What you don't know about the Alabama Rig could get you in a lot of trouble. With the attention this Bass fishing rig is getting, plenty of anglers will be fishing it without realizing it could be illegal.

To begin with, this rig is sold with five trailing wires to attach your choice of baits. This rig isn't cheap either. One thing you won't want to do is purchase one before checking with your local fish and game authorities.What most anglers don't know is that their state fishing regulations may not allow that many baits attached. In certain cases it may only be legal to use it with one bait which defeats the purpose of using one in the first place. Currently, several Bass tournaments have outright banned it.

Why it's known as the Alabama Rig, who knows. It's simply a typical umbrella rig which has been around for years. It just hasn't been introduced with any significance in Professional Bass Fishing. It's finding a massive amount attention though because it's showing up and doing very well in some of these Bass tournaments.

Here's How To Get Started With An Umbrella Rig To Fish For Bass

For anybody who is going to try one of these rigs for Bass fishing there's a little more to it. A fully setup A-rig is just too heavy for the average Bass rod. Most Bass fisherman are recommending a medium heavy rod either 7' or 8'. Don't even think about using monofilament line It stretches too much when attempting to set the hook. The only way to go is with braid line. Without a heavier rod and braided line you'll lose most of the fish since you won't be able to get a good hook set. It's not just the weight of the rig either. You may well be fighting more than one fish. There are reports of some Bass anglers hooking up to four fish at a time on a single cast. How quick would you limit out in the event that happens?

So far as the test weight to use, it's going to vary depending upon the overall weight of your particular setup. Should you be fishing a five wire rig with 1/8 ounce jig heads on 4"-5" swim baits you'll probably want to use around 80# test braid. For deeper conditions where you'll be using 3/8 ounce jig heads then go with 100# test braid.

If your state regulations only allows umbrella rigs with up to three wires you can probably downsize the braid to 50# test line.

When it comes to the choice of Bass fishing rods for this rig most guys are going with a medium heavy 7' rod. Remember with multiple baits on a single rig you could be fighting multiple fish at a time. Imagine for a moment that you had four fish hooked up. That's a lot of beef, I mean fish for one regular Bass rod to deal with.

Lots Of Bass Anglers Are Opting To Make Their Own Rigs

With the price of these rigs many Bass fisherman are choosing to making their own. There's a video on Youtube where a very creative 16 year shows how he made this rig for $6.00 with easily available products from Walmart.

If your not up to paying the price or making your own you can order umbrella rigs from Amazon or buy a clone from your local tackle shop. You'll find that several lure manufacturers are selling their own versions of this setup because the demand has gone through the roof.

The original Alabama Rig (or copy of the umbrella rig) is manufactured in the US. As much as I hate to say it that's one good reason it's so expensive. Other manufacturers in this industry aren't as loyal to the homeland and will be undercutting the price with clones made overseas. You can count on that. When a product like this hits the marketplace every one of the large players will hop on the band wagon.

Use This Checklist To Start Fishing With The A-Rig

You Must Know The Regulations For Your Location Or You Can Easily Get Into Trouble.

Even If It's Legal In Your State It's Not Necessarily Legal In Every Bass Tournament

You Can Only Use Braid Line When Fishing The A-Rig

Line Weight Recommendations Range From 50# to 100# Test. It's Determined By The Final Overall Rig Weight

Homemade versions of this rig can be made for as little as $6 or less

No Matter What It's Called, It's Just An Adaption Of An Umbrella Rig

If You'd Rather Not Make One You Can Find Lots Of Good Deals Now That There Are More Companies Entering The Market.

I know you want one too. What are you waiting for. Stop reading and go buy one.

For more valuable Alabama Rig information visit Randy's Pro-Bass Fishing website. You'll also get plenty of bass fishing tips and don't forget to sign up for his free pro-bass fishing mini-course. You won't be disappointed.

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