Elites Ban A-Rig

[Sprint21fter]

I dont know what the big deal is with the A-rig. In all of the tournaments that I have been around state that only arficial lures can be used using one rod. The A-rig is 3-5 artifical lures that can be thrown on one rod. It's not live bait. It's the appearance of a school of bait and if the fish want to bite it they will. Fish don't eat every minute of the day. The A-rig doesnt' catch fish every cast or on every bank you fish.

[cullinby9]

I dont know what the big deal is with the A-rig. In all of the tournaments that I have been around state that only arficial lures can be used using one rod. The A-rig is 3-5 artifical lures that can be thrown on one rod. It's not live bait. It's the appearance of a school of bait and if the fish want to bite it they will. Fish don't eat every minute of the day. The A-rig doesnt' catch fish every cast or on every bank you fish.

First I don't know anyone that thinks its going to catch fish on every cast. Second the problem with it that I have is is the appearance of a school of slow moving bait. It simply increases the odds of fooling a fish playing on their natural instinct to ambush a ball of bait. I understand that all fishing is in its simplest form is fooling the fish. I think it takes the talent of fooling a bass to eat your lure completely out of it there by creating a playing field that makes locating the fish more important than having accurate casting, feel, technique that seperates the have's and the could have's. Ive been in the back of guy's boats that were all over the fish and didn't know because they couldn't get em to bite Heck Ive been there myself its frustrating but over the years I have developed things to do to make them bite not to the tune of the a-rig so now the ability to catch suspended fish is going to be undermined by a 5 lure rig were my 14 pounds used to be good in the fall will now be replaced by 18 pounds on the rig its only one big bite a day. It's frustrating that in the last ten years what I've learned about this lake when it gets tough is not going to be enough to compete with 5 lure at once.

[Iclass]

To qualify for the Elites an angler must finish in the top six of a division of the opens.The only way to qualify from the weekend series or the federation is to win the classic. I'm suprised that there are anglers that have the money, time and skill but lack desire. Skill and desire are the departments that most talented anglers are born with, money and time are hard to combine. Even of the local sticks most sell real estate, insurance or have a business they can conduct from the front deck via smartphone.

The only reason I can come up with is that they have the money and time...If they hit the trail, less money and no time. For some strange reason there are a few people out there that dont want to make the sacrifice of leaving their wife and kids at home, lack of desire so to speak.

IMO the best weekend guys are better than the Elites.

[Iclass]

First I don't know anyone that thinks its going to catch fish on every cast. Second the problem with it that I have is is the appearance of a school of slow moving bait. It simply increases the odds of fooling a fish playing on their natural instinct to ambush a ball of bait. I understand that all fishing is in its simplest form is fooling the fish. I think it takes the talent of fooling a bass to eat your lure completely out of it there by creating a playing field that makes locating the fish more important than having accurate casting, feel, technique that seperates the have's and the could have's. Ive been in the back of guy's boats that were all over the fish and didn't know because they couldn't get em to bite Heck Ive been there myself its frustrating but over the years I have developed things to do to make them bite not to the tune of the a-rig so now the ability to catch suspended fish is going to be undermined by a 5 lure rig were my 14 pounds used to be good in the fall will now be replaced by 18 pounds on the rig its only one big bite a day. It's frustrating that in the last ten years what I've learned about this lake when it gets tough is not going to be enough to compete with 5 lure at once.

No one disputes the odds go up.... But doesnt the high tech side/down imaging, Hydrowave increase the odds? Why arent these banned? Thats the question I want to know. It seems they've select whats fair/sporting by where the money comes from. And if thats the case say so and I could live with that. I'm not so good at catching that I wouldnt try to do most anything, with the law, to increase my odds of catching fish.

[cullinby9]

The only reason I can come up with is that they have the money and time...If they hit the trail, less money and no time. For some strange reason there are a few people out there that dont want to make the sacrifice of leaving their wife and kids at home, lack of desire so to speak.

