THE BASS COLLEGE

The Bass College

FINALLY!! SOMEBODY WHO IS IN CHARGE WITH SOME COMMON SENSE!! 

FLW 20.Jan.2012 by Kathy Fennel--  FLW 

The Alabama Rig has taken the bass-fishing world by storm. Every discussion about its use seems to generate an emotional response unlike anything I’ve seen in my more than 30 years in the sport.

For every passionate plea that it be banned from tournaments, there is an equally passionate plea that it be allowed. No matter which side of the debate you are on, one thing is undeniable:

The Alabama Rig has generated a level of excitement and interest in bass fishing unlike anything that has come before. Since their inception, tournaments have been the spawning ground for lure, equipment and technique innovations that help recreational anglers catch more and bigger fish.

It’s the reason fans tune in to our television shows, visit our websites, read our magazines and attend our events. There are millions of bass anglers out there with an insatiable appetite for cutting-edge information that will make them better at their sport. To argue that the Alabama Rig and other castable umbrella rigs be banned from tournaments is to believe that we’ve finally reached the end of innovation; that the great equalizer has been found; that the only thing separating novice anglers from the world’s top professionals is a weighted head with five wire leaders and swimbaits. There is nothing more to learn.

We believe professional anglers deserve more credit than that. We believe their skill and intuition will not be undercut by a baitfish-imitating technique that helps less experienced anglers catch fish when otherwise they might not. Will it force some pros to elevate their game and adapt? Of course it will. Just like GPS, side-imaging sonar, sight-fishing, shallow-water anchors and countless lure, line and rod innovations have done over the years.

Buzzbaits and ChatterBaits were once considered radical, as were flipping and sight-fishing. But they are all simply tools of the trade now. The same will hold true for Alabama Rigs. It’s not the end of fishing as we know it. Anglers are still held to a daily five-fish limit. Tournaments are still catch-and-release.

Our conservation ethic has not changed. We’ve taken the additional step of contacting wildlife officials in each state hosting an event in every FLW circuit to urge them to study the effects of castable umbrella rigs on live release rates. If conservation issues are discovered, we will reevaluate our rules accordingly.

For now, we are leaving that in the capable hands of the experts within each state, and castable umbrella rigs will be permitted in our 2012 tournaments. Sincerely, Kathy Fennel President, Operations Division FLW Outdoors

THIS IS A PICTURE AND A STATEMENT BY STACEY KING 

My buddy, Robert Robbins, with a pair of nice keeper Kentucky's he caught on an Alabama rig. Kudos to Kathy Fennel, President of FLW Operations, for making the most sensible statement I have seen concerning the Alabama rig since this whole craze has started. - STACEY KING 

The Bass College

‎24.Jan.2012 by Jay Yelas

The Alabama Rig is all the rage now in the sport of professional bass fishing. In my 23 years as a pro, I have never seen a new bait create such excitement – or catch as many bass. I believe the reason it has been so successful this past fall and winter is the fact that it is something new the bass haven’t seen before. I operate under the assumption that in heavily-fished public lakes, every bass has been caught before, at least once. However, every time it has been caught, it has always been on one lure.

Whether it was caught on a spinnerbait, worm, jig, topwater or whatever, it was just one lure. A bass has never been stung by a hook when chasing into a school of baitfish. Basically what I am saying is that bass have learned to count to one. The Alabama Rig is just a new, innovative way to fool a bass once again. I look forward to seeing what other new bait innovations may come along now that this “multi-bait” idea is out of the box. I fish my Alabama Rig with Berkley Hollow Belly swimbaits, but maybe someone will create a way to fish five crankbaits, jigs or worms at one time. Who knows?

I know there is more than a little controversy about the Alabama Rig, but I think it is the best thing that has happened to our sport in a long time. The reason is simple: we all catch way more bass than we used to. And it’s fun – something new to make a day on the lake more enjoyable. If those are the reasons you go fishing, to have fun and catch fish, then the Alabama Rig is for you. I understand why some pros want it banned. They don’t go fishing to have fun; they fish to make money. They are masters of the bass fishing world as we have known it: the single-lure world. The Alabama Rig is a game changer, and when you've got the bass world by the tail you don't want things to change.

