Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Lets just go ahead and find out where the majority lies on GreatLakesBass.com. I'm curious and there will be lots of discussion now that B.A.S.S. has made a move.

I really don't see a legitimate reason why it shouldn't be legal. It's just one of many fads to come and go. Who wouldn't want to possibly catch a 5 fish limit in a single cast? An angler could land 2 keepers on a crankbait, and nothing is said, there are no rules against it. It is the same principle. You are fishing, trying to put as many big fish in the boat as possible, so as long as you are legally taking fish, there should be nothing said.

Not letting the Alabama Rig be used is as ridiculous as not being able to drop shot on Muskegon, White, and Mona.

I have kind of mixed feelings on the A-rig....I think it could possibly open a can of worms with multiple lures.....How far could it go..??
I look at it somewhat like trolling....

As far as BASS banning the rig....It is their "game"...as long as the rules are enforced consistently then I don't have a gripe....

I will give them a try in the spring and see what happens if they stay legal for local tournaments..

Interesting... dead heat at 4-4 so far.

Well,

To me it's funny
For BASS you need a 60k boat, two 10" screens up front and a 10" SI in the console, 200 dollar rods and 20 dollar sq. bill crank baits in every color.

But you can't fish a Alabama Rig for the reason it catches to many fish
and that's not skillfull?

It's a big step backwards

THe good part would be
If there that worried about the rig
I'm getting excited about throwing it this spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not going to vote "yes" or "no" because I think it be up to the tournament director/ruling board.  As was said earlier... it's their "game" and if they don't want it... so be it.

I think we here in Michigan have bigger issues to "vote" on.  Closed season?  Why... it really does nothing it is designed to do.  Drop shotting on Michigan lake shore lakes?  Again, doesn't do what it was "designed to do," none of us are out there trying to snag salmon.  I think these two issues should be put to a "vote" by those in power to make the changes before we worry about the A-rig.

Why ban it?  Its like trolling.  How. Please elaborate how throwing an a rig is like trolling.  Because you can throw many baits at once?  If its legal in that state so what. I didnt read or hear about elite series pros setting up rods in rod holders and making trolling passes with these things.  Its just a tool that works sometimes.  Its not a magic bait that produces 5 fish casts everytime you throw it.   Double fluke rigs and drop shotting with a jig for a weight is also out.  How abou tbanning side imaging and map chips.  When in a couple hours you can pick apart structure and fish the high percentage fish holding areas.  Before that technology it took skill, a little imagination and a lot of time to find those areas. I would never say ban it. How about scent you apply to baits? Or better yet the hydrowave?  Now there is a good one.  A device you place in the water to turn fish on to feed through audio cues.  Thats ok but if you throw an a rig and  turn fish on through viual cues thats not right.  Its trolling, using live bait ect.  I wouldnt ban the hydrowave either but it may happen......  Bottom line it still takes skill and a little imagination to fish this correctly and in the right situation.  Sure average joe can get lucky with it.  He or she can get lucky with any bait.  Im off my soap box now

I bought one of the rigs as soon as they came out and am truly excited to try it....that being said at the show last weekend while attending the Q&A session with KVD...he made mention of something that really has me thinking.  He said while speaking of the A-Rig and the Guntersville tournament where it got all of the attention...that there was loads and loads of footage that BASS couldnt show with multiple fish being caught where the fish were getting tore up.  Sounded like gashes to the sides and similar to me, with that many hooks in a concentrated area and multiple fish fighting for them it is bound to happen.  Something i am sure BASS considered while making the decision to ban it from competition.

I voted yes, but in the context of what B.A.S.S. is trying to do. The intention was to hold the Elite series Anglers to a higher standard and that I applaud. I my case, I could use a gill net and not get the weight! ;D
DD

I voted yes and have a bunch made that will be fun to use.  Been throwing it off my breakwall with different baits.  Sure looks good.    Guess it must not be to bad on the fish because it is not banned in all BASS events.

