Hey everyone. I just got my first A-rig but fish in states that limit to two hooks. I got the tactical flex rig and it jas the top three dummies, the long center wire, and two bottom wires. I was thinking I'd rig the top 3 dummies, and the two bottom ones with hooks. But what about the center wire? I'm almost thinking of just cutting it off since it's the farthest back and I would think would get hit more. But I'm also considering rigging that one and the top three with 3.5" baits and the bottom two woth hooks with larger 4.5" baits. 

Rig the center one with a hook and a bait either larger or a different color than the others.  Rig all the rest with no hook baits.  You will hook just as many fish having one hook bait  as two.  The bass will hit the furthest back different looking bait most of the time.  Umbrella rigs used in salt water are often rigged this way.  

9 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Rig the center one with a hook and a bait either larger or a different color than the others.  Rig all the rest with no hook baits.  You will hook just as many fish having one hook bait  as two.  The bass will hit the furthest back different looking bait most of the time.  Umbrella rigs used in salt water are often rigged this way.  

Interesting I hadn't thought to do just one hook. How different does the color have to be? Like if I do all the dummies as a 3.8 silver flash but make the one with a hook a 4.3 with a bit of blue tint or sexy shad coloring is that enough you think?

3 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Interesting I hadn't thought to do just one hook. How different does the color have to be? Like if I do all the dummies as a 3.8 silver flash but make the one with a hook a 4.3 with a bit of blue tint or sexy shad coloring is that enough you think?

That will work

2 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Interesting I hadn't thought to do just one hook. How different does the color have to be? Like if I do all the dummies as a 3.8 silver flash but make the one with a hook a 4.3 with a bit of blue tint or sexy shad coloring is that enough you think?

Maybe do 3.3s on the dummies and a 4.3 on the back. I have one that has 5 wires, 2 dummies and 3 hooks. Just to test this, I put 4 3” baits and the center that was farther back I put a 4.3 in the same color and I think I have only caught 1 fish that wasn’t on the 4.3. 

We're only allowed 2 hooks in Kansas. I always do a hook in the middle with the biggest bait and a little different color or a different colored head, something to attract their attention. The other outside bait is just a crapshoot. 

We’re 3 hooks here in Indiana, but I’d either cut the longer center wire out as you suggested and go 3 dummies (top) and 2 hooked baits (bottom), or as @king fisher posted and do 5 dummies and 1 hooked bait on the longer wire. 

2 hours ago, Team9nine said:

We’re 3 hooks here in Indiana, but I’d either cut the longer center wire out as you suggested and go 3 dummies (top) and 2 hooked baits (bottom), or as @king fisher posted and do 5 dummies and 1 hooked bait on the longer wire. 

I think I'll start with the big center one and the rest dummies, and see how it goes and then maybe experiment. I do kinda wanna have the possibility of a double up.

 

What are some of your guys go-to baits for these? I was originally just gonna slap some fat impacts on and call it a day but they are a bit fragile.

55 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

 

What are some of your guys go-to baits for these? I was originally just gonna slap some fat impacts on and call it a day but they are a bit fragile.

Fat Impacts on the hooked jig heads and Easy Shiners on the hookless dummies (hitch hiker attachment) for me.

On 8/5/2022 at 3:55 PM, MassYak85 said:

 

What are some of your guys go-to baits for these? I was originally just gonna slap some fat impacts on and call it a day but they are a bit fragile.

 

I have caught fish on fat impacts, gambler Ez's, largo shads, d walkers, netbait spanky's, lil/skinny dipper, and big bite suicide and kickers.  EZ's and largos are my current usual, they seem to catch and last, in anything warmer than cold, cold water.  But when the water temp drops I haven't found a replacement for fat impacts.

 

scott

Not exactly in line with what you are asking but Berkeley makes a 2 wire that takes 2 baits on hooks and a spinner in the middle

I can't think of a good reason to only use a single hook instead of two.