Alabama Rigs Outlawed In Your State?

[Outdoor]

Alabama rigs are outlawed in New Hampshire and I'm very glad to see that happen. The state doesn't recognize that as a lure...how about your state?

[WookieeJedi]

It is still legal in Louisiana, and will likely stay that way. Inshore and saltwater guys have been using umbrella rigs for a long time. I have a suspicion that all this hype may be designed to sell lures. From what I can tell, it is working. I remember when the Senko first came out. That is a very simple rig that requires little skill to fish; and it wins tournaments, but nobody said anything about that. 10 years from now, the Bama rig will be just another tool, like Carolina rigs, Senkos, swimbaits, etc... It ain't magic.

[Marty]

I don't know for sure, but my interpretation of New York's regulations says it's legal. If any fellow New Yorkers have a different interpretation or actual knowledge about the rig, I'd be interested in hearing it.

"An angler may operate no more than two lines, with or without rod, except that one person may operate up to three lines in freshwater; and 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."

[Crestliner2008]

We are only allowed one hook (lure) on each of two rods, or two lures on one rod, here in Massachusetts. We can't even "spider rig" for crappie here! After seeing Paul Alias kick butt last weekend on the FLW tour, it was an eye opener indeed. Even so, I wouldn't want them to do otherwise in this state. Just doesn't seem "sporting" to me.

[aclark609]

I live on the Arkansas/Missouri border. It's kind of outlawed in Missouri (3 hooks are allowed) but not outlawed in Arkansas. The lakes I fish run through both states so if I was going to throw it I'd have to be aware of which state I was in. I'd probably own one but wouldn't throw it unless I was having a terrible day and didn't want to leave empty handed.

[CoBass]

Semi-legal here in Colorado. You can use one but only three hooks can be used. You can put five baits on the rig but only three of them can have hooks in them.

[roadwarrior]

Someone doesn't like the Senko, it's too easy.

Another doesn't like The Rig, it's not sporting.

Fine by me...Fish what you like for fun, but if you don't fish either of these baits/rigs in tournaments,

you are going to get your butt handed to you. I don't fish tournaments, but I like "catching" a lot more

than just "fishing". I started fishing the Senko in 1997. I will fish The Rig this year.

[NorcalBassin]

You can only use the Cal-Abama rig here (3 hooks like CO).

[tbirds00]

I believe it is legal here in wisconsin but only the three hook rig like some other states.

[Blue Streak]

In Ohio it has always been illegal to use more than three hooks on one line.

[Jacob34]

I believe in Utah you can only have two hooks if I'm not mistaken. I was looking at them today at Sportsman's warehouse and they do look interesting.

[Deleted account]

You guys are over thinking this thing, you can rig it with as many or few baits as you'd like, just place the hook baits trailing by about 2-3 body lengths, and/or bunch up the hookless ones further forward on the same plane. The real advantage is the attracting and triggering, not the limit in one cast potential, also, there is nothing magical about 5 arms.

[.ghoti.]

Not legal in Illinois. This is not a new regulation.

[J Francho]

I don't know for sure, but my interpretation of New York's regulations says it's legal. If any fellow New Yorkers have a different interpretation or actual knowledge about the rig, I'd be interested in hearing it.

"An angler may operate no more than two lines, with or without rod, except that one person may operate up to three lines in freshwater; and 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."

It's legal in NY waters. Not VT waters on Champlain or in Canadian waters.

[Nice_Bass]

Yes, not legal here in IL- but really what is legal in IL???

Anyhow, I believe everyone derserves the right to give it a try, like it, love it, whatever they would like to feel. I also reserve the right to not like it and am glad I have not seen anyone tossing it around here- not to say they were not sold out at the local BPS though...

But really, in tourneys, I cannot believe it is legal- but sound boxes etc- where do you draw the line. One thing for sure is this is making producers of these rigs a lot of money.

[Thad]

You guys are over thinking this thing, you can rig it with as many or few baits as you'd like, just place the hook baits trailing by about 2-3 body lengths, and/or bunch up the hookless ones further forward on the same plane. The real advantage is the attracting and triggering, not the limit in one cast potential, also, there is nothing magical about 5 arms.

