Bassfan Feedback

• Guy Eaker Sr. of Cherryville, N.C. writes:

  Friday, April 26, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Paul is right, if you don't want to fish it, don't. But let the rest do what they like to do – keep catching fish.

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• Michael C. Evans of Ripley, TN writes:

  Friday, April 26, 2013

  A bait is a lure used to fool fish into biting. The A-Rig is nothing more than just that. The number of hooks should be regulated like it is in Tennessee, to three, I think. The A-Rig is here to stay and catch a bunch of fish in the process! Let's fish with it and enjoy ourselves catching them!

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• Joey Oultaw of Camden, SC writes:

  Friday, April 26, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Let me say that I don't like the U-rig, but I think Paul has it right. Shut up and fish. If it is so easy, why didn't everyone catch them at Douglas? There were a lot of guys using U-rigs that didn't catch fish. Guys are complaining that everyone has to use it in cold weather but they don't have the same complaint in Florida when everyone in the Top 10 are flipping. Thanks to Paul for standing up on this subject.

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• Paul Wallace of Cambridge City, IN writes:

  Friday, April 26, 2013

  I have stated I don't care whether the A-Rig is banned or not. What I do have a philosophical problem with is this: Ever see those adds in the backs of magazines that say something like "Lure banned by bass tournaments! Catches too many fish!"? I hate those.

  In my mind, there can be no such lure. Non-fishing people look at that and believe it, which in turn diminishes our sport. There is no magic lure. There can't be, or bass fishing would not be a game of skill, but simply using the lure no bass can resist. I believe we have to ride this new technique out to the end. Otherwise, we might as well all agree any Joe Lunch Box could have beat KVD or Ehrler if Joe was using the A-Rig.

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• Jeff Sullivan of Frostproof, FL writes:

  Friday, April 26, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – I have fished with Paul and never was treated better than by him and some others too. We won't count the 2-pound mullet I got hit with at 70 mph.

  I totally respect what Paul says because it is up to the state agencies and the organizations to set the required rules. I don't want to throw it and haven't as stated so before on this Feedback that BassFan offers us. I also live in Central Florida and it works, according to some, but I don't have to to have a good day. In competition, I'd have to and would if it was the best thing going.

  I think that most of the pros should address this or any of their desires to their respective organizations when they don't like the rules or management of those rules more so than in public, but I also don't want any type of silencing either. I love NASCAR also, but like saying you can't talk about the new G6 car and getting in trouble for stating your opinion about it? That's wrong, just like it would be for Paul or Randy or any other pro to be punished for their opinion about this or any part of this wonderful game that we love.

  Many people have spoken about this, maybe more than about Nate Wellman, and I am guilty of both. But I love the "shut up and fish," Paul.

  I say it this way and always have: Play by their rules or don't play. When in Rome, ...

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• Roy Barrow of Salisbury, NC writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – It will be too easy to simply point at Paul's comments and say they are "self-serving" given his high profile and experience fishing a rig. The fact of the matter is that the sport of professional fishing exists solely because of the sponsors and the dollars they pour into it. Take away the money and we are all fishing at the local lake for a case of beer and bragging rights (which might not be a bad thing in some ways!).

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• Ward Gardner of Little Rock, AR writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  I have no concerns regarding the biological impact of umbrella rigs. My concern is that this rig makes fishing non-competitive, as this device has no real competition from November until March in a large number of lakes across the U.S..

  Toledo Bend isn't clear enough for this thing to shine like it does in an upland reservoir. The rig hurts professional fishing as everyone has to throw it. Ask yourself this: Would you rather see 20-pound bag tournaments where it was 10 in the past while every contestant was doing the same thing, or would you rather see varied lures and smaller weights?

  For most of us, I think that's a no-brainer. I could care less if the only distinction in a tournament is the color swimbait a guy is using or how deep he's throwing it versus the other 100 that are chunking it.

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• Gregg Sanders of Jackson, TN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – This is the most factual article I have read about the Alabama Rig. Hidden agendas, not facts, have caused others to want it banned from tournaments. Way to go, Paul.

