Agree or Disagree
Well most of you have heard of it probably even seen it on t.v. and many have fished one for themselves. Yes I am talking about the one and only A-rig, lure, bait, harness system whatever you want to call it it flat out catches fish. I have never seen a lure that has absolutely turn the fishing world light up every message board known with pros and cons like this. Living on two of the greatest river systems in the country to being throwing such a rig and working at the largest tackle retailers in KY, The Cabin Bait and Tackle I've gotten to fish and hear first hand the buzz about this new phenomenon. The opinions on this thing range from it's the greatest thing since sliced bread to those who truly believe it should be banned from any type of fishing. From the majority of the opinions I've heard most are all about throwing the rig when out fun fishing but see it having no place in tournaments. There reasoning seems to be the same that it takes the skill out of fishing. And from the experience we've seen here on KY Lake there seems to be some truth to this. As there are countless anglers coming into the shop that normally pack the boat away for the winter because it becomes really tough fishing, 10-15 fish a day being good, to catching 30-50 a day with most being keepers. On the tournament side it is taking 24lbs or better to win and 20lbs to get a check, this is completely on heard of for Dec. thru Feb. on lakes on the Tennessee river system. Basically if you can find a school of fish, with todays electronics is getting easier each year, you will catch them period!
This is one technique that really requires the correct rod, reel, and line to enjoy a wonderful day on the water. Starting with the line braid is key as this is a fairly heavy bait to throw and you want a solid hook up on a long cast. Braid also gives you an advantage when hanging the bait in a tree or brush pile that you are able to pull it free. The new Sufix 832 and Power Pro Slick have been the best selling braids as they have a coating that allows them to flow through the rod guides much quieter and adding casting distance. Now with the line selected it's time for a reel to put it on. This technique requires a smooth slow retrieve, with many guys choosing to go with a Revo Winch reel. Something in the 6.1:1 - 5.4:1 gear ratio is perfect. Now for the rod and nothing brings more debate than pick the right rod for a specific technique. The debate continues here also but for the most part a longer rod is better something over 7' preferably 7'-6''. It needs to carry a lure wgt. load of up to 2oz. or better with a mod-fast or fast action. This is no place for an extra fast action rod as you don't need the tip. Many of the big swimbait rods on the market make great A-rig rods with some companies such as Powell developing a rod specifically for this technique. Many of the flippin and pitchin rods out there will also work just be careful of the smaller blank rods as they are breaking under the stress of repeated casting of such heavy baits. As far as the rig is concerned there are very few bad ones on the market but when it comes to jig heads the two best ones I have found are the Buckeye JWill and Outkast Tackle pro swim jig heads. The JWill head is an awesome open water head that helps give the swimbait great roll action. The pro swim jig by Outkast Tackle is key when fishing around cover much like we are doing here on KY Lake where we are keying in on brush piles. I could get into all the different swimbaits that can be used on the rig but that is a complete matter of opinion as I've seen guys throw everything from Zoom super swimmin flukes to high end BassTrix.
Where to apply the use of the A-rig is probably the easiest part of the whole system. For the most part we've fished this bait in many of the same places and ways that you would slow roll heavy spinnerbait or deep diving crankbait. Now there are always exceptions to every rule but sticking to areas that hold off shore fish and using your electronics to locate these schools of fish you can have an absolute blast.
This is one technique that really requires the correct rod, reel, and line to enjoy a wonderful day on the water. Starting with the line braid is key as this is a fairly heavy bait to throw and you want a solid hook up on a long cast. Braid also gives you an advantage when hanging the bait in a tree or brush pile that you are able to pull it free. The new Sufix 832 and Power Pro Slick have been the best selling braids as they have a coating that allows them to flow through the rod guides much quieter and adding casting distance. Now with the line selected it's time for a reel to put it on. This technique requires a smooth slow retrieve, with many guys choosing to go with a Revo Winch reel. Something in the 6.1:1 - 5.4:1 gear ratio is perfect. Now for the rod and nothing brings more debate than pick the right rod for a specific technique. The debate continues here also but for the most part a longer rod is better something over 7' preferably 7'-6''. It needs to carry a lure wgt. load of up to 2oz. or better with a mod-fast or fast action. This is no place for an extra fast action rod as you don't need the tip. Many of the big swimbait rods on the market make great A-rig rods with some companies such as Powell developing a rod specifically for this technique. Many of the flippin and pitchin rods out there will also work just be careful of the smaller blank rods as they are breaking under the stress of repeated casting of such heavy baits. As far as the rig is concerned there are very few bad ones on the market but when it comes to jig heads the two best ones I have found are the Buckeye JWill and Outkast Tackle pro swim jig heads. The JWill head is an awesome open water head that helps give the swimbait great roll action. The pro swim jig by Outkast Tackle is key when fishing around cover much like we are doing here on KY Lake where we are keying in on brush piles. I could get into all the different swimbaits that can be used on the rig but that is a complete matter of opinion as I've seen guys throw everything from Zoom super swimmin flukes to high end BassTrix.
Where to apply the use of the A-rig is probably the easiest part of the whole system. For the most part we've fished this bait in many of the same places and ways that you would slow roll heavy spinnerbait or deep diving crankbait. Now there are always exceptions to every rule but sticking to areas that hold off shore fish and using your electronics to locate these schools of fish you can have an absolute blast.
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