A-Rig Tricks: Everything You Need To Know For Spring And Winter Bass Fishing

We all know A-Rigs catch big bass in Spring and Winter. But how do you build an Alabama Rig? Which heads work the best, which wire shapes last the longest, and which A-Rigs won't break when you need them most? Where should you fish with the rig and does that change in Spring and Winter? We've done all the hard work, let us show you exactly how we take an A-rig from the package to the mouth of a big bass!

There is no question, the A-rig changed big bass fishing forever! Its not the end all, be all of big bass, but its a great tool and its here to stay. If the Alabama Rig continues to stump you, you're going to love this video! Matt takes two different styles of rig from package to complete build out, complete with the exact modifications the guys use. He also covers why each component is used, and even includes really detailed information on different wire bends to get the most out of your rigs. 

Once the building portion of the video is done he goes in-depth into where fish are position right now in Winter, and where they will be positioning as we enter the pre-spawn. All of the different components, baits, rigs, etc... are linked below. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. Not all rigs are created equal, some are too stiff, some break too often, and some are near perfect. Here are our favorites... 

The Rigs... 

-Favorite Bladed Rig: HogFarmer BFL Flex: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

-Favorite Non-Bladed Rig: HogFarmer Cali Crush: http://bit.ly/39Iuy1M

-Budget Rig: Yum Flash Mob Jr: http://bit.ly/2bgDGNu

Other Reliable Rigs... 

Bladed- G Funk Bladed Cali: http://bit.ly/2rZhST7

Non-Bladed- G Funk Cali: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

Swimbait Heads... 

Heavy Wire- Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Light Wire- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Best Size: 1/8 ounce

Components... 

Keepers- Owner CPS Springs (Medium): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Swimbaits... 

-13 Fishing Churro (3.5): https://bit.ly/2LLeRA6

Colors- Mojito, Blue Collar, Moonlight Clan

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors- Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Sizes: 3.8, 4.3, 4.8

Best Tools... 

Split Ring Pliers- Texas Tackle Executive: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

**The Zodias Rod Can Be Backordered and should arrive soon**

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader: Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Fishing Below Freezing For Big Bass! Chickamauga In Winter!

Its Frozen solid! Its 21 degrees but Matt and Tim are back on the water for some Winter bass fishing. Come along for a frozen day on Chickamauga as the guys put together a really nice bag of fish. They're throwing reaction baits despite the frigid temperatures and its working!

Winter fishing doesn't have to be boring. The guys were faced with brutal post-front, frozen conditions but were able to power through it with a blade bait and an Alabama Rig. If you're willing to cover water and build patterns, Winter fishing can be a blast! The lakes are peaceful, the fish are big, and when you put the right reaction baits in front of them, they're aggressive! 

Below you'll find links to all the baits used in the videos. We included the colors we were using as well as the hook and hardware upgrades we made to help our hookup ratios in the cold water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Blade Bait... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Holo Cyber Purple, Real Shad

Blade Bait Hook Upgrades... 

Hooks- Owner STX-38 (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Ring Sizes: #3 for Belly and Back, #2 for Tail

Tim's Alabama Rig... 

Rig- Hog Farmer BFL Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Swimbait Color: Electric Shad

Matt's Alabama Rig... 

Rig- Hog Farmer BFL Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- 13 Fishing Churro 4.25": http://bit.ly/2LLeRA6

Swimbait Color: Moonlight Clan

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Tim's Blade Bait Combo...  

Rod- Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Blade Bait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6'8" Medium XFast: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

How To Catch Bass In Cold Water Without Slowing Down!

Winter fishing doesn't have to be boring! So many anglers have fallen into the trap of slow, methodical fishing in the Winter. Did you know you can trigger a feed response by speeding up? Its true! Matt explains the keys to getting consistent bites in the coldest Winter temperatures without ever slowing down. 

The key to consistent Winter bites with reaction baits is understanding what it takes to "trigger" a feed response. Its also key to understand all baits are not created equal. Cold water separates the perfectly balanced, perfectly tuned baits, from the endless stream of new tackle hitting the market every year. If you want to be consistent in Winter, fish the right baits with proper technique and its only a matter of time before you start catching quality fish. 

There are 3 very different approaches to Winter. You can swimbait for a giant, finesse fish for consistent action, or power fish with bite triggering retrieves to try and find the best of both worlds. Whichever path you choose, Winter fishing is worse the effort. Its incredibly peaceful, there is minimal boat traffic, and the odds of catching a big bass are very high. 

Below you'll find links to the 5 styles of baits we use to trigger a feed response. We've included our favorite baits, favorite colors, and hardware upgrades where relevant. We've also included our favorite equipment for some of these techniques. All of the links go directly Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Related Videos... 

-Winter Reaction On Chickamauga: https://youtu.be/hLC67fc3vqw

-Cold Water Crankbaits In-Depth: https://youtu.be/FPaL13899uc

Main Crankbaits... 

Our Deep Diver- R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Ghost Minnow, DD Minnow, Mirrored Minnow

Shallow Diver- Rapala Ott's Garage Slim 06: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Live River Shad, Green Gizzard Shad, Rootbeer Craw

Other Phenomenal Winter Cranks... 

Shallower Cover- Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Colors: Phantom Green, Green Craw

Mid Depth- Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: PM Kisyu Ayu, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

Deep Diving- Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: PM Kisyu Ayu, MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi

Alabama Rigs... 

-HogFarmer BFL FLEX Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

-G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

A-Rig components... 

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech 4.3" or 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire #4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Jerkbaits... 

Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: GP Pro Blue, Elegy Bone, Ito Tennessee Shad, Mat Shad

Lipless Crankbaits... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad
-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: Ghost Minnow, RT Scale Minnow, SG Threadfin

Blade Baits... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu

Blade Bait Component Upgrades... 

Line Tie: Owner Hyperwire #3 Split Ring: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hook Rings: Owner Hyperwire #2 Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks: Owner ST-36 Size 6: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Jerkbait/Blade Bait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6'8" Medium XFast: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Winter Bass Fishing: Crankbaits, Blade Baits, and A-Rigs For Cold Water Bass

We're back on the water at Chickamauga and the bass are biting! Most anglers think of January as finesse fishing time but that's not what we're doing! While finesse can be effective, there is something rewarding about successfully power fishing in cold water. Come along as we throw everything from crankbaits to A-rigs in search of Winter bass. 

There are 3 ways to consistently catch fish in cold water. Two weeks ago Matt talked about the power of a swimbait for drawing bites from large fish. Last week Tim discussed the benefits of finesse fishing and how you can consistently catch fish in Winter. Today we're demonstrating how to power fish in Winter by eliciting a core feed response in the bass. Its not about whether or not they want to bite, its about reacting to a fast moving, erratic bait. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits Matt fished in the video. He's included the color he was throwing for each as well as the hook upgrades for the crankbait. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

The Baits... 

-Rapala Ott's Garage Bait 06: http://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Color: Live River Shad 

**Can Be Backordered**

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Color: Ghost Minnow

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response Blade: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Color: Ito Hiuo

-Damiki Vault Blade: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Real Shad

-Hog Farmer Flex BFL Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

Hooks- Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech Swing Impact 4.3 Fat: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea Tactical DD75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: Ghost Minnow

Crankbait Hooks and Split Rings... 

Rings- Owner Hyperwire #3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks- Owner ST-35 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Matt's Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Deep Crank Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz