The Alabama Rig???

[dartag]

Just watched FLW live and all the leaders are using the Alabama rig.  you can rig 5 baits on it.  would it be legal in michigan.   What will them southern boys think of next.


http://thealabamarig.com/

[FishermanJohn]

Don't know if it is legal here or not (I can't think of anything particular in the rules saying otherwise) but I'm imagining that thing on St. Clair after the wolfpack smallies!   

[bigjc]

hhhmmmm, that is very interesting.  I guess its worth a try.  Could be killer on schooling fish.

[Manxfishing]

It's worth a try

As far as being legal
In Michigan you can fish 5 hooks on one rod
I know Ohio is 3 hooks and I think Canada is 3 as well

Well
I checked
In Michigan it's 3 lines (rods) but no more then 6 hooks total
(they count a lure or crawler harness as one hook)
So in michigan it's a legal rig

Bought one
There back order only and there not cheap

[dartag]

One of the guys said it was 50.00 for the rig and baits he was using.  He was using 65lb braid so he could get it back if it hung up. 

[Manxfishing]

With the rig alone costing 25 bucks and then there's 5 baits
You could have 5 bucks in every bait for 50 bucks

And down south
Don't they fish 65# braid on half of what they throw?

[bigjc]

And down south
Don't they fish 65# braid on half of what they throw?

Yeah, until drop shottin' became popular, many southern anglers had no use for a spinning rod.  I fished with a guy in AR, who was a guide on Bull Shoals, and he didn't even have a spinning rod in the boat. 

[Dan]

I just got off the phone with my Alabama brother-in-law and he's going to go to my favorite bait shop in Alabama, West End, and see if they don't have a couple of A-rigs on the shelf. He's coming up for gun season so maybe I'll have one to look at soon.

[TCook]

No way your buddy will find you any down there, no doubt everyone who carries them are sold out by now. There is already a 5 week wait through the company. Just a matter of time before there are plenty of knockoffs out there I will just have to stay patient with this one. I think Nemesis should get on top of this for us local guys. This bait is the real deal and will dominate for the next couple years when the bass are offshore chasing bait.

[HellaBass]

Quite the rig, not legal in MN and would have to reduce to 3 in WI, but interesting concept

[djkimmel]

It'd be confusing up here in the Great Lakes region with all varied regulations - especially on places like St. Clair and Erie. I'll probably get around to trying it eventually. I'm way behind on trying new stuff already!

[TCook]

Very good article on the Alabama rig

http://blog.wired2fish.com/blog/bid/66380/Bass-Fishing-Opinion-Lasting-Implications-of-the-Alabama-Rig

[Waterfoul]

I for one hope this thing fades.  Or better yet... Michigan decides that it is not legal (seem like it is though).  I do not have the funds to buy these things or keep them rigged.  $50 a crack fully rigged?!?!?!?!?  No way am I paying that.  Then there's the sad fact that I could never throw this heavy bait for more than a short amount of time.  Thanks to a stroke and arthritis in both hands there is no way I could do it.

Call it selfish, but that's how I feel about the Alabama Rig.

We'll wait to see if BASS and FLW continue to allow anglers to use them in their tournaments.

[dartag]

I can't see cost being an issue.  Look at what luckycraft baits or swimbaits cost.  check out  Brians Prop Bee - $27.75 each.   Those with $$ will have them.

[Manxfishing]

It's interesting that at first I thought the benefit was its rig for catching schooling fish
And maybe multiple fish

After reading the article
Most of the guys throwing the rig thought the benefit was
Big bass were conditioned not to hit or chase single baits for the reason of being caught
But they would hit schools of fish (the rig). It's some thing that they haven't seen yet

It will be interesting to see if it's banned or the fish become conditioned not to hit the rig

Cost wise, I don't see it has a issue if it catches fish
But throwing a 3-5 oz rig will detour a few folks

[Waterfoul]

those of you who dont think it's espensive must have more disposable income than I do.

[djkimmel]

Depends on what types of water you fish most often and what level of tournament competition you are in too.

[TCook]

Sounds like most pros were throwing it on 65-80lb braid and the hooks would bend before the braid would break when snagged. In this case you would never lose the rig therefore it would not be expensive in the long run. Not to mention I think most scenarios the rig would work is on suspended fish in open deep water where snags are very unlikely. Would be more expensive to throw tube jigs for a weekend on St Clair or Erie.

[dartag]

Bet there are a lot of copies being made today.  Kind of like Biffle hard head.   Think i will order some stainless wire and swivels. 

[thedude]

theres dudes on BBC trying to get 100$-200$ a pop for one of them. lol