No Alabama Rig in B.A.S.S.

[sweetwater]

No need to fear rule changes. As in all competitive sports, new ideas is part of the fishing just as talent is. If a fisherman has a new idea that works, either everyone else will eventually start doing the same thing or the santioning body will issue rules addressing that idea. Either way the playing field will once again be level. The key for the competitor is take advantage of the idea for as long as possible. The real dangers are; (1) not enough rules and someone will have an unfair competitive advantage and "stink up the game" (2) to many rules and B.A.S.S. could wind up in the same boat with NASCAR, downright boring most of the time.

[09Z7SC]

I will miss the "Donkey Rig" for sure! It is a fun way to fish. I feel that I will be fishing on a very fair playing field this season. As far as multiple depth finders, My Lowrance HDS 10 is capable of 4 screens and tasks at once! I use this mode quite a bit. I won't feel at any disadvantage

It's nice to have an insider voice on the subject matter, thanks for the input Mark. I feel like this lure will seriously change some aspects of this sport. The fact it has been deemed illegal in Elite series competition makes me feel as if BASS holds that level of competition to a higher standard, which I do agree with. If I wanted to watch tournaments where everyone throws the a-rig all day long I will tune in to FLW outdoors. It will be interesting to see after this year how this rig affects fishing, both to the competition angler and the fun fisherman.

[flyfish]

Keep in mind if you come to fish in TN, the A-rig isn't legal. Though if I read the reg correctly you could run one, but only one bait could have a hook. I think I'll stick to bass fishing with my fly rod.

[Carter1]

Flyfish, there is a video on BassFan with information regarding its use in TN. According to it you can use one with three baits.

[flyfish]

Yeah, I read that. Most of the rigs I've seen advertised are for 5 baits. In fact, the Nashville BPS circular had a 5 bait model on the front page. I was going to go over amd play dumb and see if the clerks knew the regs, and if they'd advise me not to use it in TN.

[JUSTINHALL]

I have spent many hours and days on Lake Erie and Lake St. Claire have fished many tournaments there. On a lake like those where you are just dragging tubes on bottom and umbrella rig with 5,6 and 7 tubes is not fair in a tournament. When you drag over a hump the smallies are schooled on I can almost guarantee you on a good day every one of those will have a fish on it. On a lake like Cumberland and Laurel etc. down here not so much as an advantage but other lakes up north it would be totally unfair in my opinion.
There are a lot of lakes where it would be a serious advantage, and I don't think it's even fair for the fish up there.

[Castin_A_Jig]

Well this is how I see it. I dont see why they would not want to catch more fish. As long as everyone has the same opportunity to get one. I bet you ask any pro fisherman if they would like to use a new bait that will catch them more fish and i bet 100% would say yes. It is just like any other bait. If you dont know where to throw it 9 times outta 10 your not going to catch anything. Unless your mike The Ike lol ( some times there not on the bank there out here) 4 pounder just like that) . But I have used the bait one time and smoked the bass and strippers with it.

[Embrey]

comparing a spinnerbait to an A rig is not even on the same page at all

[numbuts]

guess i cant replace the blades on spinnerbaits with trailers anymore people will say i caught them on the a-rig now

[ClarkIR]

guess i cant replace the blades on spinnerbaits with trailers anymore people will say i caught them on the a-rig now

ive never tried that but that sounds like a great idea. What are you using a 1/8th jig head with a grub or something?

[MagikSmallie]

If you replace the blades on a spinnerbait then it's not a spinnerbait anymore!

[Fntsyfbgod]

I still havent heard anything about using teaser baits with an Alabama Rig. I have heard most fish strike the center bait and some pros at the KY lake tournament in Tennessee have been using hooks on only 3 of the swimbaits and teaser swimbaits that did not have hooks. So can pros use the rig with only "One" hook? I think the big issue is catching multiple fish at a time but this would solve that.

If your going to say you cant use the Alabama Rig even if has one hook then its getting really into a grey area.

Because in that case why couldnt you use an alabama rig with blades on the other wires?
And if thats not legal then why is a spinnerbait legal?
And if that is legal to use a alabama rig with blades on the 5 arms then why isnt teaser swimbaits legal? the blades are just like spoons which are legal, is there a rule that says the definition of a lure is something that doesn't spin?
What about a spinerbait or buzzbait with two arms.