How the States got their Angling Shapes

South Carolina and now Florida have been especially newsworthy states over the last couple of weeks. However, bass anglers talk about the names of these states year ‘round. One way to know you are in great shape as a fishing state is to have a method, rig, or piece of fishing tackle bearing your name.

Some of these state-angling names have been around for 100 years and are solidly established in fishing vocabulary. Alabama recently entered this scene. The “Alabama rig” is a somewhat controversial, “castable” umbrella rig where as many as five lures can be attached to imitate an entire school of baitfish. (Check your state fishing regulations.)

Other state names in fishing tackle:

Texas rig – Bullet weight positioned immediately above the hook of a soft plastic lure.

Florida rig- Same, but soft plastic lure is attached to the weight via a corkscrew-like appendage.

Carolina rig- Bullet weight is separated from soft plastic lure by a length of leader (Ex. 15”), swivel, and a bead.

Colorado blade – Round spinnerbait blade. Creates a good deal of vibration.

Indiana blade – Less vibration than Colorado but not as much flash as an elongated “willow” blade.

Oklahoma blade – A creased mid line, a little heavier and less rounded than the Colorado.

Tennessee shad – Color pattern, generally incorporating bronze tint.

Does your state have a fishing tackle name distinction? Nominations?

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Andy Whitcomb

Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.