A-Rig Frustrations

[Pour Dennis]

I have used this new bait twice now and have been throwing it where everyone else has been catching them or have reported to have caught them. My frustration is this. I cannot catch a cold with this thing. I also seem to get the rig tangled up quite a bit. Today I threw it on points, bluff ends, and bluff walls. I fished it shallow and deep. I let it fall for several seconds to just a few seconds and still nothing. I just don't don't see what all of the hype is about.

[balsabee]

I'm not impressed yet as well. I went to bull shoals on Saturday and caught 3 small spots with it. Caught more fish on a wart and stickbait but I threw the A-rig almost all day. I need more seat time with it.

[bobw]

Join the club. We threw it all day Saturday around Aunts Creek. The first fish was about 4 lbs, and 2 others about 21/2. But not the numbers or the size it seems like everyone else is catching. I am going back to what I know works this time of year, jerks and cranks. This thing is just stupid, a killer to cast all day and not much to show for it. And Saturday was the third time for me, not impressed.

[FishinCricket]

What's got two thumbs and isn't a bit surprised?

[dtrs5kprs]

It is going to take some learning just like other things. Sitting here, I can think of half a dozen good fishermen I know who won't fish clear water at TR and swear they can't catch fish on a jig spoon. No doubt the folks weighing the big sacks have it dialed in a little more than the rest of us.

[Addicted to Creeks]

What's got two thumbs and isn't a bit surprised?

This guuuuuuy!!

[Spring River Trout Shop]

An a-rig is just a lure. A worm is just a live bait, and there is no "secret" fly to catch big trout. All this hoopla will pass.

[riverfish]

pour dennis, sound like your doing everything correctly to me as far as what your fishing fish seem to really be using their "highways" its probably just a timing thing i read the reports that say the bite is at first light the way i understand it by 11 its all over but it seems to be the opposite for me seems like things dont really get on till about one two oclock or so friend of mine said that he been fishing every day and the better fish arent even biting until 230 to four in the afternoon like balsabee said maybe just need more seat time after all confidence is the best lure in your arsenal. the fish are doing alot of moving aroung right now but it seems for me that if i can catch a fish on a bluff end or an inside point i can duplicate that and continue to catch them which was the case for me this past sunday nothing to really shout about but i ended up with a solid limit but that because i had one good kicker go about six lb just keep chucking and winding you'll find them

[Bill Babler]

Dennis, the Rig is really working well in the Shell Knob area. Have been guiding out of the Bridge Ramp, Viola and H-Hiway the past week, and we are for sure catching fish on it. Viola has stained up so I'm keeping more in the clearer water both up and down from the bridge.

I have found that by using a max of 3" baits in that country, you are much better off. For sure the Storm Wildeye is heads and tails above the rest. I will almost bet you, you are setting way to far in. Bet the fish are either directly under the boat or behind you.

Try the long runout at twin rivers, set you boat on the Kings River side in 100 plus feet of water and fish the tree tops that are coming up to about 30 feet. I am leting the bait sink 5 to 10 seconds. Fish the other side The Island side, putting your boat in 75 ft. of water and throw up to the roll-off. Fish that clear out to 5 city blocks from the bank, back toward the main lake. Let the bait go clear to the bottom and then follow the coutour till it breaks into the channel.

This is kind of a community hole, but I have caught several fish on either side of it each time I fish it. Nothing big, but nice K's and it is a good place to get your first A-Rig Fish.

Try the 3 sisters points runing up the White River on the Kings River point 22 side. Again, if you can make a throw and hit the bank you are fishing much closer that I am. I am at least for the most part 2 full throws off the bank. The only reason there is a bank around the lake is to hold in the water, on Table Rock, you need to get away from it. Hard to learn.

Beck had 15 keepers on similar locations in the Kimberling City Area yesterday. Long Runout points that divide two big bodies of water. Said his best 5 were over 25 pounds. Not included in that were 3K's over 4 pounds.

Post/Script When selecting and A-Rig 5 uniform arms are much better than a middle arm that is a lot longer. No more than an 1' on the middle are being longer at most. A longer middle arm if your cast is improper will catch the line. If all the arms are the same length,and the line slides down the bait on one of the outside arms it will just slide off. If the middle arm is extended or an 1" or so, it will catch it.

Also you can really prevent this by thumbing your reel prior to the cast hitting the water, causing the A-Rig to turn over like a fly fishermen does on a fly cast and it will 99% of the time keep the line from tangling in the A-Rig.

When using a Spinning outfit, just feather the cast at the end of its arc, or catch it. This will also bring the hooks from the back to the front of the rig and help.

Never just cast it out there and let it parachute in, as it will for sure become entangled.

Every bad cast or mess up costs you valuable time. by eliminating some of these and presenting better presentations, you will enhance your chances dramaticlly.

When casting the rig, using a Baitcaster, Do not whip or load the rod tip when you throw it. It puts to hard of a jolt on the baits and causes the arms to compress and come together. If you will lob it or use a two handed loft cast you will keep those baits apart a much greater part of the time.

Good Luck

[DChance]

great post Bill. This is the information that I definitley need. It really helps me understand the type of water to fish. Not being on TR much it is VERT hard to sit in 100ft of water and cast confidently thinking i can catch a fish. I may be down fishing the 3rd and more help like this is greatly appreciated.