POLL: Should the Alabama Rig be banned in bass tournaments

[Skulley]

I vote no because I think that using an Alabama Rig is cheating.  Plain and simple.  It's for people who can't catch a fish on one lure.  For the novice.  Not for people such as ourselves who are supposed to be "accomplished" in this sport.

Crazy?
But we all have our opinions

My thoughts are
It's a Tournament, the name of the game is to catch the 5 biggest bass
by any means that is legal on the waters. Period!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I myself see the elite series going backwards on this
People come to see or what to read about big bags

Is what I said really crazy???           I don't think so.  I definitely see your point.  They do want to see big bags.  I am no different.  I want to see quality fish.  More importantly I want to catch quality fish.  I am sure quality fish were caught in all the "As seen on T.V." lures too.......like the flying lure, banjo minnow, chatterbait, to name a few.  Who would have thought the chatterbait would have taken on the way it has.  What do all the gimmick lures have in common..............one hook.  This gimmick bait the Alabama Rig............five sometimes six hooks.  Now there are variations like the yumbrella.  WOW!!!  Legal or not, if it's got more than two hooks............it's cheating.  I use more than two because of the Bill Norman lure that you tied on the line of a top water.  I can't remember what that was called.  Also using a jig and pig for the weight of a drop shot rig.  Any more than that, it's cheating.  Right........just my opinion.  I won't be using the Alabama Rig in tournaments I fish.  I don't fish many tournaments but I won't be fishing the Alabama in that arena.  

I vote yes to the A-rig being banned in bass tournaments because I think that using an Alabama Rig is cheating.  Plain and simple.  It's for people who can't catch a fish on one lure.  For the novice.  Not for people such as ourselves who are supposed to be "accomplished" in this sport.


BD                  

I wish this site had a like button.  To the point.

Customfishn doesn't necessarily think I am so crazy.  Well, we're all a little crazy.  To the point.....absolutely.  Thanks for your support on that Custom.  

Remember now I am only talking about tournaments.  As I said earlier in the post, I won't be using it in a tournament legal or not because I think it's cheating and really doesn't show that I have skills to catch more and bigger bass.  Personally I want bigger.  Not more.  Some I know would rather catch many more 13 inch fish while I catch less fish but bigger fish only because they want to say, "I caught more fish than you."  I like to say back, "But I caught bigger fish than you."  But that's another topic somewhere here on the forum.  

My thoughts are
fishing castable umbrella rigs is fun! I like fun fishing! I'm going to be 'testing' them a bunch this year! Looking forward to it!

File me under
not afraid of change

Yes, I will be trying it for fun.  No one likes to have fun more than I.  You can call me Mr. Fun.  I think throwing them are going to be fun too.........especially the part where the fish bites and I catch it.  I have already made my own version of it and I will be trying it.  I am not afraid of change either, but I like to see good logical change. Not change just for the sake of change.  Change can be good and bad.  You try to work for good change.  Change has many faces.  



BD  aka Mr. Fun                                                      

[dartag]

As i have said before never has so much been said, written, money spent, sides taken for or against on something we have never used before.  I have been making them and casting them off my dock.  5 wires with 5 grubs or small minnows on a flipping rod with braid is something to cast.  you just kind of lob it out there and start reeling.  They sink pretty fast with the bigger baits.   Probably won't be much use until the bass are done bedding.  Looking forward to using them at Patoka lake in a couple weeks.   

bottom line is when you see them 5 baits come swimming at you it will make you smile... 

[bassfan586]

I used it late last fall.  Believe me i wasnt catchimg 5 at a time.  Hell its heavy to throw.  Maybe in the spring you might.  Its just a tool.  Hardly cheating in my opinion. What about kvd's gizmo that electronically simulates baitfish noise?  I forgot the name but isnt that cheating?  Whats the difference.  They are all tools that work in certin situations.  Not all the time.  Why are we not hearing about the southern bfl angles killing it with the a rig?  Or the bass opens?

[customfishn]

After the A-rig calms down I will be making the next super lure.  Starting next year I'm making a lure with a hand grenade,  the back hook is tied to the pin so when the fish hits it pulls the pin.  Who wants one?

[djkimmel]

I might not use that one. I let most of my fish go...

[MSURoss]

As i have said before never has so much been said, written, money spent, sides taken for or against on something we have never used before.  I have been making them and casting them off my dock.  5 wires with 5 grubs or small minnows on a flipping rod with braid is something to cast.  you just kind of lob it out there and start reeling.  They sink pretty fast with the bigger baits.   Probably won't be much use until the bass are done bedding.  Looking forward to using them at Patoka lake in a couple weeks.  

bottom line is when you see them 5 baits come swimming at you it will make you smile...  

Exactly people getting upset and haven't even thrown the rig!

[Skulley]

I don't see where anyone is "upset" here. We are just discussing a new technique, tool, whatever you would like to call the A-rig using what rational thought each of us can muster. I think this is great dialogue and I am happy to see so many different opinions and thoughts on the subject. Just people exercising their 1st Amendment rights.



BD.                                       

[MSURoss]

Ya upset prob isn't the right word lol

[dartag]

Maybe upset is not the proper wording.  For someone to say using one in a tourney is cheating when the state says it is legal is there opinion.   I will have one rigged all summer unless it is banned.  


Good thing is it is almost time to get off the Internet and go fishing

[Got Fish??]

 I guess we can debate until the cows come home. One thing is true . It is all up to B.A.S.S., In determining whether it is cheatting or not. I personally think it is not acceptable in tournaments. As far as throwing it for fun? I guess if dragging your Angkor rope with a gill net is fun, and you have a licence to do so. Go for it.

[djkimmel]

I really don't understand why anyone would think another new, exciting technique is cheating or unsportsmanlike just because it catches fish real when used at the right time in the right place like any other good technique?

It's not magic. It's not a net. It won't snag bass that don't try to bite or follow it. Good anglers will catch more bass with it and bad anglers will still probably not catch more bass with it. Like any other technique.

B.A.S.S. only said you can't use it in the Elite Series and the Classic. You can still use it in the Federation events and all the B.A.S.S. Opens. They didn't say it was cheating either. They just made a ruling on how many lures and angler can use at one time in their upper level events.

I wonder if there was anywhere near this much debate and even furor when the first striper angler thought of this rig and started trolling with it?

[Skulley]

After the umbrella rig it won't matter if you use an anchor and a gill net...............that may as well be legal too.     


BD                   

[dartag]

since they passed the new fireworks law the M-80 rig will be the next big thing.  

 I think Dan needs a contest of best photo of A-rig fish caught Saturday.  I will donate 5 jigs for the prize package.

Can't wait to throw that thing Tuesday morning on Patoka

[djkimmel]

I guess you just offered the prize up!