B.a.s.s. Bans The Alabama Rig

[bigbassctchr101]

At least it isn't banded for the season,just the Classic.

I am pretty sure it is for the season, along with the classic. But only the elite series season.

[slonezp]

I dunno if it matters or not. Just sharing what I was taught.

The other reason I release them like that, is because it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Kind of like a rabbit fart.

Mmmmmmm...rabbit farts

[cyclops2]

I think we should adopt the way 1 deer hunter takes his deer. 40 years ago.

Climbed up a tree. Out on a sturdy branch over a deer path. Dropped down on the buck and stabbed it to death with a dagger.

No reason why we can not sneak up on a bass with a snorkel mask and spear it.

MACHO MACHO MAN !!

[marinetech]

I don't fish tourneys and would not use one of those a rigs either , they are for mackeral fishing not bass. just my opinion

[CJ]

I wonder how the rule will be wrote exactly.

[J Francho]

Well It is simply a way to kill as many fish as fast as possible. If you are after MEAT. Every body should agree it catches more fish in a 8 hour period. No real abilities needed. Not a lot different than netting to pick out the biggest ones . Increasing your odds by at least 4 to 1 sounds very professional. The GOAL of a contest is to win by anything ....NOT BANNED.....in the rule book.

I agree for PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT fishermen. You are supposed to be FAR FAR better at catching ANY FISH with a ROD, REEL, LINE & a HOOK / LURE.

Barbless would not be to bad either. Considering the speeds a fish is brought in on + 40# line.

Could all the boats go to catch.. weigh... measure... & release. The sponsors will not pull out. That will stop the stripping of all breeders from their prime food spots....under all structures...& dumping them anywhere it is Quickest for the angler to get out of the water.

I watch a pro bass tournament guy fish the same docks I did. He caught 5 X the fish I did. I waved him in to let him make a living that day.

I sure wish he could have left those fish there.

The day after a big tournament. There are NO bigger fish in my area to catch.for several days to weeks.

Would you prefer it if tournament anglers nailed all their bass to a board? As it stands, 100% of bass caught in tournaments is given more than a fighting chance to live, and be caught again. Can't say the same for all recreational anglers.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Would you prefer it if tournament anglers nailed all their bass to a board? As it stands, 100% of bass caught in tournaments is given more than a fighting chance to live, and be caught again. Can't say the same for all recreational anglers.

Wrong species. You only do that with catfish. Sheeshhh.

Exceptional point though. Tournament anglers definitely have an added incentive to keep the fish alive.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I think we should adopt the way 1 deer hunter takes his deer. 40 years ago.

Climbed up a tree. Out on a sturdy branch over a deer path. Dropped down on the buck and stabbed it to death with a dagger.

No reason why we can not sneak up on a bass with a snorkel mask and spear it.

MACHO MACHO MAN !!

Done that with hogs before. Never thought to try it with a dear. Hmmmm. Why did you have to give me that idea? I believe i am going to have to try this now. Just know if I break something by falling out of a tree over a deer its your fault.

[J Francho]

Wrong species. You only do that with catfish. Sheeshhh. Exceptional point though. Tournament anglers definitely have an added incentive to keep the fish alive.

[Wayne P.]

The Elite angler tournament committee that made that decision because it may cause injury to the bass should do some more soul searching about their fish handling practices.

Boat flipping them to the carpet, then putting on a show for the camera before putting the fish in the livewell sure doesn't represent any concern for the fish's well being.

[Bass Dude]

I'm for the ban. I think the one rod, one lure is the way professionals should fish. I think the fisherman should have to hit the right angle and bump a piece of cover with every cast, not get 5 fish on one cast.

As far as saying it's too easy to catch fish on...that's a ridiculous statement and ridiculous reason for a ban. Is throwing a rattle trap brain surgery?? Tossing a fluke into a school of busting fish isn't rocket science!!

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Wellllll I stand corrected. My apologies.

Now to remove my foot from my mouth.

