Author: Evan Howard…….
The most amazing thing about the ever popular Alabama Rig, or A-rig as we shall call it, is the fact that it is extraordinarily easy to manufacture. Nothing more than a glorified umbrella rig, the A-rig consists of little more than wire, swivels, and snaps. It is merely a new means to present old baits. As the next installment in my series of articles on the A-rig, Alabama Rig Manifesto, this “How To” article will put the power of the A-rig in your hands for a mere fraction of the cost. In my humble opinion, the store bought, professionally manufactured A-rigs offer no advantages, over my home made version, to justify the cost. This article follows me, step-by-step, as I craft a four-arm A-rig out of simple, store bought materials using common, hand tools. I tried to capture a valid image that represents a significant movement in each stage of the build. Before we delve into the process, I must put up one disclaimer. If you are the suing type, please don gloves, eye p
rotection, helmet, personal flotation device, athletic supporter, and any other pieces needed to form a protective ensemble that will stave off injury and litigation. Now, without further adieu, How To Make An Alabama Rig.
Required Tools:
1. strong, American made diagonal cutters
2. strong, American made needle nose pliers
3. strong, American made channel lock pliers
4. vise
Required Materials:
1. orange flagged, survey stakes
2. medium gauge project wire
3. JB Weld epoxy putty
4. large, 1/0 swivels
5. large swivel snaps
Assembled Tools and Materials
Doubled survey stake wire
Continue to bend wire into the form of an eyelet with channel lock pliers
Thread swivel onto all wires so it sits evenly
Clip off desired length of project wire with diagonal cutters
With needle nose pliers, thread wire through wires and forcefully form wire into coil around A-rig arms
Coiled wire secures swivel in place and provides strength and rigidity during battle
Bend 270 degrees until an eyelet is formed
Secure the outside bend of the eyelet in your vise and, with needle nose pliers, wrap the tag end of the wire
around the shank of the A-rig arms spinnerbait style
This provides a near unfailing lure attachment
Near finished A-rig
Swivel snap lure connectors
Tear off small, dime sized, segment of epoxy putty and work with fingers until it it properly mixed as called for by directions
Shape around coiled project wire, careful not to impede the swivel action of the line tie
Finished A-rig ready for swimbaits and battle!
Your Alabama Rig is ready to be outfitted with whatever swimbaits you deem necessary to create the deception of a school of baitfish. I prefer using 1/8 or 1/4 quality jig heads with a quality, paddle tail swimbait that puts off plenty of vibration. To create a six arm rig, simply add one more piece of wire in the beginning step. A killer combo is the six arm rig with one arm dedicated to a willow leaf blade. Once finished, read my previous installment of Alabama Rig Manifesto and follow the link to watch Matt Peter’s Alabama Rig Supernova. A great piece of advice is to hold off pre-bending your rig arms until you tie it on or you will no fit it into your regular tackle box. Also, carry some small diameter, strong rubber bands to wrap around your rig arms and make a tidy package for storage. Good fishing everyone and feel free to add questions to the comment section.
