Ideal places to throw the Alabama rig are ambush points along deep structure. On reservoirs, this includes ledges, humps, bridges, bluff walls, and over brush piles. On natural lakes, ideal Alabama rig spots are points, deep grass lines, deep breaks, and offshore rock piles.
Where to fish the Alabama rig?
Where To Fish The Alabama Rig Ideal places to throw the Alabama rig are ambush points along deep structure. On reservoirs, this includes ledges, humps, bridges, bluff walls, and over brush piles. On natural lakes, ideal Alabama rig spots are points, deep grass lines, deep breaks, and offshore rock piles.
When is the best time to throw the Alabama rig?
The Alabama rig does its most damage once water temperatures drop in the late summer, and stays hot through the pre-spawn. Fish will definitely bite it all year long, but the best times to throw it are when the bass are suspended, grouped up, and feeding on shad. Ideal places to throw the Alabama rig are ambush points along deep structure.
Where is the best place to throw an umbrella rig?
Because of this Alabama rigs are typically fished in open water, either near or above cover. Since umbrella rigs are designed to mimic schooling baitfish the best place to throw an a-rig are areas where baitfish are holding in your lake. The great thing about a-rigs is they will still work even if you can’t find baitfish on your lake.
Is the Alabama rig too effective?
Ever since that late fall smack down, the Alabama rig has been embroiled in a storm of monster fish catches, and high controversy from anglers saying it’s actually too effective.
Where can I fish an Alabama rig?
Where To Fish The Alabama Rig. Ideal places to throw the Alabama rig are ambush points along deep structure. On reservoirs, this includes ledges, humps, bridges, bluff walls, and over brush piles. On natural lakes, ideal Alabama rig spots are points, deep grass lines, deep breaks, and offshore rock piles.
What do you throw an Alabama rig on?
1:286:04Learn How to Rig and Throw the Alabama Rig - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt in varying water water uh you know depth. And of course you have your swim baits. These are theMoreIt in varying water water uh you know depth. And of course you have your swim baits. These are the 3.8 in the rib. Now you're throwing one that's actually got to slick. No ribs a smaller profile.
Where is the Alabama rig legal?
In addition to Arkansas, other states that allow the five-lure version of the Alabama rig include Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Florida, Connecticut, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan and New York, according to spokesmen for those states' fisheries departments.
When should you throw a rig?
1:393:48Alabama Rig Bass Fishing - When & How to Fish an A-Rig - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYes the main reason is the rule is any anything that goes into the boat stays in the boat. I gotMoreYes the main reason is the rule is any anything that goes into the boat stays in the boat. I got money for it. I appreciate that yeah so we so you're you're using like what about size like that's huge
What rod is best for Alabama rig?
In general terms, for Alabama Rig fishing rods you're going to need: A 7' 8" foot fishing rod that is at least medium heavy power and with rod action in the moderate to fast action. Your rod blank and rod hardware should be capable of handling anywhere between 20-65 pound braided line.
How many Poles can you fish with in Alabama?
three rodsIt shall be unlawful for any angler to fish with more than three rods and reels, or poles, or any combination thereof on Weiss Reservoir or Neely Henry lakes at any time.
Can you fish an Alabama rig from the bank?
1:1910:30Bank Fishing with Alabama Rig! (Spring Bass Fishing) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause it's a deep water bait it's meant for schooling fish but i've heard that fish are feedingMoreBecause it's a deep water bait it's meant for schooling fish but i've heard that fish are feeding young shiners out here right now out of the banks.
Can you throw an Alabama rig in Wisconsin?
That means this rig would not be legal to use in Wisconsin if the angler has a separate hook, bait or lure attached to each of the five wires as shown in advertisements and You-Tube videos. However, the rig would be legal if not more than three hooks, baits or lures are attached.
Can I use an Alabama rig in Michigan?
The Department of Natural Resources would like to make anglers aware that Alabama rigs (also known as “umbrella” rigs) are legal to use in Michigan. The Alabama rig is typically used for fishing bass, walleye and other popular species.
Are Alabama rigs good in winter?
Cloudy winter days with a slight breeze and water clarity of 3 to 5 feet are ideal conditions for throwing the Alabama rig. Key spots to throw the A-rig for wintertime bass are bluff ends, channel swings next to bluffs, deep docks along channel swings and brush piles on main and secondary points.
How many hooks can you have on a Alabama rig?
These rigs may be used but only with up to three hooks. (Each bait or lure counts as a hook.) The additional wires and attachment points can be used. However, whatever is attached may not include a hook.
What size hooks for Alabama rig?
Therefore, it appears you can use an Alabama rig in Tennessee only if (1) it has three or fewer lures or baits or (2) the hooks you use on the rig are size 6 or smaller or (3) if you choose to use a bigger hook, then only one bait or lure can have a hook in it and it must be a single hook.
What line should I use for a rig?
Braided line was the go-to when umbrella rigs first hit the scene, and it still has a place when you're fishing the rig shallower or around grass, but fluorocarbon is the standard now. Typically, 16- or 20-pound-test will get the job done very well. It's more forgiving than braid and less obtrusive in the water.
What size wire is used for Alabama rig?
It is built of a wire that meters out between 18-19 gauge in thickness and weighs right around 1.25 ounces out of the package.
How do I set up an Alabama rig?
0:382:39How To Setup The Umbrella Rig With LakeForkGuy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost umbrella rigs come with one longer Center arm and that's where you want to place your CenterMoreMost umbrella rigs come with one longer Center arm and that's where you want to place your Center swim bait don't bend that one just leave that one alone take the other arms.
How do you throw a rig?
