By Tackle Warehouse | Updated September 2023
While the umbrella rig can be one of the most effective tools in bass fishing, it can also be one of the most frustrating to store and transport. With so many wires, hooks, blades, and terminal pieces, the umbrella rig tends to snag on just about everything around it, which makes proper storage fundamental for success. Whether you’re just getting started or an a-rig expert, we aim to ease the organizational troubles of the umbrella rig and increase your proficiency with some helpful storage options and insight.
When it is tied up, the umbrella rig is at its snaggiest. Hanging up on boat carpet, nearby rods, bibs, and storage lockers, the umbrella rig can quickly turn a relaxing day of fishing into an infuriating day spent straightening out snags. To help fight tangles, you can employ a number of “on the rod” storage accessories that will keep your rig compact and covered. The styles and types of rig storage accessories are varied, but they can be as simple as an O-ring around the wires or as refined as a sleeve that engulfs the whole bait. Below we have highlighted a few of our favorite “on the rod” umbrella rig storage accessories to help combat rig-induced frustrations.
Red One System A Rigger (Top Left)A useful tool for keeping rigs neatly buttoned up, the Red One Systems A Rigger slips around the umbrella rig wire and is easy to apply and remove while fishing.O-Ring (Top Right)One of the simplest and most effective storage devices while fishing. An O-ring is easy to apply, fairly inconspicuous while fishing, and easy to slide on and off.
Great for storing rigs during transportation, or while fishing, the binder clip is another simple solution that will keep your rig fully bundled up while fishing.
Made to slip over your fishing line and then over your rig, the Rig Rangler Umbrella Rig Organizer is a great way to keep your umbrella rig compressed and out of the way. Additionally, the Rig Rangler Umbrella Rig Organizer keeps your rig concealed from your competition.
When you really want to throw the competition off of the scent, the Cal Coast Lure Protectors make it easy to mask your bait (if you use the blackout version), while keeping it organized and stowed. The clip-on attachment also makes it easy to move from rod to rod.
When storing multiple rigs when not in use, there is a wide range of highly effective options. Which one is best? It all boils down to angler preference. Whether you want to keep one or two rigs ready to go or a dozen different rigs all tied up, there’s a storage option to suit your needs. We have added several storage options below with a brief overview of the product and where it shines.
Hot tip: One thing we wanted to note when discussing extended umbrella rig storage, was that salt-rich swimbaits tend to create rust along the shank of a swimbait head. If you plan on storing swimbaits for longer than a couple of days, it's good practice to remove the swimbait from the jig head.
Built specifically for umbrella rigs, the Plano Umbrella Rig Stowaway Box 3708 is perfect for anglers who like to stay rigged up and ready. Made to hold up to four fully outfitted umbrella rigs, the Plano Umbrella Rig Stowaway Box 3708 is a must-have anytime you want to keep multiple rigs ready to fish.Tackle Warehouse Umbrella Rig Bag (Top Right)Specially designed by Tackle Warehouse, the Tackle Warehouse Umbrella Rig Bag, and Tackle Warehouse Umbrella Rig Tube work in conjunction to provide a versatile A-rig storage system. If you want to use the tubes individually, they provide a great way to store fully outfitted rigs, with or without the bag, in your boat or backpack.
Flambeau 3009UM Tuff Tainer Umbrella Rig Box w/ Zerust (Bottom Right)Perfect for a co-angler, and easy to transport, the Flambeau 3009UM Tuff Tainer Umbrella Rig Box w/ Zerust works to combat tangling and provides additional storage for swimbaits and jig heads.
Gamakatsu G-Box Reversible V 3600 Utility Case (Bottom Left)While not branded as purpose-built for rig storage, there are several alternative storage boxes that house Umbrella Rigs with impressive efficiency. Give a few options a try, such as the Gamakatsu G-Box Reversible V 3600 Utility Case, and load up!
On the rod, on the go, or back in the garage, there are a vast array of options anglers can employ to tame their unruly umbrella rigs and help take the snag-factor out of the equation!
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