A-Rig Rules By State

[jhoffman]

Found this during my searching this morning. Figured I would share, not affiliated with the following site.

 

http://www.fhcoutdoors.com/list-of-all-alabama-rig-state-laws/

 

[Felix77]

Be careful with just using this when you go and chuck your Bama Rigs.  Some states have additional restrictions based on the region or body of water.  Check your states regulations books just to make sure.

[tbone1993]

Illinois has the most confusing language concerning the alabama rig. Basically if you have a 2 hook limit cut 3 hooks off a 5 hook rig and it is legal in all waters controlled by the Illinois DNR. If the lake is not controlled by the Illinois DNR then that lakes rules apply. 

[BradH]

Be careful with just using this when you go and chuck your Bama Rigs.  Some states have additional restrictions based on the region or body of water.  Check your states regulations books just to make sure.

 

Yes!  In Nebraska it's 2 hooks on most bodies of water, 5 on rivers and streams and if that river is a border water you may have to drop down to the neighboring state's rules.  For example, on the SD/NE border NE says 5 hooks but SD is 3 so you're back down to 3.  That links shows this.

 

"Nebraska

It is illegal to fish the Alabama Rig in Nebraska. Pay attention to the details in your laws. This is confirmed."

 

Not quite accurate.  In fact, I would just review the current fishing guide for each state I was fishing in before I'd put any faith on independant internet websites having correct information.

[Felix77]

Another example ... New York

 

This link says ...

 

New York

It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig in New York with (5) hooked lures.

…each line is limited to not more than five lures or baits or a combination of both; and in addition, each line shall not exceed fifteen hook points in any combination of single, double or treble hooks.

 

The NY State DEC site says the following

 

 

 

Lake Champlain including most tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassible to fish: Castable umbrella rigs are legal to use in Lake Champlain and most tributaries, but each fishing line may have no more than 2 baited hooks or artificial lures. Adding hookless attractors (e.g., flashers, blades) to any remaining wires would be legal.

Lake Champlain Tributaries with additional restrictions: Castable umbrella rigs are not permitted on the following tributaries:

• Saranac River from Catherine Street bridge upstream to Imperial Dam
• Ausable River from D & H railroad bridge upstream to Rainbow Falls
• Boquet River from mouth upstream to Wadhams Falls
• North Branch Boquet and tributaries from mouth to first upstream barrier

 

[jhoffman]

Yes, every body of water is usally different. I highly doubt theyre gonna take the time to list every lake. Its an overview of basic regulations.

 

You can fish a five arm in pa, but you cant have more than 3 hooks. This means you could fish three swimbaits with two dummy but you could not fish 3 hard body jerkbaits even on a three arm without removing a trebble hook from each one.

[Koofy Smacker]

Yes, every body of water is usally different. I highly doubt theyre gonna take the time to list every lake. Its an overview of basic regulations.

 

You can fish a five arm in pa, but you cant have more than 3 hooks. This means you could fish three swimbaits with two dummy but you could not fish 3 hard body jerkbaits even on a three arm without removing a trebble hook from each one.

Pretty sure thats wrong. Last time I looked it was 3 different baits. Whether each bait has 1 or 10 hooks doesn't matter. I could be wrong, but I remember it being a baited hook as counting towards the 3. Not each treble for example.

[jhoffman]

A trebble hook counts as one hook. You cant have more than three hooks period. Even the biggest biats run 3, keeping them legal. If you had 3 jerkbaits on a rig unmodded you would have six hooks mininum.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Yep, no more than three hooks total in PA.

 

Talked to an old fella at a seminar once, he makes BIG musky lures. Said he had a bait with four hanging trebles and had a fish warden politely inform him that it was illegal to have the 4th hook on the bait.

[Koofy Smacker]

A trebble hook counts as one hook. You cant have more than three hooks period. Even the biggest biats run 3, keeping them legal. If you had 3 jerkbaits on a rig unmodded you would have six hooks mininum.

Ya well I cant find anything that specifically states that. Everywhere I have looked says 3 hooked arms. Nothing about multiple hooks on one bait. Ill pull out the book when I get to work tonight. I also remember a Fish and Boat guy tellin me that earlier this year... Not sure yet

[jhoffman]

Page 34: Word for word of the Pa Regulations

 

Rods, Lines and Hooks. An angler may use a maximum of three lines fished either by rod or hand when fishing for gamefish, baitfish or both. It is unlawful for a person to fish with more than three fishing rods at a time. No more than three hooks shall be attached to a line used in fishing(one hook having two or three points is considered a single hook). All rods, lines and hooks shall be under the immediate control of the person using them.

 

Three hooks is three hooks, no matter how you slice it. I personally would not chance it. Not when I wanna throw three swimbaits anyhow.

 

http://fishinpa.com/

[Koofy Smacker]

Well that is good to know. Not that I would ever use anything than a single hook per bait anyway.

[J.Bass]

Illinois has the most confusing language concerning the alabama rig. Basically if you have a 2 hook limit cut 3 hooks off a 5 hook rig and it is legal in all waters controlled by the Illinois DNR. If the lake is not controlled by the Illinois DNR then that lakes rules apply. 

yeah I agree our state has confusing rules. Yeah just fish it in Non DNR lakes LOL. Still happy that we can use it here and its not completely banned in Illinois.