3:3318:29Winter A-Rigs (Beginner Tips AND Advanced Rigging Tricks) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can get bit. But a way to really increase your bites is to get an a rig that has a lot ofMoreYou can get bit. But a way to really increase your bites is to get an a rig that has a lot of movement. So when you're reeling it give it some rod twitches or some real twitches.
When to fish Alabama rig?
When To Fish The Alabama Rig. The Alabama rig does its most damage once water temperatures drop in the late summer, and stays hot through the pre-spawn. Fish will definitely bite it all year long, but the best times to throw it are when the bass are suspended, grouped up, and feeding on shad.
How to fish Alabama bass?
One of the best things about the Alabama rig is that it doesn’t require a ton of experience to effectively fish it. The key is to keep the bait up in the water column, around or slightly above the level of the fish. Simply cast it out, count it down to the depth you suspect the fish are at, and slowly wind it back. The strikes are incredible, and bass will often come from a long distance to bite when they are feeding aggressively.
How many ounces of jig heads for 5 wire rig?
A good starting place for a 5 wire rig is to use ¼ ounce jig heads on the two bottom and center wires, and 1/8 or 3/16 ounce jig heads on the top two wires. At the business end, thread on your favorite paddle tail swimbait, while trying to match the size of the prevailing baitfish population.
How to keep a rig from spinning?
To prevent the rig from spinning, use heavier jig heads on the bottom wires, and lighter (or weightless) jig heads on the top.
How many wires are there in a swimbait?
They come in a multitude of sizes, from 2 to 12 wires of differing lengths. The trick is to attach a swimbait to the end of each wire, thus creating the “school of baitfish” effect when reeled through the water column. Depending on different state laws and regulations, anglers will use as many hooked swimbaits as they can, ...
How much bait do you need to fish in Alabama?
If you add up the weight of 5 swimbaits, 5 jig heads, and the rig – you’ve got a minimum of 3 ounces for most Alabama rigs, so it takes stout tackle to effectively fish. Most top anglers rely on a 7 foot 6 inch or longer flipping stick, paired to a high-speed reel spooled with either 65 pound braid or 20 pound fluorocarbon (whichever is your preference).
What lures were used in the 80s?
Over the years, there have been a number of techniques or lures that take the bassing world by storm. In the late 80’s, it was the Sluggo, in the 90’s it was the Senko, followed in the new millennium by the Chatterbait and the drop shot. During each such rage, initial dominant tournament catches spurred a rapid explosion in sales, followed by each residing to a more regular existence in the vast majority of angler’s boxes.
States with a 2 Hook Limit
Arizona, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Dakota, and Vermont all have a 2 hook limit for Alabama rigs.
States with a 3 Hook Limit
Califonia, Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming all have a 3 hook limit for Alabama rigs.
States with a 5 Hook or No Limit
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia all have a 5 hook or no limit for Alabama rigs.
What size rod should I use for Alabama fishing?
If I were to create a set up for fishing an Alabama rig I would get a longer rod (at least 7'6") with a heavy power, yet make sure it has a tip with a decent bend. The softer tip helps a lot with casting and setting the hook. 20-25lb fluorocarbon will probably work well. I would get a 6.0:1-6.5:1 gear ratio reel. Most of the time you fish it slowly or on a medium retrieve so you don't want to overwork the rig with a fast reel.
What weight rods do you need for a swimbait?
Several companies make A-rig specific rods and several companies make swimbait rods in that weight class that aren't crazy expensive. Heavy flipping sticks and 10XD cranking rods probably work but rods meant for that heavy weight are going to handle it better. Any reel that will hold 100yds of heavy mono should work.
Can you use a rig on the Potomac?
Before using the Alabama rig on a body of water check with authorities on if they are allowed. They are a no no on the tidal Potomac.
Can you throw swimbaits on an Alabama rig?
Any rod designed to throw big swimbaits in general will probably work well for fishing an Alabama rig. Just don't get some cheap rod that will break just from casting since the rig is so heavy.
When is the best time to throw an umbrella rig?
The best places to throw an umbrella rig are where the bass are feeding on shad, and seasonally the best times are in the cold water seasons of spring and fall. 2.
What is umbrella rig?
The umbrella rig excels at drawing bass in from a far away. It’s got a huge profile and looks like a school of baitfish. To maximize its drawing power, keep the rig up high in the water column so more bass can get a look at it.
How long should a 5 wire rig be?
Use a rod and reel that are up to the task. Ideal umbrella rig rods should be 7 ½ to 8 feet long, heavy or extra heavy power, and paired with a heavy duty baitcaster in a low gear ratio (5.4:1). There’s a lot of money rigged on that thing as well – so use at least 20 pound line if you opt for fluorocarbon, or 50 pound if you’re a braid lover.
How many hooks per bait?
Pay attention to the fishing laws in your state, and rig up appropriately. Many states only allow three hooks per bait – and umbrella rig anglers in those states have to use 3 wire versions, or rig up dummy baits (with no hook) on two of the wires.
How to choose jig heads?
When choosing jig heads, use heavier weights on the two bottom wires, and lighter weight jig heads on the top two. Doing so will prevent the rig from spinning on the retrieve, and also minimize the number of fouled casts as it lands in the correct position more frequently.
Is the umbrella rig legal?
All controversy aside, the castable umbrella rig is legal across most of the country – and it’s a heck of a tool for catching bass when in the hands of a skilled angler. For that reason, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a little guide on how to set it up, and how to effectively fish it.
Is the umbrella rig a lightning rod?
In just a few short years, the castable umbrella rig has turned into a lightning rod across the bass fishing community. Its ability to catch bass (and big ones) as well as its controversial nature have placed it front and center in many angler circles – and although many lures claim to have been banned by tournament organizations ...