Alabama Rig Manifesto: how to make an Alabama Rig

The most amazing thing about the ever popular Alabama Rig, or A-rig as we shall call it, is the fact that it is extraordinarily easy to manufacture.  Nothing more than a glorified umbrella rig, the A-rig consists of little more than wire, swivels, and snaps.  It is merely a new means to present old baits.  As the next installment in my series of articles on the A-rig, Alabama Rig Manifesto, this "How To" article will put the power of the A-rig in your hands for a mere fraction of the cost.  In my humble opinion, the store bought, professionally manufactured A-rigs offer no advantages, over my home made version, to justify the cost.  This article follows me, step-by-step, as I craft a four-arm A-rig out of simple, store bought materials using common, hand tools.  I tried to capture a valid image that represents a significant movement in each stage of the build.  Before we delve into the process, I must put up one disclaimer.  If you are the suing type, please don gloves, eye protection, helmet, personal flotation device, athletic supporter, and any other pieces needed to form a protective ensemble that will stave off injury and litigation.  Now, without further adieu, How To Make An Alabama Rig.
Required Tools:
1. strong, American made diagonal cutters
2. strong, American made needle nose pliers
3. strong, American made channel lock pliers
4. vise
Required Materials:
1. orange flagged, survey stakes
2. medium gauge project wire
3. JB Weld epoxy putty
4. large, 1/0 swivels
5. large swivel snaps

Assembled Tools and Materials

Strip flag material from wire, measure to midpoint, place in vice, and bend wire double

Doubled survey stake wire

Continue to bend wire into the form of an eyelet with channel lock pliers

Bend all wires to the same shape

Shaped wire

Large Swivels serve as line tie

Thread swivel onto all wires so it sits evenly

Seated swivel for line tie

Clip off desired length of project wire with diagonal cutters

Secure all arms of the A-rig in a vise without bunching or binding the swivel or wire eyelets

Run project wire under swivel between all wires

With needle nose pliers, forcefully form wire into coil around A-rig arms

Clip off extra wire and form fit the coil tightly around the outside of the A-rig

Coiled wire secures swivel in place and provides strength and rigidity during battle

Trim all exposed wire at the bottom of the arms to the same length and grasp with needle nose pliers 1/2" up shank

Bend 270 degrees until an eyelet is formed

Slide swivel snap into eyelet for lure connection

Secure the outside bend of the eyelet in your vise and, with needle nose pliers, wrap the tag end of the wire around the shank of the A-rig arms spinnerbait style

This provides a near unfailing lure attachment

Near finished A-rig

Swivel snap lure connectors

Properly bound swivel line tie connection

Tear off small, dime sized, segment of epoxy putty and work with fingers until it it properly mixed as called for by directions

Shape around coiled project wire, careful not to impede the swivel action of the line tie

Finished A-rig ready for swimbaits and battle!

Your Alabama Rig is ready to be outfitted with whatever swimbaits you deem necessary to create the deception of a school of baitfish.  I prefer using 1/8 or 1/4 quality jig heads with a quality, paddle tail swimbait that puts off plenty of vibration.  To create a six arm rig, simply add one more piece of wire in the beginning step.  A killer combo is the six arm rig with one arm dedicated to a willow leaf blade.  Once finished, read my previous installment of Alabama Rig Manifesto and follow the link to watch Matt Peter's Alabama Rig Supernova.  A great piece of advice is to hold off pre-bending your rig arms until you tie it on or you will no fit it into your regular tackle box.  Also, carry some small diameter, strong rubber bands to wrap around your rig arms and make a tidy package for storage.  Good fishing everyone and feel free to add questions to the comment section.