For anglers looking to catch multiple fish at once, fishing with umbrella rigs is the best option. This is a very effective technique that’s designed to attract predatory fish by using a rig that mimics the way a small school of baitfish moves.
This guide will dive into all the information buyers are looking for when fishing with umbrella rigs, as well as how the setup works. Keep reading to learn more about this unique way of fishing.
Table of Contents
What are umbrella rigs?
How to set up umbrella rigs
Global market value of fishing equipment
How popular is fishing with umbrella rigs?
Examples of popular umbrella rigs for fishing
Conclusion
What are umbrella rigs?
Fishing with umbrella rigs is a specialized fishing technique. The setup is designed to mimic a small school of baitfish in order to attract larger predatory fish such as bass and walleye. The structure is similar to an umbrella, with wire arms that extend outwards to hold a separate fishing lure. This design makes the lures very appealing to predators in the water who see them as an easy target.
When fishing with umbrella rigs, anglers have the option of fishing in both saltwater and freshwater. The idea is to target fish that hunt in schools or that are easily attracted to large amounts of bait.
How to set up umbrella rigs
The first step of fishing with umbrella rigs is to choose the right size. This directly relates to the species being targeted and needs to comply with local fishing laws. Soft plastic swimbaits or other types of lures should resemble the baitfish in the fishing location. They then need to be matched with the appropriate jig heads based on the fishing depth.
The lures should then be evenly distributed along the arms of the rig. Once the lures are attached, the rig can be connected to the main fishing line using a snap or swivel to prevent the line from twisting.
The rig will create a significant amount of drag in the water, so anglers need to use a heavy-action rod or a sturdy reel. Depending on the specifics of the fish being targeted, a braided line is recommended due to its strength. It should have a range of 30 to 80 pounds to accommodate different fish weights.
Before fishing with umbrella rigs, it’s a good idea to try out various retrieve speeds to make sure the rig is properly weighted for the conditions.
Global market value of fishing equipment
Fishing for sport is growing in popularity around the world, so it should come as no surprise that demand for all types of fishing gear is constantly growing. Countries such as the US and UK are improving people’s access to bodies of water where fish are plentiful, which is enabling more anglers to participate. Catch-and-release fishing is also on the rise as countries look for a more sustainable way to fish.
By 2023, the global market value of fishing equipment reached USD 14.5 billion. This number is projected to increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 4.8% between 2023 and 2032. This would bring the total value up to approximately USD 23.00 billion by 2033. The rise in e-commerce platforms as well as consumers having larger disposable incomes are attributed to this increase in value.
How popular is fishing with umbrella rigs?
Over the last decade, fishing with umbrella rigs has gained a lot of popularity. Although the technique was originally used in saltwater fishing, it’s now popular in freshwater fishing too for targeting species such as striped bass.
According to Google Ads, “fishing with umbrella rigs” receives an average monthly search volume of 1,600. Searches remain fairly consistent throughout the year, with between 1,300 and 1,900 searches per month. There’s a slight increase in July when searches reach 2,400, or 11% of the total annual search volume.
Examples of popular umbrella rigs for fishing
Alabama rig
One of the most popular types of umbrella rigs is the Alabama rig. It’s a favorite for targeting bass and consists of a central head with five wire arms that are meant to hold lures such as soft plastic swimbait. The way this rig is set up will trigger the predators and lead to increased strikes.
It’s incredibly effective, but there are some limitations to its use. In professional bass tournaments, for example, there are concerns about it giving anglers too much of an advantage. Regardless, the Alabama rig remains extremely popular for leisure activities and is particularly useful during the colder months when fish are more likely to be attracted to schooling baitfish.
Striper umbrella rig
For anglers targeting saltwater species, such as striped bass, the striper umbrella rig is the perfect choice. It features heavy-duty wire arms that are designed to hold bigger and stronger lures. This makes it a good choice when trolling coastal waters in different conditions. Like other umbrella rigs, this rig mimics a school of baitfish very effectively.
The striper umbrella rig is meant to be used in deeper water as well as areas with strong currents. They allow anglers to cover larger areas while attracting multiple fish without too much additional effort. Anglers who are looking for big catches will want to use this type of umbrella rig due to its durability and ability to handle heavier weights.
Conclusion
Fishing with umbrella rigs is a quick and effective way to target larger predatory fish, such as bass. They’re designed to mimic a school of baitfish in a way that’s attractive to the fish being targeted.
Although they’re not heavily used in professional fishing competitions, anglers enjoy using them during leisurely fishing outings, and these rigs receive glowing reviews due to their high catch rate.
