I don’t know how many of you keep up with current trends in tackle. There is a new bait called “the Alabama rig†which until a couple of weeks ago has pretty much been an under the radar garage bait.
But with the recent events on the FLW tour in which ALL the top 10 finishers used the same rig and the winner posting a102 lb four day total (20 bass).
It has become the hottest must have setup on the market. The company going from selling 5 to 20 a week to an over a five week plus back order problem, and anglers waiting in long lines forking out $25.00 a pop just to have one. The demand being so great that already Mann’s bait company has bought licensing to produce them.
This is not a normal set up and most anglers will do not have the rods to handle the rigs properly.
So here is a chance to start building them before the big companies have a chance to go through the research and development stages, support your customers, and make some profits in this hard economy.
I have been fishing this rig for a while and here are some of the challenges that need to be addressed when building for the A-rig. And couple of solutions for those interested.
1- This is one of the most taxing techniques I’ve ever fished! it will quite literally wear you out. Work to cast and harder work to reel in.
2- Because of its weight is hast to be “lobbed†out rather then cast.
3- It produces some of the most bone jarring startling strikes I’ve ever felt. They will almost rip the rod out of your hands.
4-Most of the guys fishing this setup are using heavy or extra heavy flipping sticks. The problem with that is that the fish hit so hard, they are many times ripping large holes in their faces allowing for them to get unbuttoned easily.
5- Fish hit so hard I’ve had them rip the jig head slap off the rig on the strike.
6- Depending on how it is set up, the rig usually weighs around 2.5 to 6 oz.
7- Anglers will be over taxing and snapping some of their rods in an effort to throw these babies. So when they bring back their broken custom rod you built for them last year. (Be sure to ask them what they were throwing when they broke it). It will save you some money
I have used and looked at several brands, models, and lengths of blanks while experimenting with this setup and here are some observations and suggestions based on what I’ve found and input from others.
1- Blanks need more flex in the tip than what heavy and extra heavy flipping blanks can offer.
2- Unless you go with a heavier (weight wise) blank. Straight fiberglass blanks do not have enough back bone and are too tiring over the course of the day. It is common to get two or more fish on at once, some times weighing 4 to 6 lbs each, which is why you need a good amount of back bone to handle fish.
3- Should be at least a 7-10 to 8 ft blank.
NOTE: If building for competition, many tournament circuits restrict finished rod lengths to 8 ft. max.
4- Suggest NOT using a shorter handle so rod can be braced against the arm or body for reeling, added length aids casting.
5- Because of its weight suggest using 65 to 100lb braid. I have back lashed with 50 lb braid and it snapped the bait clean off sending my $50.00 (rig, jigs, swim baits) into the deep.
Here is a suggestion based on the challenges with what I seen and dealt with.
Batsons;
ISWB945 7’10†rated for 2-6 oz baits Fast action med/heavy blank.
This blank was desingned to “lob†2-6 oz baits. It will cast them easily reducing much of the work.
Has more flex in the tip helping to adjust for the vicious strikes, allowing for better hook ups and reducing damage to the fish.
The materials blend provides some of the forgiveness of fiberglass while keeping the weight down and maintaining a stronger back bone for controlling fish.
Although I prefer all graphite blanks for sensitivity. It is truly not needed with the way these fish strike.
If you have a client that wants an even stouter setup I would step up to the next model (ISWB946) but personally don’t think it is warranted.
Here a few links so you can get some intel on the baits;
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www.flwoutdoors.com]
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www.flwoutdoors.com]
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www.flwoutdoors.com]