IMO the best weekend guys are better than the Elites.

I understand about family and that there are some great fisherman that one have a career that they love,two like to fish under their terms or when they want I've met a few people that don't fish tournaments at all and can catch huge bags of fish especially up at stockton for myself I have never been able to put the time, money thing toeghether have money no timeor vice versa. With as much time as those pro's spend on the water there are alot of anglers that could do some special things given the opportunity.

[cullinby9]

No one disputes the odds go up.... But doesnt the high tech side/down imaging, Hydrowave increase the odds? Why arent these banned? Thats the question I want to know. It seems they've select whats fair/sporting by where the money comes from. And if thats the case say so and I could live with that. I'm not so good at catching that I wouldnt try to do most anything, with the law, to increase my odds of catching fish.

The only thing I can say about all the technology is you Don't tie it on the end of your line so does it really help or is it more about confidence that your in the right area, by increasing the odds of one swimbait to five I am sure you're going to catch more fish its a simple fact. again I have competed in the statewide circuts out of my ranger with my x 135 graphs against guys with side imaging and hydrowave that never came in with fish is the A-rig going to change that I doubt it, is it going to make the sticks that are already handing it to me harder to beat, yes unless I get a rig and join the craze.

[Sprint21fter]

Mr. Cullin by 9. If you don't have one, I would suggest you give it a try and see what you think about it. You put in the hands of 5 boats and the results will vary. The A-rig is just another trick we can utilize to try to gain another edge. Every competitive angler wants to have as much edge as they can so they can get a check. Any tournament angler that gets on fish with one bait can out fish the A-rig at the same time. Boils down to finding them and what you have confidence in.

[Iclass]

The only thing I can say about all the technology is you Don't tie it on the end of your line so does it really help or is it more about confidence that your in the right area, by increasing the odds of one swimbait to five I am sure you're going to catch more fish its a simple fact. again I have competed in the statewide circuts out of my ranger with my x 135 graphs against guys with side imaging and hydrowave that never came in with fish is the A-rig going to change that I doubt it, is it going to make the sticks that are already handing it to me harder to beat, yes unless I get a rig and join the craze.

I believe KVD is good, maybe the best ever, BUT no way is he that much better/lucky to be fishing the same water as several others in last years classic. If you dont believe those Biosonic things work, you've lost your mind. Its one thing to have those graphs/hydrowave units on your boat, its totally another to know how to use them.....same with the A-rig. Its not as simple as "throw it and they will come."

[ksmybass]

Maybe..... Thay should do what South Dakota does, on pheasent hunting.......Can't start till noon!! =)

[Champ188]

I don't really have an opinion when it comes to banning them, I'm not a fan of BASS orFLW to begin with. My point is the A-rigs are too expensive for the average angler to use in the first place, I can barely find enough money for boat gas! If you got the $ it's not an issue, but if you're like me and on a strict budget don't do it! We have plenty of lures in our bag/box that will catch just as many fish. Now say you buy 3 A-rigs, that's around $30-$50 depending on where you bought them, they don't normally come with lures so most people buy baits to put on their A-rigs, that's more money spent. Now you go fish with them and lose a couple to a snag. Was losing all that money really worth it? For the tournament anglers it's going to be another tool in the "shed" , but for the average joe who does not have sponsors , or does'nt fish tourneys ,I think it's a waste of money, save it for your gas tank cuz you're going to need it as gas prices continue to rise. I'm predicting $5/gal @ the marinas this summer, save your hard earned cash for gas !!!

Bry, what does any of this conversation have to do with anyone's personal financial situation? I thought we were discussing the A-rig, mainly from an ethical standpoint. You found the money to buy a computer, pay your electric bill to plug it in and secure internet service to get on the forum. You'll find money to fish if you so choose. Bass fishing can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. This isn't a matter of putting food on the table or clothes on your kids' backs. Enough of the "woe is me" rhetoric.