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• Bill Roberts of Fairfax, VA writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Balog on winning – Thank you, Joe, for this article. I've been around, and participated in, the sport of competitive bass fishing for over 30 years, and during this time I've observed three qualities that the very best all have in common. They are:

  1. Being a "20-pound guy." They have the physical ability to move their baits in a fashion that appeals, consistently, to larger than average-quality fish. In other words, if it's a jig bite, or a crankbait bite, etc., these guys are going to whack them;

  2. As you noted in the article, great attention to detail. All of the very best fishermen I have shared a boat with (Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, George Cochran, etc.) have razor-sharp memories and pay great attention to detail.

  3. Great awareness, described by Jason Christie in your article as "the sixth sense."

  Some guys have one or two of these qualities (like being a 20-pound guy), but only the very best have all three in abundance.

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• Jesse Powell of Bigfork, MN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Mr. Elias is a true legend of the sport and while I respect his opinion deeply, and always will, the A-Rig is far, far more than "just another tactic." When the A-Rig bite is on, almost nothing else will catch fish like it. There is no other lure like that.

  The A-Rig is perfectly fine for fun-fishing, where legal, but it should not be a part of major bass tournaments.

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• John Baird of Cordova, TN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  The rig should not be allowed. It's too easy for everyone to catch fish. To win a tournament before took some luck and quite a bit of skill to recognize what to do to catch fish. That is what seperates the men from the boys, so to speak.

  There are guys catching fish on the rig who might not be quite as skilled as what I consider a top angler – that guy is on the leaderboard now. But would he be without the rig? It does cause thought, doesnt it?

  One rod, one bait. The rig is not one bait.

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• Johnny McLean of Little Rock, AR writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – I have always respected Elias as an old-schooler, but after this article, I am pretty disappointed. I never expected him to make Iaconelli/Swindle-type comments. I guess maybe he needs the attention.

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• Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  Once again, the original B.A.S.S. rule did not state one bait or lure. The rule stated one rod in use at any one time.

  This rule was written in 1968 in the first B.A.S.S. rules and it was to prevent anglers from fishing plastic worms by casting out several rods and letting the plastic worm lay on the bottom until a bass picked it up. This was a popular method of fishing plastic worms when they first came on the market. Many anglers around Chattanooga fished them this way, so Ray and I wrote the rule to limit it to one rod at a time.

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• Dan Vesuvio of Kennesaw, GA writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  I work for a tackle manufacturer, so some may see me as biased due to my profession. But I am a fisherman first and foremost at heart. I am not a professional, but I fish local club tournaments. Here are my thoughts on the A-Rig.

  I have thrown this thing for hundreds of hours so I can learn the technique. That's all it is, folks, is another tool in the boat, an additional technique. For those who say it catches fish with every cast, I am saying those people have no idea what they are talking about and probably never threw it. Maybe they are just repeating something that they heard come out someone else's mouth.

  On many occasions the rig has to be thrown for several hours just to get a couple of bites. I have been out with guys throwing the rig and the other guy in the boat is kicking his butt throwing a crankbait or other lure. It works only under certain situations. Just as an example, when Brent Ehrler won on Lewis Smith Lake a few weeks back, he did it by throwing several types of lures. He finesse-fished deep with dropshots or shaky-heads. Then he caught a kicker fish on a rig. If you watch that tournament, the guys who were throwing rigs exclusively got their butts kicked.

  I see comments on here about diversity is taken away because of the rig. Well, by definition, diversity means to be inclusive, right? So how could you talk about being diverse but yet want to ban them. Makes no sense.

  For those who are concerned about the health of the fish, which we all should be, how many times have your hooks gotten imbedded in the sides of the fish when throwing a crankbait or topwater? Lots, right? They two, three or sometimes four sets of treble hooks. That's up to 12 hooks, but no complaints on that?

  Lastly, if you look at the shirts of the guys who want this thing banned, you will notice many are not sponsored by a rig manufacturer. As is always the case in life, follow the money trail and you will get the truth. In this case it may be tied to the lack of money going into the hands of some pros who do not have a rig sponsorship.

