was practicing with Clausen. Not everyone can do it by just chunking and winding (there is some skill involved in catching the bigger better fish) and not everyone would be doing it now if they didn't see the success rates of it. It makes it a lot easier to throw 5 hours a day when you know your next fish could strike up a school and you could catch some monsters on it.

[ww2farmer]

I first thought this was post of a newbie that knew nothing about fishing....Then I saw your post count and realized that this was entirely sarcastic!!!

Right??? lol

I actually had friends that went down to the FLW event and fished the same one as Paul. They tried the A-Rig and put it down because they caught only 2 striper in a couple hours. These guys were good fishermen! Actually, the guy that caught the stripers was practicing with Clausen. Not everyone can do it by just chunking and winding (there is some skill involved in catching the bigger better fish) and not everyone would be doing it now if they didn't see the success rates of it. It makes it a lot easier to throw 5 hours a day when you know your next fish could strike up a school and you could catch some monsters on it.

Right................cause a high post count makes me an instant expert. If you looked close all but three of my posts are saying

" x2" to things I agree with.

[bigbassctchr101]

Right................cause a high post count makes me an instant expert. If you looked close all but three of my posts are saying

" x2" to things I agree with.

means nothing bout making you an expert. and I admit i didn't pay any attention at all to any of your other posts. was just saying that a higher post count could possibly make you more knowledgable than other guys that would say something like that and mean it exactly the way they said it IF they weren't in the "know" about fishing (again, not saying you know or don't know anything about fishing). Seeing you have been on here awhile, that doesn't make you an expert, knowledgable, or even smart...but does give light that you have at least read a little more about fishing than a lot of other people. It doesn't matter a bit to me what peoples opinions are on the rig or about anything about fishing or life. I just thoughy it was ironic to see, "

I am pretty sure Paul Ellias was an unskilled newbie untill he picked up the A-rig. Talk about a flash in the pan who got lucky with the rig. "

Turns out, you meant for it to be ironic. And i commented because I thought it was funny and an intelligent quirk.

[hatrix]

It's kind of funny to me that this is so huge now. I spent quite a bit of time last year throwing set ups I made with multiple baits. If it was possible for mento throw more then 1 of some thing I was trying it. Soft plastics, spinner baits, crank baits, jigs, top water, you name it. I have to say for the most part the more baits you can throw and do it effectively the better your chances. My only problem was not every thing I tried was not the best rig it could be. People might get creative and figure out how to throw 4 or 5 of everything.

[james 14]

Elias's win had nothing to do with him using the a-rig and everything to do with his hydrowave