umbrella rig

Fishing for Bass with the Umbrella Rig

Umbrella rigs are fishing rigs that use a series of wire arms to give an angler the ability to cast multiple baits.

Depending on how they are arranged and weighted, umbrella rigs can be used at a variety of different depths and situations.

These rigs are also known as Alabama rigs or A rigs, and can be an important tool to help catch bass. 

How to make your own umbrella rig:

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What You Need and How to Make an Umbrella Rig

In order to create an umbrella rig for bass fishing, you will need to get your hands on some 40 to 50 pound test braided line for your main fishing line, a 5-wire multi-lure rig, two ⅛ ounce jig heads, three ¼ to ½ ounce jig heads, and five 4 inch reaction strike thin shad baits

Once you get all of these items, you are ready to start building this rig.

  • First, take the 5 wire rig, and put the ⅛ ounce jig heads on the upper two wires, and attach the ¼ or ½ ounce jig heads to the other 3 wires.
  • Next, rig on the shad baits to each of the jig heads.
  • Lastly, tie the entire wire rig onto your main fishing line. It is as simple as that, and you have now made an umbrella rig!

Bass Fishing with This Rig

A big tip when using this rig is to make sure that all of the jig heads are well balanced throughout the umbrella wire. Most fish will likely be caught on either the middle or bottom jigs, so it is important to have it balanced well in order for it to move through the water correctly and look more lifelike. 

You should also avoid adding any more lines or leaders to this, as it will make it much more prone to tangling on itself and in any brush while fishing.

Bass ready to take your umbrella rig

Keeping the wires as close together as you can will also help keep them from tangling with anything found in the water. This rig was designed to constantly be in motion in order to mimic a school of baitfish, so the retrieve is just as important as the actual rig!

Final Thoughts

Bass can sometimes be tricky fish, and you may need to try something completely different to entice a bite. An umbrella rig can be the perfect choice on those days when nothing else seems to be working, and they are a lot of fun to fish with as well!

Updated: August 20, 2021