MY A-rigs/U-rigs Q and A

Ok guys and gals, ive been hit with a lot of messages on how to use these rigs. Finally since i have more than just an hour to park my butt on a couch with a laptop, i can finally answer some of these.

They are considered A-rigs, but I treat them more like U-rigs overall.

First off, i will start with a question i got from a popular member here pissed off that i charged just a dollar more per rig than the big box bass pro shops. If you look at the common "yumbrella" rigs, and even the strike king titanium rigs, you will see that #1, these are some of the most cheapest snap swivels you could possibly use. id be embarassed to use these. All it will take is one good fish to make you angry.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psi5vbf0nb.jpg

here is an actual rig i have on my work bench from the strike king titanium. no bueno.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps7qbihplh.jpg

#2 and most importantly, I use split rings and a better grade wire on mine. the split rings are the ticket. Now that some lurkers from this site read this that run tackle shops whos names i will not mention see this, i am sure they will be slapping on some split rings and call it the latest and greatest. Its ok, they still wont make it right. regardless, I do not rely on income from this. its just to further fund my terrible habit of fishing.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psln99e1ib.jpg

HOW TO RIG:

I like using 1/8 oz or 3/8 oz "spearhead" jigheads with sassy shad. I have also used roadrunner heads with great success as well. you can use bucktails however i personally prefer to use rubber.

I like to put them about 50yds behind the boat then on the downrigger.

the 1/8ozers will run +5 ft what the downrigger will read
the 3/8ozers will run +8 ft or so.

I also like putting them on the outside on leadcore about 1 1/2 color when there is great surface activity (which will run approx 10-12ft)

I am on to something on Lake Norman and even Lake Wateree trolling these rigs. I cant answer for every lake, but every person that has fished with me has seen these catch fish time and time again when others cannot buy a bite as was last weeks tournament when we consistently had doubles fishing in the middle of a crowd.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psgtssdmva.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps2o9ctce5.jpg

I spent today catching up and making some more instead of fishing. Have 14 fresh ones available.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...sxa8tfmfp.jpeg


hope this answers most questions and calms down my inbox a little ;)

Pete

Great post Pete. Thanks for sharing.

Pete, I completely agree with those cheap swivels. I bought one from BP a couple of years ago and on about the 3rd cast I lost 2 shad bodies. The swivel literally fell apart. Frustrating to say the least. I've never minded paying a couple of extra bucks for quality. Your setup looks really nice.

Pete question: For the ones of us that don't have downriggers can you still use them effectively? Thanks

I use large saltwater type u-rigs for stripes, trolling mat 2 mph and a bit over. Always looking for ways to improve. I have to admit that I've never thought about using a smaller rig for crappie.

I have downriggers but but don't use them with the U-rigs, I can get them down to 25 feet without downriggers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eatmorecrappie

Pete question: For the ones of us that don't have downriggers can you still use them effectively? Thanks

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yes you can.

use them on mono about 50yds behind the boat. my guess is that they will run 10-15ft before you get the blowback (using big motor)

A hot thing on Lake Norman right now is guys trolling these with the trolling motor and planner boards. they will move about 1.5 and do pretty well. ive never tried this method because i am really not set up for it

Pete
What do you think the split rings does different than one without? I agree that quality swivels and heavy duty wire are needed to hold up to hard fighting fish.
Thanks for the informative post.

Little better action on the baits, and if you do bend a swivel, you can easily change it out.

What kinda rod you using to troll these or cast them?
Could a person troll them .8mph and get down to 20ft deep? Maybe bigger baits?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TowboatTroller

What kinda rod you using to troll these or cast them?
Could a person troll them .8mph and get down to 20ft deep? Maybe bigger baits?

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let out more line if you want to go deeper

Lots of line. I usually run 1/4 oz heads on pete's rigs with a 3/4 oz bucktail on the center. I let our 150 to 200 yards of 40 lb braid and can get them on down there to probably 18 to 20 feet trolling at about 2.5 mph. I have added a 1 oz egg sinker above the swivel I use for my 5 foot fluorocarbon leader to get deeper, but now usually just put them on the down rigger if I want to go deeper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TowboatTroller

What kinda rod you using to troll these or cast them?
Could a person troll them .8mph and get down to 20ft deep? Maybe bigger baits?

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I troll with medium or MH heavy ugly sticks and 20-25lb line.

I troll around 2.0 and have no problem running them 8-12ft, so at that speed, i am sure it will not be a problem.

Thanks Pete. Didn't know why you trolled so fast? Usually slower does better for me. Guess in spawn on suspended crappie it triggers bite more?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TowboatTroller

Thanks Pete. Didn't know why you trolled so fast? Usually slower does better for me. Guess in spawn on suspended crappie it triggers bite more?

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targeting Striper and hybrids

Sorry Pete but you're not supposed to sell in the forums. There is a Member Sponsored Classified Ads forum for that purpose.