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• Miles Burghoff of Guntersville, AL writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Thought-provoking words coming from a professional I have the utmost respect for. An opinion from a legend like Mr. Elias is enough to try to give the A-Rig credit for factual findings rather than emotional reactions. As hard as we all try to be professional and do what's right for the sport, it will probably take more time to make an educated decision on the A-Rig's fate.

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• Robert Dixon of Lewistown, PA writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  Please people stop saying this is just another lure or another tool. It is not. It is five lures or five tools tied on one rod. It's not similar to anything else out there. If you could somehow rig up five Senkos on one rod, that would be similar to the A-Rig.

  I'm slightly embarrassed to be lumped in the same category as some of you "tournament bass fishermen" who seem to think the A-Rig is just another tool in our arsenals. It's not. It's three or five or now eight tools being used on one rod. It's beyond comprehension to me that some of you defend its use in tournament fishing. Yes, you still have to find fish, but we should find fish and throw one lure at them, not five.

  If you put two fishermen on the same school of fish and one is throwing the A-Rig with five lures on it and the other is throwing a crankbait, it's not even going to be close as to who catches more fish. How is this so hard for some of you to understand?

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• Wallace Calloway of Toledo Bend, LA writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Well said, Paul! I agree 100 percent. I bought a couple of rigs and yes, they will catch fish. Do they work all the time? No. I have caught as many as 75 fish one day and as few as zero on others. By the same token, I have done the same on shaky-heads.

  I see more problem here on Toledo Bend with meat hunters bed-fishing in the spring and keeping huge females and catching multiple limits of buck bass each day. I have notified game wardens numerous times of people catching a limit and taking it in and returning to catch another limit. If people follow the rules. the A-rig will have no more impact on the fishery than any other lure.

  I personally don't like throwing it because it is work. I believe that is part of the reason some of the pros are sniveling about it. The same as some don't want to throw C-rigs or "fairy wands."

  It's a tool. If you want to drive nails with a screwdriver instead of a hammer, then knock yourself out, but quit crying when you get your butt handed to you by someone willing to adapt.

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• Robert Allen of Calhoun, GA writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – I've always been a fan of Paul Elias, but honestly, his argument for umbrella rigs makes the point for those against them. Umbrella rigs tear fish up, period. I've caught my share of fish with puncture wounds and sores all over their bodies and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. A-Rig supporters like Elias don't care about fish mortality because it's not their problem once the weigh-in is over and the checks are written.

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• Robert Zerbe of Charlotte, NC writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Paul, thank you for presenting a well-written rebuttal to the many opposed to the rig. If the professional bass fishing tournaments want to continue on their path of national and worldwide recognition, attracting participants and fans, they must embrace, not outlaw, lures and techniques that force the field of professional anglers to develop new and better techniques in response in order to compete. As a professional for over 36 years, I commend that you are not of the mold to rest on your laurels and believe that tournaments should continue to be won on the same old techniques that have been around for years.

  Finally, you are spot-on in that most of the naysayers are stuck in a different mode of fishing (bank-beating, flippin', etc.) and rather than adapting as a professional, they'd prefer the non-professional path of outlawing a new advance in the sport we all love. Thanks again, Paul, and all the best on your continued successful career as a true professional bass angler.

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• Tammy Poss of Muscle Shoals, AL writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Very well said. Andy has been out with some biologists over the last few months. They said our fishery where the Alabama Rig was developed and fished for 2 years prior to anyone else throwing it had some of the healthiest fish seen. Quote: "Most dead fish we have found have been gut-hooked by a single-hook fishing method with the evidence still in their guts, not foul-hooked.

  Most complaints are so uneducated that it almost makes folks who are educated scatch their heads. Most educated fishing folks know that during the colder months that the fish are at their hardiest. I believe it has come down to people who have spent most of their time building a reputation for using one technique are not wanting to try another. It looks like they would want an opportunity to shine in another light.

  If you don't want to fish the rig, don't. But don't bully someone else in their choice of method.

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• Danny Blandford of Tell City, IN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – As a guy who has sold host-city sponsorships, run professional and collegiate events, and competed in countless tournaments ... amen, Paul! Good for you for chiming in on the debate. Like you, I'm pretty sure you have to throw the rig at fish to catch fish. It is a technique ... maybe even an art ... not a magic trick. Fish on!