However, you can’t stop innovation. It is the trademark of free capitalist markets. Free markets breed innovation that breed a better life. Innovation has made America what it is today. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution and continuing through today's Technological Revolution, innovation is what has made America a world leader. I don't suppose any Alabama Rig opponents want to trade in their iPhone for their old cell phone, or go back to land lines? The same should be true when it comes to fishing lures. Innovation simply makes life better!

There remains no reason to not embrace new fishing-lure innovations; they have always been a part of our sport. The exception, of course, is if they were in some way harmful to our fisheries. However, there is no scientific evidence that the Alabama Rig is harmful to fish. Most biologists consider soft plastic worms more harmful because bass swallow them. Alabama Rigs don’t gill-hook fish either, the way crankbaits sometimes do.

The bass fishing world has been hit by the greatest lure innovation in our lifetime. I can't wait for this new FLW Tour season. I'm hooking Berkley Hollow Bellys on my Alabama Rig and I can't wait to see what more I can learn about fishing in 2012.

Jay and I have been friends for a while He used to be on my radio show every week for years and I talked to him on the phone and ate dinner with him at the Classic in Pittsburg among other things. This attitude is just one of the things I like about Jay. Thank God some people have some common sense is all I have to say.

Steve Owner/CEO The Bass College

Steve and Jay doing a seminar at Ft Washington Pa bottom photo, top photo is Steve and Jay at the Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburg after we had dinner.

RICK CLUNN ON THE ALABAMA RIG

“The newest technique, the umbrella/Ala. rig, certainly has created a lot of conversation both ways. It reminds me of the hysteria when the first graph recorders appeared. The premature hysteria was trying to ban it at all levels. Minnesota said it would clean their many lakes of fish. Jet boats and bed fishing created similar premature responses. One tournament organization banned aluminum jet boats because it might hurt the sale of their $60,000 dollar rigs.

“All new techniques deserve constructive criticism from a scientific viewpoint, not a hysterical one. I admit I was not initially in favor of bed fishing because I was not very good at it and I leaned on the premature assumption that if everyone started doing it, it would hurt the resource. To this date that has not proved to be a valid concern.

“Legally, most of the laws were made (eons) ago to restrict intentional snaggin’ of other species like salmon. Will trotlines be banned next?

“The only current reality I see is that it has created tremendous interest in fishing at a time of year that there is little. People are going fishing at a time that they would normally be staying at home. It has created a tremendous demand for the Industry to create more and newer product.

“All the real things that are happening I see as positives. Ethically we need to wait and watch and not jump to conclusions. There are no magical lures if you do not know where to fish them. If someone starts catching limits out of their toilets I will then be worried. When people catch more fish, people fish more. Isn’t that what we should all be promoting?

“Until we have sufficient data to rule otherwise … enjoy!!!!”

RICK CLUNN

WFN ON THE ALABAMA RIG

Ethics and The Alabama Rig

Posted On January 26, 2012 WFN

Like a lot of bass anglers, I was interested to read the other day that the Bassmaster Elite Series Rules Committee has amended the regulations for anglers fishing in the upcoming Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series, making it clear that only a single lure can be used during practice and tournament competition.

The move is in obvious response to Paul Elias' stunning victory at the recent 2011 FLW event on Lake Guntersville, when he literally walked away from the rest of the field, thanks to the fact he was the only angler using the until-then, unknown Alabama Rig, for the entire tournament.

Since Elias won the event, it is fair to say that demand for the umbrella rig has shot through the roof. Indeed, a friend who recently returned from a trip to Guntersville reported that, "every angler I saw was throwing an Alabama Rig."

The move by the Bassmaster folks has certainly sparked plenty of healthy debate, and no shortage of e-mails, asking what I thought of the rule change.

So, let me carefully put my toe into the water and offer a few thoughts.

First, if the one-rod, one-line, one-lure rule is supported by the majority of anglers fishing the Bassmaster Elite series, as it seems to be, then that is the way it should be. It is absolutely no different, in my mind, from the rule the Bassmaster folks have on the books restricting tournament anglers from using the main motor to assist in manipulating the bait.

So, in addition to not being able to "troll", anglers are also now restricted from throwing tandem fluke-rigs or two top water frogs as previously has been the case.

Ditto, using a jig instead of a weight to anchor a drop-shot rig.

Which brings us to the question of ethics and whether or not the Alabama - and similar rigs - should be banned outright.