[J Francho]

It's that very confusion that led NY to the 15 hook point rule. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

It's that very confusion that led NY to the 15 hook point rule. 

 

Please elaborate on this rule...

 

3 A rigs linked together with 5 single hooked baits is acceptable?  Sounds like a challenge!

[J Francho]

Five baits max, no more than 15 hook points, or one treble per bait.

[The Rooster]

Aw, too bad. I was just envisioning three 5 arm A-rigs, each one with 4 baits on the 4 outer arms, and the center arm of each linked to the next rig behind it. The final 5 arm rig would have its center arm hooked to a 3 arm rig in the rear, with 3 baits on it. Every single arm on the whole rig would also have a spinner blade. That's 15 hook points total, and the look of a whole school of "bait"fish (33 minnows counting spinning blades), and rotator cuff surgery waiting to happen. Might have to let that rig out the back of the boat on 80 pound braid and troll it.

[jhoffman]

5-5arm a rigs with 5 1/2oz spinnerbaits on each for a total of 12.5oz not including the rigs themself. ABEC 9 bearings on a revo winch with the gearing made out of 440 stainless steel and 100lb braid. Reel will need a 3.1 gear ratio and a 500mm handle to crank it.

[Lucky Craft Man]

In the article, under PA, is says that it is recommended that spinners be used on the two remaining arms of a five arm rig. Does that allude that "dummy" baits are not allowed? I have heard some states don't allow dummies to be used as attractors and was wondering if PA was one of them. Does anyone know for sure?

[jhoffman]

I know of guys throwing five arm rigs with dummys. I just got into rigs, micro rigs more than big ones and only three arms.

[The Rooster]

5-5arm a rigs with 5 1/2oz spinnerbaits on each for a total of 12.5oz not including the rigs themself. ABEC 9 bearings on a revo winch with the gearing made out of 440 stainless steel and 100lb braid. Reel will need a 3.1 gear ratio and a 500mm handle to crank it.

1/2 oz. spinnerbaits weigh closer to a full oz. with skirt, blades, hook, and wire added to the head weight. It would be 25 full oz. not counting the rig weights themselves. I'd say it would be 2 full pounds and you'd probably need a boat trailer winch to crank it.

[senile1]

The Missouri rules allow Alabama rigs with three lures with hooks and two dummies.  Missouri also provides a definition of what a hook is so that there is no confusion if one reads the rules.  I have copied the relevant verbiage from the mdc.mo.gov site below.  A treble hook in Missouri counts as one hook toward the hook total of 3. 

 

http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-rules/alabama-rig-regulations

 

The Alabama, umbrella and similar rigs may be fished in Missouri so long as they use only three lures or baits. The remaining attachment points can include similar baits so long as their hooks have been removed or other hook-less attractors such as spinner blades are used.

 

The Wildlife Code of Missouri is written in a manner that can address most, if not all, fishing innovations as they come along. This is the case for the Alabama, umbrella and similar rigs. This rig is intended to be fished using a rod and reel, referred to as pole and line in the Wildlife Code.

NOTE: Please see Regulations and Permits Definitions under Related Information below for a full list of the terms used in the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

 

Pole and line is defined in rule 3 CSR 10-20.805 (44) in the Wildlife Code:

Pole and line: Fishing methods using tackle normally held in the hand, such as a cane pole, casting rod, spinning rod, fly rod, or ice fishing tackle commonly known as a tip-up, to which not more than 3 hooks with bait or lures are attached. This fishing method does not include snagging, snaring, grabbing, or trotlines or other tackle normally attached in a fixed position.

 

What is important to note is that this definition limits the pole-and-line fishing method to no more than three hooks. We all have a picture in mind for hooks.

 

However, we also have a definition for hook in the Wildlife Code 3 CSR 10-20.805 (30) to establish what we consider to be a hook for regulatory purposes. The use of a definition allows us to address various fishing innovations through time without specifically having to name everything that comes along.

Hook: Single- or multiple-pronged hooks and the ordinary artificial lures with attached single- or multiple-pronged hooks and dropper flies. A multiple-pronged hook or 2 or more hooks employed to hold a single bait, shall be considered a single hook in counting the allowable total in use.

[tylerwyp]

Illinois has the most confusing language concerning the alabama rig. Basically if you have a 2 hook limit cut 3 hooks off a 5 hook rig and it is legal in all waters controlled by the Illinois DNR. If the lake is not controlled by the Illinois DNR then that lakes rules apply. 

There's illinois for ya

[TNBassin']

Here is ours for TN:

"Due to the high volume of phone calls regarding the state’s complicated rules surrounding the Alabama rig, The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has announced a change in regulations that will go into effect on March 1, 2013. 

Anglers may only use three hooks on each rod—the hooks can be any size, with both single and treble hooks permitted for use. While treble hooks will be legal, it will still be illegal to use three crankbaits on a single cast that are rigged with two hooks each. 

Five lures may still be used on Alabama rigs, but only three of them can have hooks. Anglers with three hooks or less on their line will be perfectly legal. Anything more than three hooks will be against the law. 

The TFWC has also voted to decrease the minimum length limit for Pickwick’s smallmouth bass from 18-inches to 15-inches. With both Alabama and Mississippi expected to do the same, length regulations will become simpler for Pickwick anglers fishing near state lines."

 

I cut and pasted this from a site, and apparently it took the background with it lol. Sorry.