The Alabama Rig

[TerraPenn]

Anyone heard of the Alabama Rig? Do you think it can be used for Lake O trout and salmon?

http://www.thealabamarig.com/about.htm

[GAMBLER]

My buddy uses them for bass. It might work on Lake O for trout and salmon. I would worry about the hardware holding up to the stress of a big king. Another worry would be the other lures hooking the fish outside the mouth and making them fight sideways. Ever hook a king on a stickbait and it has one hook in the mouth and onither in it's gill plate? Makes a small king fight like a 40 lber.

[FSNmachine]

I have heard of them. I was going to buy one this winter and try it for trolling Salmon next spring. Will see if it will work.

[Yankee Troller]

Already have a few to try. They are tearing up the bass circuits.

[ericjeeper]

Commonly referred to as an Umbrella rig, Or a castable U rig. been using them for stripers for years. A big salmon won't pull any harder than a big striped bass. I have one with shiny chrome spoons.The manufacture used large brass swivels.. The spoons turned so much they ate away the swivels. SO if you plan on attaching spoons make sure you use a high quality ball bearing swivel on each spoon. On most of them the front baits have no hooks and one bait trailing a few inches behind has the hook. Simulates a school of bate and one slow/injured fish behind.

[Big Water]

I've got a few of these u-rigs ordered. They may need beefed up to handle a salmon. Provide your own rubber or spoons. I'll let you know what I think of them. Price is decent.

http://123fishingrigs.com/

[jj7leaf]

Why not just use an umbrella rig, larger profile, possibly stronger frame also.

jj

[CopperJohn]

I also would recommend trying the umbrella rig, they use them on stripers off long island so they are strong enough.

[alex1young]

How do you plan on your rig? I'd like to buy a few but I'm not sure about loongline/downrigger/planer?

[ericjeeper]

A typical u rig pulls pretty hard. I typically run mine down the chute for stripers/wipers.

I am not sure how most states are ruling on the number of hooks deal. I do not take any chances in Indiana I only run at most two lures with hooks.. The others are just swimbaits,or chrome spoons without any hooks.

[raider44]

Anyone ever tried it for yellow perch? swapping the original spreader for one of these... it can be tough enough to keep two hooks baited when in a pile of yellow/white perch though.

[BullGator]

A bunch of these were included in a loaded tackle box I bought from a yard sale. Had no idea what they were. No instructions or packaging. Now I have an idea at least.........

[Tall Tails]

I have used umbrella rigs for a few years. Can be a stud on copper. However cumbersome to net! The only place I have hooks is on the the trailing spoon behind the rig.

[BSmaster]

FYI, found this on line -BBC boards.

It's only TWO baits per line on Champlain, so even the 3 hook alabama rig is illegal.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31510.html

Our club emailed the DEC and verified the 5 hook A-rig is legal in NY. Here was the repsonse.

I have been asked to provide you with an official ruling of the Alabama Rig. As it turns out, this seams to be a popular question these days thanks to Paul Elias' tournament victory.

The Alabama Rig can be used in New York waters provided that no more than 5 lures or baits are used per line and the number of hook points shall not exceed 15. Some waters have special regulations that restrict the number of hook points to a single hook point and regulate the method of attaching a hook to an artificial lure. Obviously, those special regulations must be followed on waters where they exist.

I should also mention that it is now legal to use 3 lines to angle in freshwater. The definition of angling in the Environmental Law was changed to allow 3 lines in freshwater after the current fishing regulations guide was in print.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Gregory Edward Kozlowski

Fisheries Outreach Coordinator

NYSDEC

625 Broadway

Albany, NY 12233

(518)402-8896

[irishbailey86]

mmmhm.. apadting this rig to pull with copper by hand on a victrola for jumbo yellow perch on Seneca......Kill Bill Vol. 7 lol retrofit A. rig to meet my needs,grubheaven im going to name it. perch killing machine.

[ericjeeper]

Here is a link to where I buy all of my striper gear. they sell a spoon version with several color options.using only one spoon with a hook.

http://www.cnksaltwatertackle.com/page/page/3264341.htm