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• Rick Pierce of Mountain Home, AR writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Great piece by Paul! While my opinion varies from his on tournaments, he put things in his words appropriately. The rig is being looked at by most all fisheries agencies. Some have reviewed regulations, some have altered them, and most all still monitor the developments. Andy Poss created this method a few years back and it took time to grasp it as he promoted the concept with five spinnerbaits at those regional shows, and yes, I had one back before the hype. It didn't gain traction until the swimbaits were used and Paul racked them on it. It is being paralelled to many developments, though the Senko, Sluggo, ChatterBait, Lunker Lure and others have not been so successful. Never has so strong a presentation ever been seen in the sport. While some others are still producers, none have ever been so dominant.

  Recreationally, the presentation method is going to be regulated and the anglers at the FLW on Beaver probably moved that bar with up to 18 baits in tiers of rigs. We trust those state agencies will adjust to fit their feelings of what is acceptable, protecting and maintaining a resource intended to provide both a food source and recreational uses, as well as those industries that depend on their strength.

  I remember when Dion Hibdon requested B.A.S.S. look at the double-Fluke rig as one presentation for competition. That was a hurdle enabled by the frontrunner baits. Now it's evolving into dropshot leads and Dion was Carolina-rigging a jig back then also. In Harold Sharp's days, one bait, one rod was the ruling with B.A.S.S.

  This rig brings a whole new aspect to competitive angling and now, after 18 months, things may have bordered ethical presentations, while legal. The tournament organizations must also now maneuver around what they feel is an ethical presentation. We can certainly do that with an acceptable concept that regulates our sport, without becoming dependent on vacillating regulations from state to state on this latest concept. We also should appear as good stewards or our sport's resources. There, I think, we may have failed in some areas.

  Agree or disagree, it is a good job by Paul on the rig topic.

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• Cameron Paul Jones of Sydney, Australia writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Great article, exactly to the point. Well done, Paul.

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• Jamie Cox of Lexington, KY writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Couldn't agree more, Mr. Elias!

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• Steve Brown of Oakland, TN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – My concern is not that it evens the field in tournaments, but what are the long-term effects it will have on our brood stock. You admit it has now exposed us to large schools of previously unharrassed large bass that are now being caugh and weighed in. This is being done on a tremendous level. Ask yourself this question; Is it good for the bass population of a lake if 20 boats launch in a one-day derby and the Top 10 all have between 21 and 30 pounds? The derby is in early March and is one of about four of that size being held on the lake that very day.

  After following up with other tournament directors you discover all these events were similar in results, with an average Top 5 bag in excess of 25 pounds. What I just described is a typical early-spring Saturday at Pickwick the past two winters. You're right, Paul, it is still unknown because it's too young of a technique. That is what concerns me. What impact does transplanting 125 to 150 bass that each weighed 6 pounds or more from their suspended mid-winter or pre-spawn school to a 5-foot deep marina boat ramp do to the health of the fishery?

  This scenario is repeated over and over from November through April. You do the math. I'm ignorant here, I admit. I do not have a clue what the impact is, if any. I began throwing the rig in November of 2011 and was amazed at the results. I've never duplicated that size of fish caught with any other technique unless I was in Mexico. But Pickwick ain't no tilapia lake.

  I do know this: If a person goes out from November through March and throws nothing but the A-Rig, he will catch larger fish on average that the guy slinging a jerkbait and jig. But in the end, who became better at honing their skill? I know some didn't like that last sentence, it smacks of purist or something similar. I talk to more and more folks who've done the rig now for two winters and they are ready to put it down for various reasons, but they can't if they derby-fish. I'm in the camp of banning it, but I will say I am glad I was around when all of the hullabaloo rolled in.

  In the end, the predator bass will let us know what impact it had. Let's hope all those worried were worried for nothing. Scary thing is we don't know, do we?

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• John Hempel of Brownstown, MI writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Couldn't have said it better myself.

