I got a Strike King ti A-rig umberlla 5 wire set-up. I'm running a 3/16" strike king jig head with zoom swimmin super flukes in whitepearl. I'm wondering what type rod would be the best to work this bait with. I have a Shimano flipping stick with a Shimano Black Magnum baitcast reel the one with the fighting drag switch. It is my dads old flipping rod and reel from the late 80's I'd say. I also have a new Shimano Crucial rod MHF 7' with a Lew's 7.1 speed spool reel on it. These are the best options I think I have. I have both loaded with #12LB trilene mono.

 

Do you guys think one of the two rods would be ok for this heavy of a bait. The flipping rod state up to 2oz lure on the rod.

 

Also any hints about fishing a a-rig would be nice. this is my first time out with one.

1. You will for sure need different line. I use 65lb braid, but have used 25lb floro and it works too. I would not throw the arig on anything less than 20lb.

2. I use the Irod Genesis II Arig rod. It's awesome! The rods you have listed seem to be underpowered a bit.

3. This is not the ideal time of year to throw the arig. It's more of a October through April kinda bait. It will catch fish this time of year, but isn't the best option, IMO.

Well first thing about fishing an umbrella rig, be patient.  Some days are good, other days are well that's why we call it fishing. The rig you have I personally haven't fished, but have fished a few others. I started with a MH 7'6" Fast action rod but found out that I would pull hooks.  Prefer to use 30lb braid with a 20-25lb mono topshot. I have although switched to a 7'6"MH BPS Crankin Stick.  Like the softer tip action as it keeps me from pulling hooks which happened on the heavier flipping rod.  I would also switch to a little slower gear ratio.  My preference is a 5:4 as it lets me keep the bait moving and really like the bladed umbrella rigs so it makes it a bit easier with a lower gear ratio.    But the biggest advice I have is in the first statement......be patient.  Most I know have tried to fish these rigs and after about 2hrs of no bites quickly abandon it for something else.  They tend to produce best in fall through the post spawn, so summer is a bit tough. I try and use as light a leadhead as I can as well as have different swimbaits and grubs I fish depending on what the situation calls for.  If the primary forage of where you're fishing is about 3" long, try and match the hatch and you will have better success.  Good luck.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/DHC7-761-CAHFS-primmus-review.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/DHC7-761-CAHFS-primmus-review.html

Wow.  If I'm reading this right, you and Kent are suggesting traveling north of 5 bills for an A-rig combo.   I know, I know all about the price/cost is relative conversations and debates...but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this one.

You definitely want to use the heavier rod to throw A-rigs like you describe and need to re-spool with heavier line. I'd go 65# on the braid. If the lighter braid digs in or gets backlashed you may kiss your rig goodbye. Ideally a swimbait rod is the way to go if you ever buy a dedicated setup. The A-rig is a specific tool for specific conditions, bass chasing schools of bait. You get this all summer in some places like Wallenpaupack in PA, but for the most part it's a seasonal pattern.

Here in the Mid South stripers are in play right now and throughout the summer months.

Although my rig is powerful, my rigs are light. This would be representative of my set-up:

 

Outside arms rigged with thin wire 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks/ LFT Live

Magic Shad, no weight. 

 

Inside arm rigged with a Johnson Silver Minnow

 

I still don't like casting The Rig, I prefer trolling, especially for stripes.

I purchased a St. Croix mojo bass swimbait rod rated for 1-4 oz. It suits me just fine and at a slightly over $100 price range it didnt break the bank.

Ok I like the looks of the St Croix rod mentioned above. Now What reel should I be looking at. I have a few older Bantam made reels for Shimano in the 5.3 ratio. I would like to use that one for a little while and look into a new reel for the new rod. I like the Lew's Speed spool reels not super pricey but seems to be a real good reel. I'd like to keep the reel in the 130 dollar or so mark so that I could get away with a dedicated rod/reel for under 270-300 mark.

Shimano Black Maxx?  Anyway, the St. Croix would be a solid choice, and like RW, I troll with my A-Rig. Lots of strippers down here in Lake Pleasant.

 

Tight Lines,

MSA

I remember in my younger days when I used to troll for strippers!

Not black maxx it is a Shimano Blackmagum made by Bantam? fighting reel