A-Rig Question?

[Springmillvol]

Although I'm from this area, I cut my teeth bass fishing in South Fl where everything was 6 ft deep and really a pack of Junebug worms would do the trick most any day. That said, I have never fished with an A-Rig. Could I bother the board for some tips on this type of fishing? What kind of rig is preferred and what equipment do you use to keep from wearing yourself out during a long day on the water? With Santa Claus loading up his sled, I need to get my list in order!

Thank you very much for any feedback. emoSmile

 

[Fshn Cpa]

Try a flash mob Jr. with some small ki-tech trailers 50-65 lb braid heavy action rod. Won't wear you out like some of the bigger rigs

 

[porthos33]

Yeah the flash mob jr is cheap and the five wire one is perfect and light weight. We like using the white ice jr flukes. 1/8 weights on the bottom where the three hooks will be. Get the Owner twist lock centering pin springs for the 2 teasers and they will always run on top. Heavy braid or 25lb mono or flouro. For the hooks I wouldn't go any heavier than what the Berkley® Swim Shad 3" come with. You can straighten those hooks out easier when hung up. When I use the regular size flukes or cane thumpers I will use a More heavy duty a-rig something like the hog farmer. I use the belly weighted hooks mainly and just leave the hook exposed or if I'm fishing it around a lot of cover I tuck the hook in.

 

[Springmillvol]

Thank you guys

 

[Javelin33]

The flash mobs will get bit, but if you start catching a bunch the wires will break. If you plan on fishing them a lot, just spend the money and buy the HogFarmer mini rig.

 

[31airborne]

+1 on flash mobs - a great rig. I also agree on rigging this on a heavy action rod. Throwing an a-rig will flat wear you out. Couple things on the rig itself: 1) I like to put one heavier jighead on one of the outside wire. Helps it run true. 2) I'll often mix up bait sizes - say, 3 3" baits and 2 4-5" baits. I find the better fish will often select for the bigger bait. 3) Try grubs. The good ol' fashioned Zoom grubs are tremendous on the a-rig. They give a slightly different look, action.

 

[tnsportsman86]

Flash mob jr. I caught my biggest bass (11lb) on one at Chick in February. I use zoom white ice swimming flukes for trailers with 1/8 to 1/4 heads.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

look at the V-8 from True South Custom Lures, its what i use 5 wires but only 3 hooks in TN means you have to make the baits with the hooks a little different(spot of red, chart or different color all together). i was playing with a rig with 9 baits but only 3 hooks and the 7 and 8lber i caught both came on the one different colored bait.

 

[churly]

If you want a rig that can catch weary bass but hold up to 50lb stripers, you need to check out Hog Farmer baits! Not to mention, they are made one at a time by a small business located in our area, and is owned by a long time CFF member (he so busy with baits he rarely gets on here or fishes for that matter). You can have your rig made any way you want it. And they do catch fish. kelly Jordan won the first MLF cup championchip throwing a 5 wire 8 blade. Go to the website; hogfarmerbaits.com or they are also sold at www.tacklewarehouse.com

 

[davisjeremy1981]

Like many have already said above. Get a heavy action rod but make sure its got the longer rod butt below the reel seat. That really helps with casting leverage so it only takes a flip of the wrists and won't kill your arms and shoulders casting. The jig head size is totally up to you, I think everyone sets their rig up to their own preference weight wise but stick with some lighter gauge hooks at first cause if you get it hung up you can usually pull hard enough with 65lb braid to straighten that hook so you don't lost your rig. As far as bait sizes just try to match the hatch but always have the center bait bigger than the others. Also check youtube, there are a billion a-rig vids out there to give you other ideas

 

[Springmillvol]

Thanks again. I appreciate it.

 

[jsb]

The way I fish it most of the time is I look at it laying in the boat then pick up another rod and start fishing.

 

[zack1a2]

Yes I think this is my approach with it way to often!

 

[TDobson]

Well you know I like to use it til I lose it!

 

[heath423]

There is some great information in this thread. I'm taking notes as well. Thanks to all that has contributed.

 

[occasionalfisher]

I can tell you do NOT use the Strike King Titanium rig, it is the worst fouling thing I have ever seen. You can get maybe 3 good casts out of 10 because that thing just wads up if you pause it and it is then fouled. I got two for $12 total and it was still too much, fished it a couple of times total waste of time. The flash mob jr works well, with lighter hooks and smaller baits, I like the 3 inch fat Keitechs and I normally have two or three different colors running to start with, then as you get bites, add more of that color you are getting bites on. The jr swimming flukes work ok, not my favs, the Smallest skinny dipper works well too as does the Keitech shiner. Not my favorite rig to throw because it is like throwing a light fixture out there, but they can work. I have caught 3 at a time once, but those were spots chasing a pod of bait, first one hit, just held the rig there with all those baits flopping around probably 20 feet from the boat and watched an entire pack of spots just blast the rig. That was fun, but never have I caught any really good fish on them, and to be honest I really do not like to throw the thing. My dad screwed up his elbow throwing it to the point he had to have surgery to correct it. I know they work if you know what you are doing with them, but I do not really know how to fish them right and with what I have caught on them, I can catch those fish on things that are a bit easier to throw and work.