I've used umbrella rigs off-shore for a variety of fish, usually as part of a spread. I have one setup for stripers, though I never use it. If I troll, it's mostly tube and worm. The Alabama Rigs (mini-umbrella) are all the talk now, though they will be banned in most tourny's this year. However, I was planning on experimenting with one tomorrow on pike. Never used one in freshwater before, and am just kinda curious. My general impression is that it is kind of "cheating," but everybody has thier preferences when fishing. If it catches fish, is legal and you enjoy it, why not? If you have a particular target in mind, throw it up here.
I bought 2 off of ebay from 2 different sellers. One from
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bass-Rig-5-Arm-Tested-in-Alabama-6-Wires-/330689218765?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfe9d08cd
I threw it out a few times today, but it wasn't really in the right conditions as it was cold and I was picking up hits with a pumpkin jig and creature bait dragging down an underwater drop.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bass-Rig-5-Arm-Tested-in-Alabama-6-Wires-/330689218765?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfe9d08cd
I threw it out a few times today, but it wasn't really in the right conditions as it was cold and I was picking up hits with a pumpkin jig and creature bait dragging down an underwater drop.
It is kinda like fishin with a grenade in that it removes any finesse or skill . I can see banning them from tournaments, but in most places I don't think it harms the fish populations. Live bait is also banned, but I never leave home without it when fishing with my young kids.
One question about this rig and fish populations.
Since you can hook multiple fish on this rig, what happens if your line breaks or knot slips?
Think those fish will survive?
Even if only one fish is on and the line breaks, when its swimming away, there is a good chance that more fish will still go after the other baits.
The Alabama rig should be banned! Period, the end!!!!
Since you can hook multiple fish on this rig, what happens if your line breaks or knot slips?
Think those fish will survive?
Even if only one fish is on and the line breaks, when its swimming away, there is a good chance that more fish will still go after the other baits.
The Alabama rig should be banned! Period, the end!!!!
i am not going to say that the rig is the right way to fish, but if we banned everything that was bad we could not fish at all. Do you really believe that plastic is good for a fish. Have you ever eaten a fish and checked the gut? I find worms, and all sorts of junk in the fish that we put there. The pro's use the best equipment, and most likely have very few breakoffs when using the rig because they will run very heavy line. If you want to preach, go with fishing respectfuly.
mac636 raised a legit issue with the breakoffs, though I imagine most people fishing them use such heavy braid that you could anchor your boat rather than break off. I'm not that fond of them in the salt water (hence the fact that my striper rig has hung in the garage for several seasons) because they are so bulky and have to be fished with such heavy gear. In big trolling spreads, they usually only employ a hook in the trail bait if at all. They are primarily teasers to bring a fish up into your other baits. I don't think they'll kill more fish than gut hooking etc., but I've got nothing to support this.
When we run speads we are using 80 lbs + line no break offs. On blues or stripers we use wire for weight to hold it down. Only time I had lost a rig was in the race when my buddy wasn't paying attention and we hooked the bottom. I have to agree takes some of the sport out of it.
When we run speads we are using 80 lbs + line no break offs. On blues or stripers we use wire for weight to hold it down. Only time I had lost a rig was in the race when my buddy wasn't paying attention and we hooked the bottom. I have to agree takes some of the sport out of it.
Im just lookin for another way to catchem,its always fun to catch largys on a new lure,or rigg ,didnt think about what would happin if it broke off with a fish on that would be horrible, so if i do get one i would def throw it on some heavy braid, dont want to hurt or kill no fish not my style!!