James Biggs opened my eyes to the A-rig on our trip a few months ago. With Ray Roberts being mostly closed, I've been struggling with the idea of spending $300 bucks on a rod just for this one technique, and I'm curious if anyone has experience with a less expensive option.


Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to go no more than $300 for the rod and reel combined. Thanks in advance!!

Orra winch reel- $100
Any heavy action rod that is rated for at least one and a half ounces. Shimano convergence is one example that is not very expensive. Lots of rods that will do the job in the 100-140 dollar range.

TFO Mag H

H20 rod at academy,75.00

Take a look at the Dobyns Fury 795 SB. It's designed for swim baits up to 5oz. My guess is it would work pretty well with a a-rig. Retail is about $110

Yep. this would be a great set up to start throwing a-rigs with. I throw mine on a 795 dobyns champion swimbait rod and it is perfect for a variety of a-rigs and medium size swimbaits

I have a couple of Shimano Crucial A rig rods that I like but these are hard to find now. It is 7ft 9inches in length and I have it it paired up with a Lews Super Duty with 65# test braid.

Here are some alternatives.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Crucial_Swimbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-CSW.html

The Dobyns 795 swim bait rod would be my next choice. I have a couple of these also, one with the long handle and one with the shorter handle. I like them for larger swim baits but they work well for throwing an A-rig also.

7'2 or 7'4 in Abu Garcia veritas medium heavy. Works perfect

There's no reason to spend a fortune on an A rig rod. You want it to be light but stiff, and around 7'6". I've been using a Mojo Bass Swimbait rod for a while now to throw mine. It works just fine but it's a heavy rod and can wear you out. You can get a great quality TFO rod for under $200 easy. The reel can be almost anything. If you want cheap get an H2O Mettle, it'll do the job.

Falcon Lowrider 20

I highly suggest that you give this rod a look. Look at the 'super duty' model. It's definitely gonna be what you want. It's very light rod with plenty of sensitivity. It's also gonna have plenty of backbone and power to give you a solid hookset. This rod is versatile as well, you can throw everything from a paddle tail swimbait to using it as a punching rod, and everything in between!


Daiwa Tatula

For the reel, I suggest the Tatula in the 6.3:1 gear ratio. This reel is good for every technique in the world. It's made with super high quality components so the reel won't burn out on you when putting a strain on it. It can hold a lot of line and you'll be able to get long casts with 20# line. It's an all around great reel!

Thanks for all the recommendations folks =)

Plus a Lews super duty and you are done

Like you, I didn't want to spend a whole lot, so I went this route Revo Orra SX and A Denny Bauer ECC71H-DB-UB-L3 ( it's a 7'10" hvy) for a-rigs, big spoons and swim baits, it also doubles as a pitching/flipping stick, really kinda nice for 200 bucks for it all

Tackle Warehouse had a Skeet Reese A'Rig rod on sale for less than $50

Went with the dobyns fury and lews super duty 6:4:1. Thanks again