Another blustery day. Snow outside, not cold enuf to frost up my local lakes, so alas . . . time for the Coyote to tinker. Decided it was time to twist and shout.
After reviewing another In-Fisherman article on umbrella rigs, and Utah's impending 3-hook rule, figgered it was time. . . to get wired!
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Don't think there's anything saying you can't have a 6-lure rig, lone as only 3 have hooks. So blades, swimbaits, other flutter and babble. Guess the idea is to draw attention, and competitive strikes!
Even thinking on using a spreader for ice fishing. Long as the wires will fit in/out of the hole . . .
been thinnin on the same tone - that a third hole - with a stringer of cowbells, bouncing along - might draw some attention.
PS: I like the Punch Brothers!
Getting Wired:
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I don't know I think the problems with tangles and snagging the bottom of your hole on the way out with the fish will keep me to one hook. But I'll be watching to see how you like it. Later J
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Looks like a great idea for trolling for Wipers or Walleyes. [cool] Very interesting!
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Man, I'm liking that Nick rig or the Medusa, trolled (or kicked) with Gulp!
That's a pretty tempting prospect for next spring/summer. Thanks for the pic. I've never really looked into any umbrella type of rig and you just got me interested.
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From what I've read/seen - seems like a practice more common to saltwater deepsea fishing - drag a whole school of fish, and mix in your actual lures... kinda like pop gear on fan-fed steriods.
Just figgered for vertical jigging off the boat or bridge, or even pitching and retrieve - got buds who do duo jigs, but just tied on line, not even a swivel. Wonder how much more weight the wire will add. Some of the commercial offerings have a lead head.
So does the Dude have a jig-head that'll take multiple out-wires? I'm intrigued by the notion of adding extra blades, or swim-bates - even if hookless - they add to the 'school' factor! Maybe even some beads for clackers.
Dang, you got lots of time on your hand.
IMO. I think that would be too heavy for pitching and retrieving. Might work for vertical but still alot of weight to make it look natural. I've looked it up on youtube a year ago, seems like people who use it trolls pretty fast.
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I'm thinking lakes with big trout, trolling. Aw yeah.[fishon]
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Actually, it's not too heavy for pitching and retrieving. Bass love it. Have plenty of friends down south (Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama) who love it.
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[cool][#0000FF]Sometime before spring fishing I plan to make up some 3-arm prototypes. I have several jig molds that I have already modified to take a wire insert in the top. No problem to slightly enlarge the outlet (hook) groove to hold 3 wires. The Ultra Minnow jigs (below) work well for making big inline spinners and buzzbaits. They should also work well for small A rigs.
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I have experimented with fishing them...both trolling and casting. Depending on how many wires and what you put on them there is a lot of drag. You should use stout baitcast gear for heavier models but if you make them up in lighter models...like 3/8 or 1/2 oz...you can cast them with medium spinning gear. I am anticipating that they will be great for bass, walleyes and other species...even trout, if you use the right combo of hardware and plastics.
So far, I have not really rigged them up with my favorite "food groups" of lures. I've been waiting for the new regulations to legally put some 3-lure rigs in front of some fishies. I am sure that at least the white bass will approve.
And yes, I do have plans for "blinging up" the plain rigs with additional beads and mini blades. I really believe in that stuff for the species around here.
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And hence why they're oft referred to as "Alabama Rigs" - maybe I should paint them red? I do slap some liquid tape on the twists to smooth 'em up some. Part of my thought was dropping them off the edge of a boat or bridge - and vertical jigging. Many of the commercial brands add even MORE weight with a lead-head.
So Pat - in all your pouring - I know you fling a lot of tandem pairs, have you utilized a spreader? We used to use them for pier fishing back when. I'll be interested to see what you come up with.
OSF - it's your river bud that got me thinking more about it- cuz he ALWAYS tied on a pair, I just don't know how he avoided the twist.
I've heard, and believe - part of the wurks is that when one fish is hooked - out of competition, curiousity, chase, what have you - another may likely attack the other "baitfish". I think TDs got it - white bass whacker! Know plenty of times on the school of young basslings, or panfisheses - hook one up, and everybody else's gotta come see what's happening. Sometimes a Musky joins in too! Nothing like a flailing fish to chase!
The more the merrier!
"So Pat - in all your pouring - I know you fling a lot of tandem pairs, have you utilized a spreader? We used to use them for pier fishing back when. I'll be interested to see what you come up with."
[#0000FF][cool] I have tried spreaders...mostly for crappies and panfish. My personal preference is for the simpler and less complicated tandem rig...high-low with a dropper. Swims better, less visible hardware for spooky fish and fewer tangles and snags.
As I stated in a previous post, the spreader concept was originated as a means of keeping two live minnows from "socializing" and tangling when fishing for crappies. They were not designed for fishing lures.
The "Christmas tree" rigs originated in salt water, for trolling for stripers and bluefish off the Atlantic coast. They still work. It was only a matter of time until someone adapted the principle to fresh water. And they work in fresh water too. But they work much better when properly outfitted with the right lures and when presented the right way.
Obviously there are countless permutations of attractors, jigs, spinners, hardbaits, etc. that can be rigged on a multi-wired rig. That is going to be a big part of the fun for me, when I get around to integrating the new toys in my arsenal. I gots a lots of idears and cain't wait to try 'em.
Multiple hookups? That is not uncommon with competitive schooling fish...like white bass. Most species become more active and strike more readily when surrounded by others of their kind. Especially when food is scarce. That results in harder strikes and more multiple hookups when other fish in the same school try to get in on the action. I have quite a few rememberies from the past of catching two fish on the same multi-hook hardbait. Even caught three on one lure a couple of times. Bodacious.
I'd be willing to cover any bets against being able to get a "triple" on a newly legal Utah A-rig next year. It's virtually a sure thing with white bass and a good possibility with schooling smallmouth. Doubtful for trout. I'm sure they will hit one at a time but questionable for multiples.
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You should rig some up with some smaller 3-4" swimbaits and head up to Oneida next year with it. As I'm sure you know, smallmouth are way competitive and it should work really well with them. Heck, I even caught a double on a single crankbait up there once, and a third was chasing his buddies up to the tube.
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He's always getting stuck on something though.. He loses more lures than i can think of.
Try it out and lmk how it works =)
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Two or three times this fall at Strawberry I would have multiple cutties follow and nip at their hooked friend. I believe multiples on your rig would be pretty common amongst the Cuts up there.
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[cool][#0000FF]I am guessing that once the 3-hook regulation is official, and more folks start using the A-rig, that we will be surprised at the number of multiples...and the different species that will respond well to it.
I was recently shown a rig on Bear Lake that has been effective for the trout up there. It is a 4 or 5 wire spreader with only "teaser" plastic grubs on them. But coming out of the middle is a 3 or 4 foot length of mono leader with a Rapala attached, running behind the spreader lures. Legal, with only one lure involved. And from what I was told it gets a lot of action.
Yep. Whenever you get schooling fish and competition for available food you can get mob attacks on individual lures...and hopefully multiple hookups with multiple lures.
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