Anglers are a
predictable
species, just
like the fish we
target.
If a tackle
manufacturer
releases a new
product we
haven’t seen
before, or
something new
and innovative,
we cannot help
ourselves but
bite the bait
with our
wallets.
In case you
haven’t heard in
the last four
months, Alabama
rigs, also known
as umbrella
rigs, are the
latest craze in
the fishing
world. Since
their
much-acclaimed
introduction
into the bass
fishing
tournament
circuits,
they’ve proven
to be equally
irresistible to
bass anglers.
Multi-lure rigs
aren’t a new
invention.
They’ve actually
been used for
decades by
deep-sea
trollers and
off-shore
anglers. But
then an
independent
tackle
manufacturer
named Andy Poss
modified that
design and made
the rig compact
enough to cast
and be used for
bass fishing.
Since then,
numerous tackle
manufacturers
across the
country began to
create their own
versions of the
“A-Rig.”
One tackle
manufacturer
that has taken
the next step in
expanding is
business is
Chicago-based
Sims
Spinners.
With their shop
located in south
suburban
Evergreen Park,
IL, Sims
Spinners debuted
its version of
the Alabama rig
at the 19th
annual
Tinley Park
Fishing Show,
held on February
11 and 12, 2012.
This rig has
been created on
the notion that
multiple baits
work better than
one.
“Why not build
one of these for
the business?!
Or one hundred
for that matter!
From a piece of
metal, to the
finished
product, we have
arrived!”
claimed owners
and
manufacturing
partners,
Dan Sims
and
David Mannion.
And so it began.
Named the “Dream
Catcher,” the
rig features a
central 1/2 oz.
jig head
attached to five
8 inch wire
lines with
attached premium
ball bearing
swivels that fan
out from the
central jig.
Anglers are then
free to clip
their favorite
lures onto the
rig. The most
common baits
used in
collaboration
with the rig are
shad profiled
plastics and
swimbaits.
As the rig is
pulled through
the water, the
multiple lures
look like a
small school of
fleeing
suspended bait
fish.
Until the Dream
Catcher
operation fully
takes foot and
establishes its
market in
Chicago and the
surrounding
Upper Midwest
region, their
main focus is on
two main color
schemes for the
rig. According
to Sims, “Sexy
shad, and gloss
black are going
to be our main
focus right now,
with a few
additional
‘sexy’ colors,
and possibly
custom shades
coming soon.”
It is indicative
that Sims
Spinners has
invested a lot
of time in
crafting its
version of the
rig. “In the
last few weeks,
we have put in a
lot of time to
get this rig
perfect,” said
Mannion. “From
machining, to
polishing,
welding, pouring
and painting,
it’s been good
times!” added
Sims.
Sims Dream
Catchers are
available for
$14.99,
significantly
cheaper and more
affordable than
just about any
other version of
the Alabama Rig.
For instance, it
is much more
affordable than
the original,
including
variations from
major
manufacturers,
and
significantly
less than
anything that is
currently
offered at
retail giants
such as Bass Pro
Shops and
Cabela’s.
“$14.99, is our
price. Every
single bait is
made from our
shop, by us, for
you guys!”
exclaimed the
two.
The Alabama rig
may
revolutionize
the way we fish
for suspended
bass. There are
some warnings to
consider,
though.
The typical
Alabama rig
contains five to
eight wire arms.
Since it’s
illegal for
Illinois anglers
to have more
than two poles
in the water at
a single time,
it is
recommended for
anglers to tip
three wires with
hookless baits.
There are ways
around the
regulation,
however. If
anglers clip the
hooks off three
lures or
replaces those
lures with
spinning blades
or ‘dummy baits’
to attract fish,
the rig is
perfectly legal
on just about
every waterway.
If using the
Dream Catcher in
2012, it is
recommended you
should follow
the same on
bodies of water
or other states
that carry
restrictions.
Before giving
the Dream
Catcher a try,
check your
state’s
regulations. You
might want to
hurry, though,
before the
demand for them
grows!
Sims Spinners
debuted its
Dream Catcher at
Chicago’s Tinley
Park Fishing
Show on
Saturday,
February 11,
2012.
Pictured are
co-owners, Dan
Sims and David
Mannion, and rod
manufacturing
partner, Matt
Coppolino of MC
Custom Rods Inc.
Sims Spinners
Dream Catcher ::
Key Facts:
-
Crafted and
assembled in
the USA.
-
8 inches
long, weighs
1/2 oz.
unrigged.
-
ZERO leaders
are used
within its
construction.
-
Due to
length,
lures will
never
tangle.
-
Easy to cast
- based on
poolside
demos.
-
Catch limits
quickly/
Catch
multiple
fish at
once!
-
Represents
suspended,
schooling
baitfish
when
retrieved.
-
Recommended
use for soft
plastic
shads,
grubs, and
swimbaits.
Click here to
place your
order.
Visit
Online:
http://www.sims-spinners.com/