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• Scott Thorpe of Nashville, TN writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  I like the rig myself. I have listened to people say it kills the fish with all those hooks. Crankbaits have hooks and they don't kill them. Fish do die from time to time after being caught. When the fish are on it, it's hard to beat, but as it gets hot they don't eat it near as well and other baits work better.

  Most of the ones who don't like it don't throw it and are getting beat by it. Five hooks might be a bit much here in Tennessee – three hooks are fine with me. Either learn to fish it or quit fishing tournaments because you're going to get beat if you're not throwing it, period.

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• John Kitchens of Atlanta, GA writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Well said, Paul. Well said!

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• Edward Dyer of Alto, MI writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – I recently won a buddy tournament on Table Rock Lake by over 11 pounds. The Alabama Rig played a big part in our win. A couple of other teams from Michigan that are friends of ours fished the tournament also. They tried the Alabama Rig and could not catch fish on it. Like Paul says, like any other technique, it doesn't work all the time or everywhere.

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• John A. Argese of Sayreville, NJ writes:

  Thursday, April 25, 2013

  RE: Elias opinion – Thank you, Paul, for injecting fact and common sense into the debate.

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• John Hempel of Brownstown, MI writes:

  Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  I like Harold Sharp's comment, he is telling it like it is. The U-rig is a big-fish lure. The so-called pros are mad because they are losing sales of their crankbaits. All tournament fishing is anyways is marketing of tackle, period.

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• Rusty Rommel of Poplar Bluff, MO writes:

  Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  I think umbrella rigs should be banned for tournament use. They take the challange, fun, and diversity out of tournament bass fishing.

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• Shannon Leamon of Church Hill, TN writes:

  Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  This U-rig discussion is definitely a hot topic, isn't it? There are as many for it as there are against it. I basically quit tournament fishing a few years ago and just go fishing on my terms now. I have never purchased one myself. I was given a homemade version by a friend to try and made about 10 casts with it one day and put it away to never use again. Too much work for just fun-fishing for me! But if I was fishing a tournament that allowed use of one, and it was pre-spawn conditions, I would dang sure be heaving it by the looks of things. It appears that if you are not using it in those conditions, you are fishing for last place.

  True, regardless of what lure you are throwing, you have to be around fish to catch them. Put the best fisherman on the lake on a bank with no fish on it and I don't care if he is using a U-rig, he still isn't going to catch anything.

  Maybe a good idea would be to form a tournament trail like the MLF where the anglers were only allowed to use one type of lure/presentation per tournament (spinnerbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, soft plastics Texas-rigged, soft plactics Carolina-rigged, U-rig, etc.). Every angler would have to be throwing the same style bait on the lake that day. That would make for interesting discussion/shows on the most versatile anglers and the best at finding/catching fish. If someone steals this idea, I want royalties!

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• Tony Davis of Williston, FL writes:

  Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – Great article, Randy. If enough tour guys will keep voicing their opinions about this maybe we can get it banned out of tournament competition and start seeing real fishing skills at the top of the leaderboard again.

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• James Hutcheson of Kingston, TN writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  The U-rig should be banned from all tournaments. It's the worst thing to ever happen to tournament fishing.

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• Robert Dixon of Lewistown, PA writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  I am deeply saddened that A-Rigs are allowed to be used in tournaments. I think it's beyond ridiculous that there are still people out there who think "it's just another lure." No, it is not another lure. It's another three lures or another five lures, or now another eight lures.

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• Mac McBroom of Springville, TN writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  The adherents of the umbrella rig want everyone to believe that the rig is "a lure." It is not. It is a device to present multiple lures. Kudos to B.A.S.S. for not allowing this device in Elite Series competition.

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• George Fedor of Castaic, CA writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  I feel this is an oft-stated but way overblown position. The A-Rig to be used successfully takes a large amount of know-how and know-where. It is a similiar bait to a swimbait or even a Senko in that it has the capacity to be the best tool for the job at any given time. It is not a magic wand that guarantees victory, but it is an extremely effective technique that requires consideration by an angler approaching a fishing trip.

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• Steve Forner of Sebastian, FL writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  It seems to me the better fishermen win regardless of what bait they're throwing. The Chrities and Ehlers of the world will beat you no matter what they're allowed to throw.