[South FLA]

I am personally against the banning of the Alabama rig, it is a lure that has an application just as any otherl In specific situations, if you are in a tournament and recognize the ability of the lure to possibly catch more or better quality fish then why not use your situational expertise to catch more fish or better quality fish using the Alabama rig over another lure, if you watched the FLW tournament on T.V. you saw plenty of anglers that stated that the Alabama rig caught the better quality fish out of the school when compared to another lure such as a lipless crankbait or jerk bait, some angler adjusted and some did not. The same arguement applies to a double fluke rig. If the committe wanted to ban multiple catches per lure, than how about applying a rule where the angler gets to pick only one fish to keep if a multiple hook-up occurs, that would a more logical approach? To me it is not simply a matter of holding professional to a "higher standard," but limiting the approach a professional can take.

[Fishing Rhino]

I liked the "(not much of a day either.)" below the one day's catch of bass. Makes me wonder why they bothered taking a photo.

[South FLA]

Along the same line, I love to duck hunt. Many years ago they started marketing the spinning wing decoy (mojo type) It was amazing. Ducks came out of no where, now every tom, dick or harry could get ducks without a lot of skill i.e. duckcalling, decoy placement, etc. Some states outlawed them, but if your state allowed them you were pretty much forced to use them. As when they first came out a novice with a spinner could usually get more birds then an accomplished seasoned hunter who did not use a spinner. Pretty much reck the sport for me, for a number of reasons. So I can certainly see the wisdom in banning certain types of rigs from high end B.A.S.S. events.

The problem the ducks have LEARNED to avoid them, from personal experience I have had to turn off the mojo to attract ducks at times and they started coming in, at other times without them or movement in your spread you would ZERO, so even though at the beginning of the innovation it was as simple as 1,2,3 the ducks have adapted.

[South FLA]

How about using an Alabama rig with spinner blades on all but one of the rigs? Would that be banned?

[royal0014]

Sorry, but I for one am glad to see a ban. One bait at a time is fishing for sport. Multiple baits is like netting for food or profit.

First time I heard of the 'Alabama Rig', all I could think was REDNECK FISHING! Hey ya'll, watch this.......

Gives the sport, and my State, a bad name. Wish whoever had named it Georgia or some other.

[cyclops2]

I guess there is no limit on the Number of lures & hooks allowed.

Oh well.

[cyclops2]

I would love a $ 50 bill for every fish that had a second trebel hook past the barb in a eye. When it punctures the optic nerve, the fish swims in circles until a sea gull finishes it off.

I use to do in 25 fish a year that way. All types. I now grind off 2 of the 3 barbs on each trebel. 1 or 2 a year at most.

When sport fishing. I have lures with no barbs on the hooks. Oh yes. The hooks ALSO come out of my hand, ears, neck & clothing easy. Same with a fish.

[Fishing Rhino]

I don't have a problem with anyone who chooses to fish it. My experience using umbrella rigs forty plus years ago was enough for me. I can also understand why others may choose to fish with them. If anyone who fishes with me at Guntersville wants to tie one on, I'll be fine with it.

[Kevinator1]

I'm glad of the decision. I believe it is a good call. Playing field is still level.

[Tmmytomato]

Cyclops2 - you make some valid points - however, "a way to kill as many fish as fast as possible..." is a rather crazy statement. Is catching them one at a time just a slower way to kill as many fish as possilbe?

My bass club has implemented the catch, weigh in the boat and immediate release for a number of years now and no one seems to care that they can't come show their big fish off at the dock. There are cameras for that.

[Pete-K]

They will make everyone go to only a sinle hook on there crank baits next.. You know at one time people were scared plastic baits were giving people an edge that would deplete the fishery.

[Fishing Rhino]

They will make everyone go to only a sinle hook on there crank baits next.. You know at one time people were scared plastic baits were giving people an edge that would deplete the fishery.

That's not going to happen, but I would not be surprised to see a nationwide ban on lead weights, possibly on any type of lure or bait that contains lead. More states are banning lead, and more are considering such a ban.

[senile1]

B.A.S.S analyzed this and decided it was best for their organization's Elite tournaments to eliminate the use of multiple lure rigs. You may disagree but it's their decision. I kind of lean toward not using the Alabama rig in tournaments but it really doesn't matter much to me either way. They run the organization and they have the right to do what they think is best for it, whether I agree or not. I don't think this decision is going to hurt the organization or bass anglers so it is a moot point for me.

I also noticed in paragraph four of the article that the rules committee is comprised of anglers who have qualified for the 2012 Elite Series so it is a subset of the Elite anglers themselves, who is choosing to do this.