Exactly. In Tennessee you can only have 3 baits with hooks and nothing else, no spinner blades or swimbaits without hooks. But, if you only use one swimbait with a hook then you can have as many other baits as you want. So I use two different A-Rigs for Tenessee. One has just three baits with three hooks, the other has five baits with one hook.

For those that think it is not ethical to throw it. WHY? You have two arguements. Either you are using too many hooks or it looks too much like a ball of shad. Do you throw treble hooks? Do you throw swimbaits? An A-Rig is basicall the same thing as a trout swimbait, only for a ball of shad.

[tholmes]

From the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website:

"Each angler is limited to two rods (three with three-pole permit) with no more than two baited hooks (single or treble) or artificial lures per line."

So, I guess it would be illegal in Kansas.

Tom

[TommyBass]

I'd look into it REALLY deeply and question your local Conservation Officers and DNR officials. Its not always how it appears. Rules that cite 'hooks' and especially 'lures' are very grey matters.

Indiana recently ruled it is LEGAL to use even though we have a 2 hook or 2 'lure' limit. Here is where the "interpretation" comes into play. Many people argue that the Umbrella rig is actually 1 'lure', that has multiple hooks. Since it only has one tie point its actually arguable, and the rest is part of the lure single lure.

I really doubt too many states have a 2 or 3 hook "limit". Otherwise you couldn't even use a crankbait with a treble hook. That would be 3 hooks and your standard crankbait would have 6. I know, your thinking, well its a treble hook dummy... but thats the point. They don't specify how far apart the hooks on your treble must be Its how you interpret. A jerkbait has a wire that links all 3 treble hooks down the length of the lure body. Is that then illegal too in your state? There are a few states that leave no grey area in the matter, and it is for sure illegal. Some even specify that the rig itself is illegal.

Indiana solved the grey issue by making an amendment this year specifically targeting rigs such as the umbrella. It specifies them in particular so there is no interpretting about it.

Just trying to get you guys thinking and talking to your officials if you havn't yet, make sure you know for sure. It could just as easily be interpretted as illegal too if there are grey areas.

Tom, Kansas could interpret it the same way. It could be intrepreted as 1 "artifical lure". But since they have a 2 hook limit even on treble hooks, its highly unlikely they would see it that way.

States are all going to have to specifically mention lure harness's and rigs when its all said and done.

[erau618]

Not legal in Illinois. This is not a new regulation.

It is legal at certain lakes in Illinois.

[.ghoti.]

It is legal at certain lakes in Illinois.

Cool. Which ones?

[Outdoor]

I think if someone wants to have fun with the rig or any version there of ...that’s fine. I feel if you’re fishing any tournament in any state, regardless of size it should be illegal...I fish "mostly" for fun, sure its nice to win a tournament now and again but I don't get hung up over winning a few bucks. When enjoyment becomes stress you need quit, its like the guy who wraps his 9 iron around a tree. The Alabama rig is perfect for the guy that "has to" be the big tuna....that should start a feud.

[Thad]

I think if someone wants to have fun with the rig or any version there of ...that’s fine. I feel if you’re fishing any tournament in any state, regardless of size it should be illegal...I fish "mostly" for fun, sure its nice to win a tournament now and again but I don't get hung up over winning a few bucks. When enjoyment becomes stress you need quit, its like the guy who wraps his 9 iron around a tree. The Alabama rig is perfect for the guy that "has to" be the big tuna....that should start a feud.

But why should it be illegal? A lot of people say it should be but few offer a good reason why.

[bwell]

Cool. Which ones?

Lake Shelbyville and Lake Egypt, and I think Taylorville Lake.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Here for illinois

http://www.ifishilli...labama_rig.html

Modify to just 2 hooks for most others

[CoBass]

Colorado regs define a hook as any hook or multiple hooks sharing a common shank. A treble hook would be considered 1 hook even though it has 3 points. A standard crankbait with 2 treble hooks is not considered 6 hooks, only 2. An Alabama rig can be used but only 3 of the 5 baits can contain a hook.