Thoughts on the Alabama Rig?

[Robert Pogue]

I know a lot of you guys on the forum are mostly trout/salmon fisherman but I really want to start this discussion and hear your opinion!

This article is on the Alabama rig http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-articles/blog/155250/farewell-to-the-alabama-rig/#.UlmgYxAlhEM

The article is pretty much about the FLW tour banning the Alabama rig. A setup where there are multiple baits on 1 line which looks like a school of fish. it's a proven fish catcher but there is a lot of different opinions on it. some say that its almost an unfair advantage and takes away the fun in the sport. while some say its a great invention that's changed the way people tournament fish.

I've had mixed thoughts on this setup to be honest. Although I feel like this is an excellent idea that can sometimes boost your chances on getting those extra bites. But, I also feel like it gives us to much of an edge. See, when I go fishing I like that challenge when you cast out that single lure and try and get the fish to bite with that SINGLE lure. If you bring out this rig it almost seems like you've increased your chances of catch because 1: Fish feed on schools of bait fish. Which this lure imitates. 2: If you've got 5 hooks on the line you've got a much better chance of hooking much more fish. It may sound good when you hear that. But, I personally like that challenge. Anyways, what do you guys think? I think it should be allowed, But be reviewed by the MNR who should make a rule on the amount of hooks allowed to be used. (Maybe they already have that in place. I don't know.) Anyways, what's your opinion?

 

[BASSMASTER19]

i dont mind them, its a lure which is good cuz it catches fish end of my story

 

[redneckchromer]

i saw a family of loogans far out east using these to try and snag nooks... lol was friggin hilarious

 

[usernamehere]

If it catches fish, then use it.

 

[hamiltonangler94]

Honestly im fine with it...i don't find its cheating, its still an artificial lure and ur still tricking the fish into thinking its food

 

[alwayscatching]

Yea but the problem with the FLW is that too many people were using like 3 attached to one another and having a lot of bait on them lol. Here in ONT we can only use 4 hooks I believe. I have used it with 3 hooks and caught bass on them. Fun lure and great way to produce fish, its really not cheating. To me it is kind of like the new Crankbait that has 3 shad in 1 Shell of the Crank.

 

[FishingNoob]

I wouldn't use it, but have no problem with others using it.

 

[staffman]

The one pictured would be illegal in ON since we can only use 4 hooks. Some come with 4 hooks for ON ,but I can't see myself using one.

 

[Kleiner]

I don't think it is an unfair advantage. There are many baits out there with a single hook that out produce the Alabama rig for me.

 

[fishing89]

I dont like fishing with chandeliers...it looks stupid

 

[buck]

I dont like fishing with chandeliers...it looks stupid

.

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

Never used one.

Its probably a lot like using a christmas tree for trout: you'll probably catch fish but you'll barely feel them hit or fight compared to when using a lighter setup.

With a bit more patience you can catch the same big bass with a single jig and plastic minnow as you would pounding the area with an bama rig...and it's really exciting when the fish hit. I think the main advantage of the bama is in tourny situations where your time is limited and you want to make your target immediately visible to as many bass as possible.

If there's something to be said for the bama rig it's that it has correctly identified the feeding habits of many big bass...With temperatures in Canadian lakes on the rise you'll find the biggest bass schooling baitfish deep. that being said though these bass will hit a minnow/jig combo even if they're keying in on schools...just like trout and walleye.

 

[IR4Jflyfishing]

I have tried the bama once, you really need a meatstick to throw them. I would fish a donkey rig 99% of the time over the bama...