Mike Worley Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 The walleyes are biting on BSL in shallow water (<10') We've be catching a few good sized walleyes on stickbaits. The real surprise is the new "Hot" technique that's really been working on BSL this winter. It's had the bass fishing world really going it's a weird looking contraption called a "Alabama Rig" or a "Bama rig" It looks similar to a "Umbrella rig" that striper fishermen have been trolling for many years but it's been modified for casting. It has 5 arms about 3"-5" long with snap swivels attached to clip on the baits. When slow rolled like a spinner bait it looks like a small school of shad moving though the water. Thursday was the first time I tried the "Bama" rig it took one cast to make a believer out of me with a 35-40 pound striped bass on that cast at about 1 PM. Later in the day we tried it again and caught a 19" walleye on it and a 21 incher on a stickbait. I had to make some adjustments in my rod & line set up to fish the "Bama" rig and tried it out yesterday afternoon. We tried suspending sticbaits, jigs, spoons & the "Bama rig". Nothing caught anything except the "Bama rig" which put a couple nice walleyes in the boat and a couple of others that got off before being netted. The ones that got off I think were due to my fishing partners rod & line set up. It takes a rod with lots of backbone and some pretty heavy braid to make it work right. I went to a 7' Xtra heavy action rod & 50# braid which seems to be about right for rigging with 4" twister tailed grubs on 3/0 worm hooks. Both days we saw other boats fishing the "Bama rig" so it's really becoming popular on Bull Shoals.
Mike Worley Posted January 8, 2012 Author Posted January 8, 2012 Gerry's Quik stop (870-492-5141) in Moutain Home carrys a knock off called "Bama Rig". Cost is about $10, they come in two sizes. I think the regular "Alabama rig" retails for about $25.
Larry Richards Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Gerry's Quik stop (870-492-5141) in Moutain Home carrys a knock off called "Bama Rig". Cost is about $10, they come in two sizes. I think the regular "Alabama rig" retails for about $25. No doubt the A-Rig is a fish catching rig,proof is all the tournaments that have been won the last 2 months here on Norfork but my concern is now that the meat fisherman on to the bait I just wonder what if any effect the increased take of keeper fish to the table will have on the fishery a few years down the road.
gotmuddy Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 No doubt the A-Rig is a fish catching rig,proof is all the tournaments that have been won the last 2 months here on Norfork but my concern is now that the meat fisherman on to the bait I just wonder what if any effect the increased take of keeper fish to the table will have on the fishery a few years down the road. nearly everyone who fishes norfork for bass does it for fun. if they wanted to fish for food bass on norfork is a losing proposition. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Larry Richards Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 nearly everyone who fishes norfork for bass does it for fun. if they wanted to fish for food bass on norfork is a losing proposition. Dude your fishing a different Lake Norfork than I am as of this fall.Even the Kids down the road was bringing home limits of bass on A-Rigs everyday during there Holiday break from school.I have been getting about 50% fish over 15" each day out.Right now I think Norfork is fishing better than Bull but then I spend more time on Norfork.
gotmuddy Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 I live 9 miles from boggy but I never fish norfork. my BIL fishes all the time on norfork, but he never invites me.... everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Larry Richards Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 I live 9 miles from boggy but I never fish norfork. my BIL fishes all the time on norfork, but he never invites me.... Here is a example this was just posted this morning on the BBC...had a terrific day today on Norfork. Fish are fairly shallow (at least today) and very healthy after a couple three years of high water in the spring. Caught 22 Keepers today (15" plus) and my sack of five topped the scales 16.20 lbs. No big fish , but really solid keepers. Caught fish on A*&^$#@-rig................Water temps are 47 to 51 degree's and color in main lake; Creek arms are little more stained, but still very fishable. Just wanted to pass this along so that if some of you guys are considering going, don't hold back; Fishing is good right now
Ham Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 The Alabama rig certainly seems to be RED HOT, but I think the fish will get wise to it in fairly short order. That doesn't mean it won't have a place in the arsenal, but I doubet it will stay as effective long term as it seems to be now. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
rangerman Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Increased take of keeper fish......huh?, I REALLLY doubt you'll have any problem.
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