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• Ryan Chandler of Valparaiso, IN writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  The A-Rig, the U-rig, the Carolina rig and the dropshot rig are all just that _ rigs. We as anglers choose one of these options everytime we reach down on the deck of our boat and grab a rod.The U-rig does not have special powers to make the fish eat it. You as an angler have to make that happen. Most anglers have them now in their boats and the fish are getting used to seeing them and its now that you as an angler who dyes the tips of his tails in chartreuse that you are going to have to be creative in these baits as well.

  For those of you who choose not to throw them, I am 100 percent behind you. I feel the same way about throwing a shaky-head – I cannot stand it and choose not to throw it and a lot of times that's a very bad choice and I know and accept it. The same should go for the A- or U-riggers. Choose not to throw it if you don't like it and take your lumps along the way, the same as I do with a shaky-head.

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• Burnie Haney of Calcium, NY writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  Interesting flare-up of the negattive comments concerning the umbrella rig and 99 percent of the naysayers declare it makes tournament bass fishing too darn easy. I've personally logged over 300 hours throwing only the A-Rig while chasing Oneida Lake smallmouth bass and I can tell you it is not the end-all, be-all. I believe most folks complaining about how easy it is have never truly fished it for an 8-hour trip, let alone consecutive days. The reality is they've likely tried it and experienced limited to no success with it, therefore they deem it bad for the sport.

  It's a tool, plain and simple. One can either learn how to use it our not – it's the angler's choice. The same as flipping or dropshotting, if you aren't any good with either of those techniques, does it mean they're bad for the sport just because a guy who is smoked your bag with it? I think not.

  I'm a pretty simple guy and if the umbrella rig were that easy to use, then why do we see just a handful of anglers enjoying predictable, yet seasonal success?If it were truly that easy, then why can't any tournament fisherman that picks it up just cast out and score the winning limit? It's a technique that must be masterd and employed under the right conditions – water clarity, bait and depth – before you can truly score big. So if you aren't willing to learn how to use it, don't complain about how easy it is, because I can tell you it isn't easy and you have to want to throw that thing all day long to learn what it can really do.

  Oh, and it's great for walleye, pickerel and a few beefy rock bass or gigantic perch from time to time. But the secret weapon or magic bullet, well, that's not the umbrella rig. Sorry to Randy, Mike and the rest who don't like it, but if it were truly that easy, then why can't every pro on the trails that allow it score big with it?

  The stats are what they are. We don't have to like what they show us, but we ought to be able to at least agree on what we're looking at.

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• Jim Liner of Pintlala, AL writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  We outlawed the umbrella rig at Ray Scott's Trophy Bass Retreat because the five-hook rig cut the fish around the face when hooked. Also, the heavy braided line used for this application broke some of our fish structures. It is far more sporting to use a single lure.

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• Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  Every lure manufacturer or designer strives to make a lure that will catch every bass that gets near it. Every angler hopes to catch a bass on every cast.

  The A-rig catches big bass because it is a big bait. Large bass are looking for a large food bite. How many 10-inch bass have you caught on a large Spook or those trout-size lures? Big baits attract big bass, that's why the A-rig works, so if you ban the A-rig someone will invent a 12-inch crankbait or spinnerbait.

  Creel limits will always protect the bass overkill – the state agencies will see to that. How much skill does it take to chunk and wind a crank bait? The same as it does to fish the A-Rig.

  The A-rig works because it is a very large bait, not because it has five hooks. Many crankbaits have three sets of trebles – nine hooks.

  Contestants cannot run pro bass tournaments anymore than the inmates can run the prisons. It will not work.

  Big lures catch big bass, it's that simple.

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• Marion Anderson of Mechanicsville, MD writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion –I couldn't agree more about the A-Rig. I haven't caught a fish on it yet, but did buy one due to the hype. Now I have to make myself leave it at home to enjoy the thinking part of the game.

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• Ronnie Baker of Providence Forge,Va writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – I had the privilege of fishing with Randy Blaukat on the Potomac last spring. Randy did not seem to be an opininated person and was a pleasure to spend the day in the boat with. I sincerely believe his words for concern on this subject and that they carry good wisdom. The rig does take versatility out of tournament fishing and I can also see it affecting future lure sponsorships for these guys.