The easiest way to answer that question, I think, is to ask yourself this: "If banning the Alabama rig is the solution, what is the problem?"

Based on Elias' showing at Guntersville, many anglers are suggesting it is a matter of conservation. That the rig is so effective, there won't be any fish left in the lakes.

When I read and heard that argument, I couldn't help thinking back, far too many years than I wanted, to when the first buzzbaits appeared on the scene. It was impossible back then not to catch fish throwing the crazy things. But, then the action, as so often happens, waned.

So many anglers threw so many buzzbaits that the fish were bombarded and became conditioned to them. And while buzzbaits remain a good option when conditions are "right", I have to scratch my head to recall a recent major tournament that was won by an angler throwing a buzzbait.

Ditto, Sluggos.

I'll never forget when Sluggo's first appeared and Bob and Wayne Izumi and I had them a year or so in advance of most other anglers. Bob and I were practicing for a big event back then, following several other boats down a shoreline. No matter where we threw those silly Sluggos, a bass scooted from out of nowhere, grabbed onto the soft plastic bait and would not let go of it.

It was silly.

A year or so later, I went down and fished the Bassmaster Top 100 event on Minnesota's Lake Minnetonka and lead the co-angler side on Day 1 and 2, eventually finishing third. I practiced for that event one day with buddy and Connecticut bass pro Terry Backsay. Terry had made a big name for himself in his rookie season, making it to the Bassmaster Classic and placing high in nearly every event he fished, throwing Sluggos almost exclusively.

I'll never forget going down one row of docks on Minnetonka in practice, throwing Sluggos, and it was brutal because the bass wouldn't let go of Terry's and my bait. We'd pitch the soft plastic lure into a boat slip, let it settle to the bottom, tighten up on the line and there would be a bass hanging onto it more times than not. We had our hooks bent back so we didn't stick any of the fish in practice, and many times we'd drag the bass right to the side of the boat before it finally let go. Several times, the fish swallowed the baits!

Yet, Sluggo's too, quickly became passé.

Indeed, when was the last time a major tournament was won by an angler throwing a Sluggo? It is still a great lure, but ......

My sense is we're going to see the same thing happen with the Alabama rig, especially since so many anglers are going to be throwing the rigs this season. Indeed, it will be fascinating to see how long it takes, before the shine starts to tarnish.

Something else to think about: in Ontario and most Canadian provinces you're allowed to have four (4) hook points on your main line, a treble hook counting as one "hook point".

This means it is legal for anglers to use "pickerel rigs" sporting four single hooks, each baited with a live minnow, leech, or nightcrawler. So, what is it more "ethical" or "unethical" - four live baits dangling from a single line, or four soft plastic lures?

Indeed, gun advocates are fond of suggesting that, "guns don't kill people, other people kill people". And so it is with fishing lures.

I mean, how can catching and releasing a bass on an Alabama rig be called "unethical", while catching and killing the fish on a lure sporting a single hook is somehow "right"?

Hmmmm .......

To cloud the "ethical issue" even further, the Bassmaster folks still use the outdated, "dry" weigh in method, as opposed to the "water weigh-in" system, that all credible science shows to be much more fish friendly.

Indeed, the ground breaking research carried out by fish physiologists like Dr. Bruce Tufts of Queen's University clearly shows that taking fish out of water and weighing them in a dry basket to be extremely stressful, even lethal. Yet, the dry system is the method Bassmaster continues to employ.

Which means, you can't use an Alabama rig to catch a fish in the Bassmaster Classic or any of the Bassmaster Elite Series events that use the outdated, antiquated, dry basket weigh-in procedure. But, you can use the Alabama rig in FLW events that employ the state-of-the-art, fish friendly, water weight in system.

Go figure.

But, that is the problem with ethics. They keep getting in the way!

27.Jan.2012 by David Dudley

OK guys, it’s time to man up and talk about the real fire behind the fury. Why are some “pros” so dead set on banning Alabama Rigs from tournaments? The answer is simple.

They are scared.

They are scared that somebody else is going to cash the fat checks they’ve grown accustomed to. And I understand. I’m scared, too. But I’m a pro.

I learn new techniques all the time, and I continually work on the old ones to make them more effective. It’s what we do as pros.

