The A-Rig Blues

[ktm3ten]

First, I'll say that I'm a nobody, I've never fished a tournament (though I'd like to some day), just a guy who likes to go fishing when I can. Yesterday was my first day with A-Rig. Caught 2 great fish, one over 3 lbs and one over 4. So for that, i had a great time, much bigger and more consistent fish than I can usually catch.

However, I heard someone say once, "I know I can catch fish with a crank bait, I just don't enjoy it. It's not fun FOR ME."

That's kind of how I feel about the A-Rig. It's an efficient system, there's no denying it catches fish. I just don't enjoy it. It's not the physical aspect, it's just not fun.

For me, the sudden jerk on a drop shot or a texas rig or of course top water...now that gets my heart going. The A-rig, it's like I either snagged something or I got a fish, but I'm not sure because it's so muted.

What do you all think?

[Feathers and Fins]

Try latching into a 40lbs striper on one and you will change your mind fast.... I run it fast on top water and seeing prop-wash comming up behind it gives me the same thrill as all top water bites. When a big fish hits it there is a major jerk. Now one thing I have found about it is smaller fish seem to get multy-hooked and that takes away from the fight as it is like dragging in a stick. It is fun to learn how and when to use it just like learning a plastic worm for the first time or a big ole swim bait... I think i like the new lures most because i have to learn to use them. Some after i may never again throw others i love to throw to this day.. Not many people out here chuck a 4 to 6oz piece of iron and run it sub-surfact or surface but to this day I still get a blast out of using them.

[Whack'emGood]

First, I'll say that I'm a nobody, I've never fished a tournament (though I'd like to some day), just a guy who likes to go fishing when I can. Yesterday was my first day with A-Rig. Caught 2 great fish, one over 3 lbs and one over 4. So for that, i had a great time, much bigger and more consistent fish than I can usually catch.

However, I heard someone say once, "I know I can catch fish with a crank bait, I just don't enjoy it. It's not fun FOR ME."

That's kind of how I feel about the A-Rig. It's an efficient system, there's no denying it catches fish. I just don't enjoy it. It's not the physical aspect, it's just not fun.

For me, the sudden jerk on a drop shot or a texas rig or of course top water...now that gets my heart going. The A-rig, it's like I either snagged something or I got a fish, but I'm not sure because it's so muted.

What do you all think?

I know exactly what you mean... and I also know you're not talking about catching 40lb stripers (or 120lb halibut, for that matter), so that would be off the subject. I am like you... I like to catch fish the way I want to fish.

[Boobie]

I have been throwing the a rig with great success....... I have been hooking up 5 sticks of dynomite to it . One little tip.....Dont cast into the wind*^$#@&^

[edwin]

I enjoy learning new techniques, so I'm happy to throw the rig. My #1 beef is that it's a pain laying on the deck of the boat...seems it will grab every rod / line within 5 feet!

[Stoneroller]

I think it's more fun to catch fish on lures that look nothing like anything the fish are feeding on.

[Stump bumper]

I enjoy learning new techniques, so I'm happy to throw the rig. My #1 beef is that it's a pain laying on the deck of the boat...seems it will grab every rod / line within 5 feet!

If you put a split ring or small rubber band (I steel these from my wife's hair bands) on the rig before adding baits you can slide them down when storing the rig to make it a lot more compact.

I also would rather throw anything but an A-rig but it beats getting skunked, so when nothing else works out it comes. But in a tournament until I have 5 in the live well I could see where it would be hard to put down. I also hate throwing 20ft diving crank baits but sometimes that is what the situation calls for and I will pick up a spoon or drop shot just because reeling those big cranks are not as much fun and wears out the arms, same with the A-rig.

I can't wait to try one on a hot summer's night since I have always sucked at night fishing and this just might turn around my summer jackpot experience. I am thinking two big black thumping spinner baits with 3 small swim baits.

[Jason Essary]

_{Stump, dont know which night fishing tourney you are going to, but just to let you know its already banned from Millcreek Friday Nighters.}

[Stump bumper]

_{Stump, dont know which night fishing tourney you are going to, but just to let you know its already banned from Millcreek Friday Nighters.}

When I do fish jack pots it is on Beaver since I won't travel or go out of my way to loose money. Haven't heard what any tournaments over here are going to do about the A-rig and not a big deal to me anyway, I might hit one or two a year most of the time when a buddy is looking for a backseater or happens to be one going on when I launch out.

I much prefer the spur of the moment 6 boat fruit jars among friends then big 40-100 boat tourneys.

[kre11]

I enjoy learning new techniques, so I'm happy to throw the rig. My #1 beef is that it's a pain laying on the deck of the boat...seems it will grab every rod / line within 5 feet!

I also saw something in a magazine where they were cutting the bottom out of a small Gatorade bottle to contain the rig. With the center hook on the rods hook keeper, they would slide the Gatorade bottle down the rod and over the other arms of the rig to contain it. Kind of a cool idea.