Alabama Rig!

Alabama rig. What is it? Is it legal? Should I buy one at $30 each?

The Alabama Rig is the newest sensation to hit the water after Paul Elias destroyed a field of Bassmaster pros on Lake Guntersville. As seen in the picture above, the rig imitates schooling baitfish and it seemed to be a deadly tool when targeting suspending fall bass. This technique has been mostly utilized by Striped Bass fisherman and other saltwater fish chasers under a different fitting name, the umbrella rig.

My analysis of this rig needs to pertain to MN and WI fisheries. Each state has their own regulations as to how many fishing lines and hooks are allowed to be in the water at one time to catch fish. Also, the tournaments we fish have their own regulations that represent the regulations that govern the entire circuit across the country. Will this rig be tied on to one of my rods this season?

In Minnesota, we are not allowed to fish with more than one rod, or line, at a time during the open water season. During the winter months where we ice fish, we are allowed to use two lines. So we have one line in the water but a bait tied on with 5 separate lures and each have a hook, the Alabama Rig. Is this legal? In the state of MN, this is not legal, as each separate bait is considered its own line. For instance, we can't throw a Rapala with another Rapala tied on to the back split ring, and then tie another Rapala on to that last split ring.

The question is, how can this lure be relevant to Minnesota and Wisconsin waters? Well we know that it was a success because the bass love to chase schools of bait fish when they become suspended in the fall. Can we modify this a bit to imitate bait fish without all the separate baits? I think this is a very viable option. I have ideas already spinning in my head that will take this idea, and with a few modifications, will be a great legal way to represent a school of bait fish here in MN. Also, this rig might not be relevant during most of the summer months. It was a huge success because fall bass chase schools of bait fish, but will they attack a school of bait fish post spawn?

This new technique and lure has grabbed a lot of attention the past few weeks. There has been petitions to ban it from professional tournament fishing, with arguments that the inconsistency among state regulations will create a grey area and much controversy. Others believe that this technique was just lurking in the background and it was a matter of time before it hit the circuit and gained popularity.

My take...let's just catch fish the best way we can while still being conscience of wildlife management and our own state regulations.

If you are still looking for great deals on awesome plastic baits for Christmas, visit Tonka Tackle today and check out the Halo Craw Tubes!

Best Fishing Lure- My late season Go-To Bait

Tonka Tackle has one of the best and most affordable craw tubes on the market today. The Halo Craw Tube was my go-to bait at the Minnesota BASS State Federation tournament in early September. The tournament was held on the Whitefish Chain of lakes and the waters offered us anglers opportunities to catch both large and smallmouth bass. This durable bait created quite the commotion, and my fellow anglers were begging me to let them try a few. At my last Lakes Area Bassmasters Club Tournament held in October, I used this bait to take second place in my club catching close to 10 pounds on the stingy Prior Lake.

While the Halo Craw Tube is extremely durable, it also is nimble enough to sink effortlessly in the water while the plastics strands and appendages appear to move and wave as if it were alive. I rig this bait using a 4/0 EWG hook and a 1/4 oz tungsten bullet sinker most of the time. I have had great success with this bait on weedlines in 5-10 feet of water, as well as skipping it under and around docks. You better believe I will have one tied on come spring. 

How can you get your hands on a pack of these? Visit www.TonkaTackle.com to place an order. 8 Halo Craw Tubes come per pack at under $4, and there is also bulk pricing available. 

Christmas is almost here...spoil yourself or your bass fisherman in your life and buy a few packs today!