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• John Ensor of Elizabethton, KY writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – Great article – right on the money. The rig is taking all the mystery out of fishing. You now have a new fan. Hang in there.

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• Hal Moore of Franklin, TN writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – I agree. It should not be allowed in tournaments. Too dominating!

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• Wiliam Price of Blacksburg, VA writes:

  Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – I agree with some aspects of Blaukat's comments, but to think the A-Rig is the reason behind poor tackle sales is crazy. The tackle industry is killing itself because of the high prices for lures that are cheaply made in foreign countries! Most pros don't pay for lures. It's the weekend guys who have to spend their hard-earned money on what is usually junk that breaks!

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• Sean Skey of Sumter, SC writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  Let me see if I understand this correctly. We have $60,000 bass boats with Down Imaging, SideScan, 360-degree imaging, Power-Poles, Hydorwaves, etc., etc., and this one bait is "dumbing down" the sport of bass fishing? Really? It's the evolution of the sport, plain and simple. This bait is no different than any other. It's new to the fish, so it's catching them.

  I can't help but think of the stories from my childhood, listening to my dad and grandfather telling me about when the Charlie O and the Deadly Dudley first came out. Sounds very familiar. The old plastic-worm fishermen were at a loss as to this "miracle" bait that was catching fish all over the country. I believe history is repeating itself.

  Also, I'm sure the 1982 Bassmaster Classic champion and current B.A.S.S. record-holder for heaviest winning total appreciates so many "experts" telling him that any "dummy" can catch fish on the A-rig.

  I can't help but wonder, how much of this is a pride thing? Some anglers have embraced the change and others have been opposed (as the old plastic-worm fishermen were) and subsequently have not done as well.

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• Ken Kraft of Columbus, GA writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – Probably one of the most accurate editorials I've ever read. Kudos to Randy. I have been working hard to keep the U-rig out of local tournaments and will continue to do so.

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• Dave Morgan of Knoxville, TN writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat opinion – Have to agree with Randy's comments across the board on the A-Rig. I catch fish with it as well and throw it begrudgingly becasue other people can use it. No doubt it catches fish, and big ones at that, but I wish it was banned across the board on all professional as well as amateur trails. So much of the skill level that used to be needed has now been taken away by this one lure.

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• Michael Neal of Dayton, TN writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  So many of us pros are complaining about the umbrella rig being allowed in FLW Tour tournaments. But in reality, what has it changed? Look at the two events in which the rig has played a role: Beaver and Smith. Winner of Beaver? Jason Christie. Winner of Smith? Brent Ehrler.

  So does this mean that the umbrella rig is strictly a "chunk and wind and reel 'em in bait?" Absolutely not! The top fishermen will still continue to be the top fishermen with or without the umbrella rig. Look at the same names that are always among the top ranks in the FLW Tour standings. Brent Ehrler, Koby Kreiger, Jacob Powroznik, Jay Yelas, Andy Morgan, Jason Christie (all Top 10), Brandon Coulter, Stacey King, Ray Scheide, Bryan Thrift, Mark Rose, Jimmy Houston, Scott Suggs.

  If you can't catch fish on it or don't like to throw it, that's on you. But it seems pretty apparent to me that if it is "ruining" the appearance and making it to where anyone can catch fish, things really haven't changed much to reflect that as far as the standings go.

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• Roy Barrow of Salisbury, NC writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  This anti-U-rig position is illogical and indefensible. By this same logic, we should limit all "pro events" to fishing no more than three lures - a Texas-rigged worm, a jig and a crankbait - their choice of size/color. That would really make the playing field level, except for the B.S. that continues at every event where the "pros" use local anglers to find their fish.

  Mystery lakes with limited tackle are the only real way, but it will never happen ... the money in the sport comes from the folks who sell things like worms, electronics, boats and yes, even U-rigs. I don't fish for bedding fish, but I have no issue chunking a U-rig. It's just another lure.

