The "umbrella" concept has also created a tremendous amount of controversy. Love it or hate it, it's probably here to stay because the rig flat out catches fish.
I've experimented with the Gillraker, Lunker Lure's version of the umbrella rig for several months now. It's manufactured in a 3, 4 and 5 wire setup.
I've found when targeting shallow bass relating to cover such as docks, sparse vegetation and isolated objects that the 3 wire setup is the bomb. I rig it with 1/8-ounce Gillraker heads and small bodied swim baits. The rig is easy to cast allowing for pinpoint presentation, accuracy, and the ability to target fish that are not always easily accessible.
Fish the lighter rig on a 7 to 7 1/2-foot heavy action rod with fluorocarbon line. This will eliminate the fatigue that happens when fishing the heavier 4 and 5 wire rigs. It's also less "fatiguing" on your wallet!
I stick to the 4 and 5 wire rigs when targeting bass located in open water situations. Use the 4 wire when fishing for schooling bass that like to suspend. For best performance rig it with 3 1/8-ounce Gillraker heads and Reactions Innovations Little Dipper swim baits. Add to the 4th wire a ½-ounce pulsating jig head with a 5-inch Keitech fat body swim bait. This combination allows for a long cast to schooling fish. It creates vibration as well as being a great visual attractant.
The 5 wire rig is the mac daddy when fishing water over 20-feet deep and can be a true ledge buster. I rig this system with 4 ¼- ounce Gillraker heads using 4, 5-inch swim baits. Add to the 5th center wire a different colored 5-inch swim bait on a ½-ounce Keitech pulsating jig head.
To allow for long lobbing casts I fish this rig on 50 to 65-pound braided line with a 7-foot, 6-inch or even an 8-foot heavy action Carrot Stix rod. A slow retrieve is needed, so use a reel with a 5;4 to 1 gear ratio to achieve the correct speed.
One thing these rigs all have in common is they take a lot of practice to master. It is critical to learn how to cast and retrieve these rigs at the right speed in order to maintain the target depth. I've used them quite a bit over the last several months and still consider myself to be a novice. Don't get discouraged too quickly, it takes time to perfect.