" The rule change, which does not apply to Bassmaster Open, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, College B.A.S.S. and other events, " 

As far as hurting fish. If you watch tournys on TV you will see many bass foul hooked on crankbaits and go right in the livewell.   

Quote from: bassfan586 on January 19, 2012, 12:28:43 AM
Why ban it?  Its like trolling.  How. Please elaborate how throwing an a rig is like trolling.  Because you can throw many baits at once?  If its legal in that state so what. I didnt read or hear about elite series pros setting up rods in rod holders and making trolling passes with these things.  Its just a tool that works sometimes.  Its not a magic bait that produces 5 fish casts everytime you throw it.   Double fluke rigs and drop shotting with a jig for a weight is also out.  How abou tbanning side imaging and map chips.  When in a couple hours you can pick apart structure and fish the high percentage fish holding areas.  Before that technology it took skill, a little imagination and a lot of time to find those areas. I would never say ban it. How about scent you apply to baits? Or better yet the hydrowave?  Now there is a good one.  A device you place in the water to turn fish on to feed through audio cues.  Thats ok but if you throw an a rig and  turn fish on through viual cues thats not right.  Its trolling, using live bait ect.  I wouldnt ban the hydrowave either but it may happen......  Bottom line it still takes skill and a little imagination to fish this correctly and in the right situation.  Sure average joe can get lucky with it.  He or she can get lucky with any bait.  Im off my soap box now

I didn't mean to come across that fishing an A-rig was like trolling...I meant that the ruling and thought processes could be along the same lines for the reasoning behind the ban....Trolling for bass is a perfectly legal way to fish for Bass in Michigan but it is banned in tournament bass fishing for various reasons.....

I think I will invent a fishy looking lure and call it the gill net! Thanks DD! That one could really sell big AND be banned in some tournaments! ;D

I don't know about the gashing hooked fish thing?? I mean, hooking them at all you can hook them in the tongue, the eye, the gills, along the outside of the body. I still believe this is more of a 'we're better' move than anything else. I've always thought those kinds of moves end up counterproductive. And I agree with people who are catching on to this and pointing out the 'where does it end?' kind of responses.

If they really want one angler, one lure, then they need to use only single arm/body lures with only one hook. Even considering KVD's comments. Crankbaits and jerkbaits hook fish on the outside ALL THE TIME. I'm not buying any of the stated reasons. They would have been much better off to just pick a '# of hooks' limit rather than risk cramping sales of a hot new lure in an already brutal tackle market that can definitely use an infusion of new sales.

I don't think the right people thought this through very well despite the stated process. They would hate me on that 'committee' because I would have immediately called for a similar ban on spinnerbaits and multiple hook hard baits if they actually meant what they were saying. I would probably have gone as far as suggesting a ban on the hydrowave and side imaging too. Ridiculous, right? That's my point.

Having been on many committees myself over the years as I'm sure many of you have too, sometimes committees just need something to do too. I'm sure FLW will not follow suit and I'm glad they won't. If I had spare time, I would spend it on enforcing the rules they already have for safety, sportsmanship, off limits, no information, etc. That would do more for the integrity and fairness of the sport than outlawing any particular artificial lure.

To me, banning a specific lure because it is 'too' effective is a lot like banning underwater video or fishfinders.

Quote from: blakstr1 on January 19, 2012, 08:24:31 AM
I bought one of the rigs as soon as they came out and am truly excited to try it....that being said at the show last weekend while attending the Q&A session with KVD...he made mention of something that really has me thinking.  He said while speaking of the A-Rig and the Guntersville tournament where it got all of the attention...that there was loads and loads of footage that BASS couldnt show with multiple fish being caught where the fish were getting tore up.  Sounded like gashes to the sides and similar to me, with that many hooks in a concentrated area and multiple fish fighting for them it is bound to happen.  Something i am sure BASS considered while making the decision to ban it from competition.

I'm confused by these comments because Guntersville was an FLW event that Kevin doesn't participate in?? I question that he had any in depth knowledge of FLW Outdoors footage?? All I saw on the show was one long infomercial for the Alabama Rig catching big bass after bass after bass, and only one angler having breakage problems. If I was a lure maker, I would kill for coverage like that of my new lure that has the market cornered at the beginning!!!