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• Bennett Morris of Collierville, TN writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  So, why don't you like A-Rigs. There are baits with numerous hooks that everyone is okay with, so there is no difference. Most crankbaits have two sets of treble hooks, six hooks that can catch a fish. Stinger hooks are used on spinnerbaits, there are topwater baits that have three or four sets of trebles on them. Are they an advantage?

  Look at all the new designs of hooks – wide gap, extra wide gap, octopus, straight shank, etc. They are all for the advantage to go to the angler. Even though you may not like A-Rigs, they will continue to be used and if you wish to have a chance, they are a good lure to use in the right conditions.

  No one will ever agree on this subject. Myself, i will use every legal advantage to catch fish, period.

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• Pat Leach of The Colony, TX writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – Way to go Randy. I totally agree with your assessment of the umbrella rig. Leave it in the hands of the weekend fun angler. I don't think it has a place in any tournament at any level.

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• Kelly Owens of Crowley, LA writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – More of you at the tour level need to continue to hammer away. I have continued to say exactly what is in this column.

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• Koby Kreiger of Okeechobee, FL writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – Holy cow! Really, the u-rig in some form or another has been around for years. It's been used in saltwater fishing and striper fishing for a long time and now has been modified so you can cast it, and all of a sudden it's going to been the end of fishing?

  Just because you are throwing a u-rig doesn't mean you are going to catch a fish. You still have to throw it where one lives. Have you ever heard of a front-runner, double-fluke rig, a double dropshot rig or a sabiki rig? Where are all the naysayers? Haven't heard much on that stuff. Maybe we should just quit coming up with new baits and all go back to flashers. Get rid of down imaging, shallow-water anchors, side scan, braided line and all lifelike baits.

  People, it's not magic. Remember the ChatterBait? It had its run. So did the Mann's Jelly Worm. Don't worry folks, in a year or two you will be whining about something else and wondering what to do with all your old u-rigs.

  The u-rig works well in pre-spawn conditions and in the fall. And it doesn't work everywhere. I see a lot more people throwing the rig and not catching fish than I see catching fish. Just because you cast a u-rig around doesn't make you any less of a fisherman and it doesn't make you a better fisherman, either.

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• Keith Iddins of Knoxville, TN writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – I am in total agreement with Randy.

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• Jason Smith of Florence, AL writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – I agree 100 percent. It has taken a lot of skill out of fishing. I have thought about quitting fishing BFLs and the EverStart Series because of A-Rigs. There is no question in my mind – FLW should do the right thing and ban it on the tour for sure like B.A.S.S. did.

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• Robert Karbas Jr. of Wake Forest, NC writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – Very well said, Randy, and very true.

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• Kenny Wiley of Eads, TN writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-Rigs – 100% agree! B.A.S.S. has it right. Should be banned in all leagues.

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• Kevin J. McCarthy, Sr. of Gaithersburg, MD writes:

  Monday, April 22, 2013

  RE: Balog on U-Rigs – Way to go, Joe! As far as I'm concerned, it's baiting, pure and simple. Add to that a HydroWave and it's like adding a predator call to the spread of apples or corn you just put out. I think both should be banned from professional competition. Where's the "pro" in "professional" anymore?
  

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• Jack Miller of Pickerington, OH writes:

  Sunday, April 21, 2013

  RE: Blaukat on U-rigs – I could not agree more with Randy's opinion. Hopefully states will do what FLW and other lesser circuits have failed to do to help us protect the fisheries from ourselves. I note Indiana now limits them to two baits and Ohio to three, and hopefully others will follow.

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• Jesse Powell of Bigfork, MN writes:

  Sunday, April 21, 2013

  Amen, Mr. Balog. The umbrella rig should be treated like live bait or trolling: fine for recreational angling (where legal) but illegal in high-level tournaments. Jason Christie, who won an FLW Major throwing the thing, said he hates throwing it, but has no choice in FLW because it is so effective. Just eliminate it and make the top guys prove why they're there.

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• Larry Jones of Detroit, MI writes:

  Sunday, April 21, 2013

  RE: Federation champion – I Just want to congratulate Mark. Go for it! A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step and you have taken that step. Good luck!

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