| Bruce Camp's Local Fishing Report Feb. 16th edition |
Bruce Camp
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 Matt Arey displays the rig he uses called the “Raker rig”, these can be found at www.blademasterlures.com This photo was taken during last week’s practice on Lake Hartwell.
The retirees fished Lake Wylie last week and new blood rose to the top. James Haynes and Tommy Wess brought in 13.90 and took the win. Ned Blanton and Tony Black had 12.55 and were second followed by Mack Wyatt and Johnny Christainberry with 10.30. There was a tie on big bass of the day, the teams of Hayne/Wess and Wyatt/Christainberry had a 3.50 largemouth.
This week the retirees head to Lake Norman.
A-rig
Move over Carolina and Texas, the Alabama rig has moved in and taken ALL the glory. Anglers have fish Texas rigs and Carolina rigs for ages, it wasn’t until last fall that the new kid became the talk of the fishing world. Just how big is it?? The Bass Master magazine has had articles on it for the last 4 or 5 months, something I have never seen on 1 specific bait. Everywhere you go, people are talking about it. Locals and pros alike are using this bait with more success than most have ever had while fishing. “You have got people winning tournaments and bringing in catches like they have never been close to before”, said local pro fisherman Matt Arey.
Matt and I along with another fishing buddy of ours, Johnny Davis sat down at lunch last week and talked about this potentially revolutionary bait. I wanted as many perspectives as I could get. Matt as both a professional, and as a guide, Johnny as a tournament angler, mostly on the local scene and myself as the typical weekend, go when I can guy. Before I go any deeper into this, let me explain to those that do not know, this is one bait with several “arms” leading off with anywhere from 3 to 6 baits tied to the leading head of the bait, thereby giving the impression in the water as a school of bait fish swimming along.
First I ask Matt, as a pro, how do you feel about this bait. “I hate it!”, he said without hesitation. Some of my fellow touring buddies say it is not ethical, I don’t go along with that but I do say it is the ‘Ultimate Equalizer’. This bait covers more water efficiently making bigger fish bite, it is catching fish in both numbers and size unlike anything ever before. I think it can seriously damage our overall fisheries.” Johnny adds “it makes it easier for the average guy to catch fish. You don’t have to be as precise with a bait anymore. If you go to Lake Wylie or Norman or any of the local tournaments right now and DON’T throw it, You will get beat, its just that simple, cause everybody and their brother are throwing it.”
Ok, so now we see that this bait is making average or even below average fishermen good. What does Matt say about the A-rig as a guide? “I love it! I can take people out and not give up any real tournament spots and they can catch anywhere from 30 to 50 even 75 a day AND catch some big fish too”. Matt and Johnny agreed that you can find a drop with fish on it and normally use 4-7 baits on it to catch those fish, you can now throw this thing ALL day and catch almost all those fish, be it tournament, guide trip or fun fishing, this thing is for real.
There are many versions of this rig, the original is the Alabama rig, but as with all good lures/baits, there are many copies of them out there, not saying any are better or worse, just saying they are available.
If anyone has any suggestions on stories or pictures of their catch or kill, you can e-mail me at plail5@carolina.rr.com. TITLE THE E-MAIL STORY OR PICTURE “FOR SHOPPER” OR I WILL ASSUME IT’S JUNK MAIL AND NOT OPEN IT.
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