Skip to main content

The Alabama Rig

The artificial lure presentation that creates its own bait ball.



It's the hot lure that's hit largemouth bass circles so hard that some tournaments are already forbidding its use, but not before tournament angler Paul Elias won the October 2011 Lake Gunterville FLW Tour Open throwing it. Since then it's been THE talk of freshwater TV shows, bass fishing press and online discussion. Old is new again as the 5-bait Alabama Rig is a look-alike to the umbrella-style setups used to target striped bass. It even resembles a mullet dredge used by sailfish tournament anglers.

If you're not familiar with the Alabama Rig, it consists of a hard center (sometimes made of lead or ceramic material) that protrudes 5 wires with swivels attached to the ends. The fisherman's main line ties to the center piece and the lures attach to the snap swivels. A number of companies are already producing the rig with various materials in slightly differing configurations. Expect the hardware alone to cost about $30.

This video details the Alabama Rig:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWWB3pFYCQg

The success of the bait isn't surprising. This rig is vibrant and attractive when bass are schooled together—it's a bait ball practically. Anglers, so far, have attached plastic swimbaits, curly tails, grubs and frogs to the swivels, usually rigged weedless or with jigheads. Rig the bottom lure with a slightly heavier weight to prevent line twisting. Double hookups are not uncommon for anglers throwing the rig, plus single-hookups usually have the fish snagged to a couple different hooks.

But for all of its positive press, there are definite tackle-rigging considerations. Florida Sportsman members have already started a discussion mulling over its positives and negatives. Be careful where you fish this rig as some tournaments and even some states have outlawed the use of these umbrella-style rigs.

If you decide to throw the rig, tackle up with a stout 7- to 8-foot baitcasting rod laced with heavy braided line. The hefty tackle handles the casting and retrieving of a cumbersome rig that has more metal than your kid's braces. Try throwing the rig first in deep water to see what depth the baits swim. And hold on, when you get bit or snag weeds, your wrists will feel it! FS

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Extend Your Range in the Salt Marsh

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Florida's Capital Fishing

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 FULLY RIGGED Fishing Machine

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Mounting Forward-Facing Sonar on A Kayak: Mounts, Scanning Applications and More!

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

On The Water with Old Town: Bass Fishing at PRIVATE GEORGIA LAKE

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

DECKED-OUT Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 Complete WALK-THROUGH

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Dreambuild: Old Town ePDL Gets Rigged to the Hilt

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Kaku Zulu

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Kayak Hulls

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Kayaks and Saltwater Flats

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Videos

Kayak Fishing Fun 2023 Product Showcase

George Labonte meets with Jeff Toole and his sons aboard their custom-built 1987 Alumacraft 16' Jon Boat that they custo...
Store

Refurbished 1987 Alumacraft Jon Boat | One Man's Dreamboat

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now