I've heard nothing about a bunch of bass being gashed. I really like Kevin a lot, but this sounds like a marketing campaign for the rule change not actual real world results - the fine print stuff. I know he is a hard supporter of B.A.S.S. and I understand why he does that.

I think this will end up making FLW Outdoors look better than B.A.S.S. in the end anyway. Sometimes, you can try to hard, but if they really have a majority of the Elite Series anglers who support that change, then that's what B.A.S.S. has to do. I understand that too.

Pretty strong ban vote. Stronger no ban vote so far. Interesting. Thanks for voting.

i bought one and can't wait to use it next season. would it be different if the jigs were soldered right to the wire making it one piece, we could even dunk it in a big vat of plastic and make it look like one big plastic bait with wire for reinforcement.

fish-on

Quote from: djkimmel on January 19, 2012, 01:40:41 PM

Quote from: blakstr1 on January 19, 2012, 08:24:31 AM
I bought one of the rigs as soon as they came out and am truly excited to try it....that being said at the show last weekend while attending the Q&A session with KVD...he made mention of something that really has me thinking.  He said while speaking of the A-Rig and the Guntersville tournament where it got all of the attention...that there was loads and loads of footage that BASS couldnt show with multiple fish being caught where the fish were getting tore up.  Sounded like gashes to the sides and similar to me, with that many hooks in a concentrated area and multiple fish fighting for them it is bound to happen.  Something i am sure BASS considered while making the decision to ban it from competition.

I'm confused by these comments because Guntersville was an FLW event that Kevin doesn't participate in?? I question that he had any in depth knowledge of FLW Outdoors footage?? All I saw on the show was one long infomercial for the Alabama Rig catching big bass after bass after bass, and only one angler having breakage problems. If I was a lure maker, I would kill for coverage like that of my new lure that has the market cornered at the beginning!!!

I've heard nothing about a bunch of bass being gashed. I really like Kevin a lot, but this sounds like a marketing campaign for the rule change not actual real world results - the fine print stuff. I know he is a hard supporter of B.A.S.S. and I understand why he does that.

I think this will end up making FLW Outdoors look better than B.A.S.S. in the end anyway. Sometimes, you can try to hard, but if they really have a majority of the Elite Series anglers who support that change, then that's what B.A.S.S. has to do. I understand that too.

guess i did confuse things a bit....forgot that was indeed an FLW event.  I'm sure someone else here will read this that attended the Q&A and maybe can give a better report as to what Kevin said....what can i say i was thinking about getting some of the fried fish at the time  ;D  anyway i do remember him talking about how they had to be careful how they broadcasted the event because many of the fish were tore up...but at the end he did say "I will be throwing one" of course that was before the ban.

What about the Hydro Wave.  Oh wait Kevin and Jeff Kriet own that company.  never mind

For those of you who are going to fish the A-Rig on St. Clair, make sure you have a few of them.  I'm sure the Muskie will tear that thing apart.

Quote from: Jay-MadWags on January 19, 2012, 07:33:33 PM
For those of you who are going to fish the A-Rig on St. Clair, make sure you have a few of them.  I'm sure the Muskie will tear that thing apart.

You know,
I've always thought it looked like a perfect pike magnet myself

But with 65# braid and a wire leader you should be able to land what ever hit's it.

Quote from: Manxfishing on January 19, 2012, 09:02:43 PM

Quote from: Jay-MadWags on January 19, 2012, 07:33:33 PM
For those of you who are going to fish the A-Rig on St. Clair, make sure you have a few of them.  I'm sure the Muskie will tear that thing apart.

You know,
I've always thought it looked like a perfect pike magnet myself

But with 65# braid and a wire leader you should be able to land what ever hit's it.

A big pike or musky will bend and wreck an alabama rig for sure.  That's why I have two!  LOL!!

