Riggin the A-Rig

[Bill Babler]

Dave the very first reel I used for the rig was a 200 series Calcutta.  Then I went Toad Strangling Blind and switched to that big Curato.  Really don't know why I did not return to the Calcutta, it throws the heck out of it and for me it is a lot easier to throw than the wide spool Curado, that seems to be the bench mark for the A-Rig.

Since I have just fallen in love with the Lew's Super Duty.  Really fits me the best and out throws anything I have ever put a hand on.  

By the way, I have a 1/2 dozen Calcutta's in 100 to 300 series if anyone is interested.  Just ashame for them to be sitting in boxes in my tackle room.  These also make fine catfish reels, and of course I originally purchased them as bass reels.  I just much prefer the low profile casting reels as they fit my hand much better. 

[*T*]

2 hours ago, dtrs5kprs said:

If you can handle them any of the old school round reels are a nice fit. 5500, millionaire, couple of older shimanos similar to the Calcutta but not as high end. Should be well under $100, especially if you can find a clean used one.

 

Yes, not that I've fished the rig extensively, but when I have, used the setup of an old 5500C with 20# InvisX and an old Shimano 7'6" flipping stick.  Very comfortable and casts a mile with a soft lob cast.  All day usage, well, maybe.....maybe not.

[abkeenan]

36 minutes ago, *T* said:

Yes, not that I've fished the rig extensively, but when I have, used the setup of an old 5500C with 20# InvisX and an old Shimano 7'6" flipping stick.  Very comfortable and casts a mile with a soft lob cast.  All day usage, well, maybe.....maybe not.

I have pretty much the exact same setup as that right now. Abu 5500, 20# P-Line CCX Mono (strong stuff) on a older BPS Extreme 7"6" Heavy rod. Still throw heavier A-Rigs on it and also hard plastic swimbaits that are 2-3+ ounces on it.

[dtrs5kprs]

3 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Dave the very first reel I used for the rig was a 200 series Calcutta.  Then I went Toad Strangling Blind and switched to that big Curato.  Really don't know why I did not return to the Calcutta, it throws the heck out of it and for me it is a lot easier to throw than the wide spool Curado, that seems to be the bench mark for the A-Rig.

Since I have just fallen in love with the Lew's Super Duty.  Really fits me the best and out throws anything I have ever put a hand on.  

By the way, I have a 1/2 dozen Calcutta's in 100 to 300 series if anyone is interested.  Just ashame for them to be sitting in boxes in my tackle room.  These also make fine catfish reels, and of course I originally purchased them as bass reels.  I just much prefer the low profile casting reels as they fit my hand much better. 

I have a 300 Curado as well, and have trouble enjoying it as much as others seem to. It is so big you could bowl with it. Just a tank. I much prefer throwing big stuff on a 200 size or something round.

[troutgnat]

Gentlemen,  Just throwing in my two cents here but here is my A-Rig outfit I've been using the last 3 yrs and it works great for me. Rod- Skeet Reese 7'6" Swimbait/Carolina Rig Rod Reel- Shimano Citica spooled with the 65lb Power Pro Braid. I can't give enough credit to this rod! It has all the backbone needed but has a bit more forgiving tip which aids in lobbing these A-rigs a good way and I have no problem with hooksets either. You do not need a pool cue of a flipping stick unless you are fishing some of the largest A-rigs out there.

[Ketchup]

Great post Bill. Thanks for the reading. 

[gitnby]

Bill's hint about 'pumping' the bait as opposed to a steady retrieve was something I had forgotten since I last used the A-Rig.

Threw the A-Rig a bit today and caught one nice one on a bluff end and he hit it after the 'pump'.

Another little trick I came up with is putting a straw, swizzle stick or plastic tubing on the line ahead of the line tie.

Forgot to do it this morning, but I was quickly reminded after a few casts into the wind.

I use a full regular clear plastic straw.

It helps keep the line away from the arms during the cast and/or when it hits the water, and you don't get tangled and screw up your retrieve!

I also think it helps create a small 'jetstream' of water passing through the bait and really makes the blades spin better?

 

[Champ188]

7 hours ago, gitnby said:

Bill's hint about 'pumping' the bait as opposed to a steady retrieve was something I had forgotten since I last used the A-Rig.

Threw the A-Rig a bit today and caught one nice one on a bluff end and he hit it after the 'pump'.

Another little trick I came up with is putting a straw, swizzle stick or plastic tubing on the line ahead of the line tie.

Forgot to do it this morning, but I was quickly reminded after a few casts into the wind.

I use a full regular clear plastic straw.

It helps keep the line away from the arms during the cast and/or when it hits the water, and you don't get tangled and screw up your retrieve!

I also think it helps create a small 'jetstream' of water passing through the bait and really makes the blades spin better?

 

Cool idea on the straw, gitnby.

[Bill Babler]

Really good idea Git.  Also, that tip I gave about extending the center arm with a 3 to 6 inch Eagle Claw pike leader will get you lots of extra hookups.  It completely takes the mob out of the  picture when they see that bait trailing the pack for several inches, they go for it almost every time, thanks so much for the report.

[marcus]

my arm hurts just thinking about the a-rig