Alabama Rig And Other Heavy Gear

[Feathers and Fins]

I keep reading people saying they are heavy and hard to cast or wear you out fast.

I have most my fishing life cast Heavy baits and lures and just am having a hard time understanding these comments. It is not unusual at all for me to be casting 2 to 8oz jigs all day long or deep diving lures that put alot of stress on the reel in. Maybe its just Saltwater and Stiper fishing for so long ive become use to it but was curious as to why people say it wears them out or is to heavy or hard.

Here is one of my favorite Rod and Real combos for throwing big baits all day.

Cal-Star GFGRALG-800XL, 8 foot rod, 10 AFTCO LIGHT roller guides with a fuji real seat rated at 10 to 25lbs line extra fast rod, I either use a Jigmaster 500 or a Calcutta reel with it and throws big baits all day easily.

Now i admit that in throwing those baits I learned not to throw them all day and nothing area's but to use them on key targeted areas and move on to the next not just keep throwing to keep throwing. In the surf you may do this for several hours at bluefish and tarpon schools but have to put it down for awhile. So why is it so hard it seems?

[DChance]

I would assume casting to bass, the number of cast are far greater than the other styles. Cast, retrieve repeat. Other styles for other species many times involves trolling. Neither are "easy" by any means, I just think bass anglers are comparing to other bass lures. and when you are casting 1000+ times a day it takes a toll.

[Feathers and Fins]

Chance, I have casted that many times a day at Bass using the monster bass lures. Maybe its just the area you fish and what the people are use to. In Cali for example Throwing large plugs and swim baits was just a way of life. At first they wore me out but after a few weeks it was just another day on the water... Do you think its just people are not use to this in other areas of the country as opposed to the Big Bass / Big Lure lake areas?

[DChance]

I would say you are probably right. Look at the areas teh A-Rig started and is growing to. Pretty much traditional bass baits are the norm. I would assume like you that the more one throws it the easier it is on them Im sure.

[DChance]

many may also wear themselves out more by not having proper equipment or setup too.

[rps]

Most here have only 7' or 7'6" rods rated for 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 ounce baits using 12 to 25 # line. This equipment would make the rigs more difficult to throw and retrieve. If I were going to fish the rig, the rods designed for the 6 to 12 inch long swim baits they use in California would be my choice.

G. Loomis 955 - 7"11" rated for 15-30# line and 2 to 6 ounce baits is one example.

[Feathers and Fins]

RPS. You made me think think back to when i first started throwing the big baits... I used 7' bass rods and paid dearly for it in guides being ripped off the tip of the rod, broken rods and a couple jump in the water to retrieve them from backlashes. I learned to go to the big saltwater rods they are built for this kind of abuse. Calstar is probably the best out there and I learned the lesson of you get what you pay for.

I think it might just be that freshwater fishermen ( was in my case ) dont think about the salt ( even though i was die hard saltwater too) I just didnt put it togeather. Now everything I buy is designed for saltwater. I find it just makes the day better and easier on me.

[rps]

RPS. You made me think think back to when i first started throwing the big baits... I used 7' bass rods and paid dearly for it in guides being ripped off the tip of the rod, broken rods and a couple jump in the water to retrieve them from backlashes. I learned to go to the big saltwater rods they are built for this kind of abuse. Calstar is probably the best out there and I learned the lesson of you get what you pay for.

I think it might just be that freshwater fishermen ( was in my case ) dont think about the salt ( even though i was die hard saltwater too) I just didnt put it togeather. Now everything I buy is designed for saltwater. I find it just makes the day better and easier on me.

Fair enough.

[Guest]

It could be due to injuries and arthritis from years of abuse.

[Feathers and Fins]

Ok so I spent most the day trying this undersized Umbrella rig out and comparring it to other baits. I set up for trolling the area was from Montne to Hickory Creek. We Ran two of them off the side of the boat at 30ft down, We put out 2 CD30's off the back of the boat.

A-rig = 1 LMB 3 pnds 2 stripers 12lbs class

CD 30'S = 5 stripers 12 to 18 lbs 6 lmb 3 to 4 lbs average and 2 Hybrids bout 7 lbs

My slept at a holiday inn expert opinion on this bait is simple... Its just another tool in the chest and not the end all be all. It also took more effort to deploy and properly run... This was on trolling

We also cast the blasted thing. It is far more difficult to cast then any other conventional bait and it likes to grab far more moss then other baits. I also found you had to be extremely careful with a second person in the boat its dangerous. Now on a possitive side I was able to convince two stripers who followed it to strike after doing figure 8'S with it... This bait has potential for Musky and Striper on the surface which is a possitive. I did loose 2 of them to the christmas tree ornament isle... NO WAY you want to run it in Beavers timber which seriously limits its ability. Also casting it to the Rock banks will cost you a rig in a heartbeat.

Expensive yes, catches fish Yes, fun to cast NO, Good in Timber NO, Good on rock walls NO, good for troliing YES good for open water YES. This should be a good tool for fishing and with some more refinement great for crappie and Walleye.