Alabama Rig.....Swims????

[ghostbaits]

After further review, it seems that the swims should be "headless" to fit the rig perfectly. Also need to have no hookslot to stay on well. I think most using it have settled on a 5" swim or thereabout.



I am thinking a swim similar to the Big Hammer.

Or....headless swim shad...



What do you guys that have used the A rig think?

These a-rigs are cool.....

Jim

[pjmcla]

This bait system is really interesting.  Freshwater striper fishermen have been using an almost identical system for "a while" as a trolling
bait set up. ( Google -  "Striper Umbrella Rig" ).  There are even "miniature versions" that are used for trolling for Crappie; ( and Whitebass in the tailraces of the TVA Dams ).  A "headless design plastic" glued to a matching head of correct weight seems to be an excellent way to go.   It definitely does have a certain "strike triggering" quality.  I personally have not thrown an Alabama rig, but I have trolled a couple of "mini striper rig" designs.   

[Dave]

I have not used the Alabama rig myself.  In Colorado we can only have three hooks to one line, so with that said I developed the Colorado Rig. LMBO  Check this out



I haven't got to try it out yet, so you guys have to tell me how they work.

[bribass]

all i know is this rig will break ALOT of records next year in the Elites

[Joebass]

Ditto on the headless swim shad, I like throwing lures that other people aren't. I'm waiting on the new sizes that Jason is working on and will be released soon.....I hope!!!!

[Fudd]

I have been using it for stripers for around a month.  I started out with 4" sassy shads and caught 1 and had 2-3 hooked that got off.  I did not like the action and changed to 3" curly tail grubs.  I liked them better and have caught 3 on it.  Lastly changed to 5" wutz-it and caught another one on it.  My buddy has stayed with the 4" sassy shads and has caught 10-12 on it.  With stripers I don't think it matters, but I would go with the swim shads.

Thanks,

Scott

[Denny Welch]

The last I heard the Alabama rigs are not legal in California...too many hooks.  Depending who you talk to out here, we can only use 2, maybe 3, hooks.  Does anyone know anything different for California?

[pjmcla]

Denny;
If you set the rig up "for one hook"; most of the strikes will occur on the center bait anyway. Put smaller baits on the four outriggers; and drop the center bait back a little more and use a larger bait on it.  Tennessee is a one hook state; and many still troll the umbrella rig there with good success.  Some change the style or color of the center bait as well. 
   

[ghostbaits]

I was thinking the same thing or thinking about adding just larger willow blades on the other arms for flash. Still only one hook...

Jim

[Dave]

The last I heard the Alabama rigs are not legal in California...too many hooks.  Depending who you talk to out here, we can only use 2, maybe 3, hooks.  Does anyone know anything different for California?

They are the same as Colorado. Here is CA rules:
 
" (a) Except as otherwise authorized, all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto. Anglers in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods in inland waters which regulations provide for the taking of fish by angling, except those waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used. See District Trout, Salmon and Special regulations for exceptions."

[Frank]

Well Jim I hae been one of the guys feeding into this madness. I hae my own version and guy use just about anything on them. I make two sizes and two head compounds. So I have had guys use 2"grubs all the way to 6" swim baits. The most popular for me is a minnow with a weighted hook. With these rigs your imagination is the only thing holding you back. One thing though 5 weighted heads like the hammer is a hand full. I have a lead head one that you an use unweighted baits with that works pretty well without much effort. Frank

[firetiger]

I decided to make my own.  I put five 3" Berkley swim shads on it.  They have the lead head and hook molded into the bait so you don't worry about the bait slipping off of the jig head.

The rig looks pretty cool in the water.  I've only fished it a small amount of time, but I caught a small striper on it.