I gotta agree w. Mike on this one...I see no reason to ban it

I see variations of the rig catching all kinds of big fish in all kinds of situations. I'm a little leery about the big muskie on St. Clair. They will probably eat the whole thing at once! Better have 3 maybe?

FLW Outdoors president Kathy Fennel made it clear the Alabama Rig is legal in all FLW events this year - http://www.greatlakesbass.com/tournaments/index.php/2012/01/21/flw-outdoors-says-no-alabama-rig-ban

She says they've taken additional steps that sound good and reasonable to me - let each state fisheries people dictate what is legal to fish with for lures.

Today, FLW Outdoors printed two opposing opinions pieces by Jay Yelas and Dave Lefebre. I thought Jay Yelas did a great job of explaining how I feel about it. I only agreed a little with a couple of Dave Lefebre's many points.

Jay Yelas for: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-articles/blog/153217/alabama-rig-blog-innovation-cannot-be-stopped/

Dave Lefebre against: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-articles/blog/153216/alabama-rig-blog-one-rod-one-bait-one-legacy/

I listened to a pod cast by Rick Clunn today.  He said bass fishing was stagnent and not hing as new and exciting.  He is happy the A rig has brought some excitement to fishing.  His feeling are it will not change fishing forever.  He remembers when graph fish finder came around.  Everyone said they would ruin fishing and catch all the fish in the lake.

Lefebre  sure has put a lot of effort in downplaying it.

I sometimes think when people don't have a real strong standing in their argument, they take a lot longer to not get there. That's just me anyway. And I've been accused of that a 'few' times too.

let's give this rig a chance for us up in this part of the area before we go banning on tournaments..

sheesh, its just another fishing lure and its the fisherman that catch the fish.  we got a ton of people making knock-offs, another ton buying up, all we are saying is give the piece a chance.... ;D

btw - i hope u'all will post pics when the season is upon us what your catching on the a-rig. i believe that will be very interesting.

I'm with Yelas, Dan K., and dartag.  All good points.  And yes, the Hydrowave. 

I say yes for a goofy reason but here it is when we get to the point of only needing 1 rig in the boat it does take some of the thought process out of the game, boring, with that said we all know how everyone adheres to the catch and release season ha! (st. clare right now) when the non tournament fisher people use it I personally think that non catch and release folks could devastate a fishery.
dont want to get beat up just an opinoin have a nice day all I think you all have good points!!

I am guessing those that say "ban it" have never actually tried it.

Last weekend we went down to Kentucky for a long weekend of fishing (since the Michigan ecconomy does not want our money).

We threw the a-rig as well as other stuff.  A-rig did catch fish, but we had much better results on other techniques.  It will be a tool, that will catch good fish at the right times, but it is not as simple as "chuck it out and catch 20 lbs every cast".

What SethV said!

And stubbs4short, glad you shared your opinion. No one should beat anyone up and usually almost all of us on here do a great job of that! Thanks! But remember, if someone disagrees with a particular point and states why, that is not getting beat up. That is just an opposing opinion. We can all use as many opinions as possible. It's what makes us think things through now... or maybe eventually anyway!

Quote from: stubbs4short on April 04, 2012, 08:15:23 AM
I say yes for a goofy reason but here it is when we get to the point of only needing 1 rig in the boat it does take some of the thought process out of the game, boring, with that said we all know how everyone adheres to the catch and release season ha! (st. clare right now) when the non tournament fisher people use it I personally think that non catch and release folks could devastate a fishery.
dont want to get beat up just an opinoin have a nice day all I think you all have good points!!

For those who are worried about "meat fisherman" devastating a fishery with the A-rig, I think we need to look more of technical aspects of the rig. After throwing the rig for a good amount of time, it totally changes your view on the "simplicity of the rig". For one, not all rods and reels are capable of throwing the rig. A baitcasting reel and a broomstick of a rod are almost needed to throw the 2.5+ oz bait. I only have 1/8oz heads and my 7'6" MH mojo is being pushed hard. Secondly, I think I would be hard to cast the rig if you weren't standing. Strong body posture is need to lob the rig effectively(the rig can be taxing to throw for a long period of time). You can't just flick it out there. More times then not when I come across meat bass fisherman, they are fishing out of an aluminum boat with their stringer hanging outside of the boat. I also tend to see the boat full of people with each person having a medium spinning rod in their hand, not 12 rods laying out of the deck of the boat with varying line size and length. Some might say you could just troll with it. Yes you could, but it would be to a degree of difficulty. Having 5 baits on at once still can get messy and the rig can tangled up. Those who don't have the rig or right tackle would also have to invest a good amount of money into the technique, which would detour some. Also after hours of fishing my neighbors private pond I have only caught 1 on the rig. There is no "magic bullet here"

 Well said! May I add. If I can tie,add, fasten or accumulate an Ora of lures. That are all on one line, and fish it.  I will vote no!

 If Bass is worried about fish being hurt why dont they alow nets so fish wont be jerked up out of the water and dropped on dry carpet to flop around while the angler celebrates? I would have liked to seen them fish the A rig 1 full season before the ban , but that is there call.

My understanding is B.A.S.S. took out the nets to get more dramatic camera work for a longer time during the televised events? I'm not sure I could find someone to confirm that is the main reason. Seems like when it was done they said it would make things more sporting and challenging for the anglers?

It isn't the best thing to drop the bass on a dry carpet. It would probably be somewhat better for the bass to use the softer, rubber coated or non-snag nets to land them. I don't like the idea of all those sharp, strong hooks trying to snag me either.

Not sure how much it can hurt a bass with the hoist? Depends on the size of the bass and where it is hooked maybe? If you use the bass' momentum right, it might not be that bad, but I like the wet, soft net much better. The kind that is less likely to shred their fins too.

I'm still waiting to see more information and maybe my own results on how much the umbrella rigs snag or slash the bass caught on them. I've had a couple say it happens but haven't seen it yet. Didn't see it with the peacock bass. Maybe it doesn't happen anymore than with say, a crankbait or jerkbait?

I really think BASS was really worried about having a season where everyone only uses one bait. They make money selling advertising (in publications, articles, on TV, the web site, at the events, fantasy fishing), so do the pro anglers with sponsorships. If the pros ended up just using A-rigs all the time to be competitive, it would be very detrimental to their economic engine and to the pros economic futures too. They have a lot to lose if it turns out not to be another hot lure of the year.

Without really understanding the long term effectiveness or impact of the rig, it was less risky to ban it right away at the Elite level than to wait and see if it was just another fad lure. By not banning it in the Opens, BASS gets a chance to see if it turns out to be a fad or something else, and not risk the main source of their income.

I voted yes.  I have many reasons but my biggest reason is I can see it being a game changer at the right time.  On that same note I have thrown it a bunch now and I might change my vote.  Its not going to be a lure that everyone throws all the time and its NOT the miracle bait that I once thought it was.  I'm not a small guy and I was tired of throwing it after 5 casts.  I think most guys are going to be the same way.  So like I said I really might change my vote,  I just want it to go away but It sure made for exciting forum topics on the off season.

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                   ;D

Quote from: UAWBigDog on April 15, 2012, 05:09:21 PM
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

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 ;D

Quote from: UAWBigDog on April 15, 2012, 05:09:21 PM
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                   ;D

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

Quote from: Manxfishing on April 15, 2012, 06:13:49 PM

Quote from: UAWBigDog on April 15, 2012, 05:09:21 PM
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.  

Quote from: customfishn on April 16, 2012, 04:26:13 PM

Quote from: UAWBigDog on April 15, 2012, 05:09:21 PM
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                   ;D

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.  

Quote from: djkimmel on April 15, 2012, 08:36:54 PM
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 ;D

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    :P                                                  ;D

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... 

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?

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?

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

Quote from: dartag on April 16, 2012, 07:33:43 PM
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!

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.                                      ;D 

Ya upset prob isn't the right word lol

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

 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.

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?

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


BD                   ;D

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

I guess you just offered the prize up!