Years ago I used to throw a deep-diving crankbait and, as a pro, I could tell if the bottom was soft or hard. I could find stumps, rock piles, shell beds, you name it. It gave me a competitive advantage because I could find the exact places that were likely to hold bass.

Then came along side-imaging sonar and took away the value of that skill. Now any “pro” who can push a button can find not only very specific structure that is likely to hold bass, but the exact location of a school relevant to that structure. What’s more, thanks to integrated GPS, the exact location of that school can be marked so the “pro” can come back to it every day and mine it for all that its worth. Where is the time-honored tradition in that? Where is the skill? Where are the asterisks in the record books? The bottom line of the argument I keep hearing is that the Alabama Rig is bad because it helps too many people catch too many bass.

So I ask, which helps people catch more fish, the Alabama Rig or side-imaging sonar?

And please, none of that “Nobody every hooked a bass with side-imaging sonar” crap.

It’s not like we are bird watchers. There is only one reason anglers pinpoint schools of bass, and there are plenty of lures in our tackle boxes to catch them once they are located. So which is more ethical? Trying to entice bass to bite an artificial school of baitfish, or stalking them with $3,000 sonar units? Where was the outrage over side-imaging sonar? Every pro arguing to ban Alabama Rigs because they are too effective at catching fish is a hypocrite when they turn on their side-imaging sonar units or flip on their GPS and zoom from bedding bass to bedding bass.

The same can be said for those who argue it should be banned on conservation grounds. Before you applaud BASS for their decision and start touting their high moral standards, you might want to reread their news release where they only outlawed umbrella rigs in the Elite Series and Classic. That’s 100 pros out of thousands of anglers who fish BASS events. That’s going to protect our resources? Really? I mean REALLY? Where is the MORAL superiority in that decision?

A decision I might add that was based on the results of two tournaments – FLW Tour, Lake Guntersville and EverStart Series, Kentucky Lake – held under what appear to be perfect Alabama Rig conditions. Has anyone bothered to check the live-release rates at these two Alabama-Rig dominated tournaments? I have. On days three and four, when everyone was using the Alabama Rig, there was 98 percent live release at Guntersville and 100 percent at Kentucky Lake! So while some “pros” support banning Alabama Rigs based on conservation principles, the facts don’t support that position. There are a lot of emotional arguments flying around out there, but very few facts because casting umbrella rigs to catch bass is new and we simply don’t know how the technique will perform on a variety of lakes under a variety of conditions. Some of my most regrettable moments on the water and off were the result of hasty decisions where I didn’t know enough information before I committed to something. FLW has taken the right approach.

Study the effects under a full season of tournament conditions and make a decision based on fact, not emotion. That’s how this debate would be settled in a court of law. JUST THE FACTS! To say that Alabama Rigs are somehow more harmful to bass than other lures is laughable.

My prediction is that, when the facts are in, the mortality rate for bass caught on Alabama Rigs will be low, like it is for any other retrieve bait. Senkos, shaky heads and Texas rigs produce much higher mortality rates due to the fact that bass swallow these baits at a much higher rate than any retrieve bait. BAN THE SENKO! BAN THE SHAKY HEAD! BAN THE TEXAS RIG! It’s a slippery slope. Does the Alabama rig allow anglers to catch more fish? Based on what we’ve seen this fall, the answer is YES! Does it help some “pros” be more competitive? YOU BET IT DOES! Will TRUE PROS continue to dominate the sport? ABSOLUTELY!

It’s what we do as PROS! This elevates the game for everyone, “PROS” and PROS alike. For all of you guys who are favoring the “higher standard” approach, here are some suggestions for the T-shirts you are working on to help you live by what you are preaching:

Paper maps = Higher standard!

Flashers = Higher standard!

Crankbaits with one hook = Higher standard!

Jerkbaits with one hook = Higher standard!

Push button reels = Higher standard!

Bamboo poles = Higher standard!

Paddles = Higher standard!

Rocks as anchors = Higher standard!

No fish-imitating noise machines = Higher standard!

No polarized sunglasses = Higher standard!

Here is a suggestion for the other side of the shirts: “One rod, one Senko, one dead bass!” My conclusion. Thank you FLW for not listening to emotions and for taking your time to seek the facts. It’s yet another reason why I fish FLW. Follow David and The Bass College on Facebook!

Alabama Home of the original Alabama Rig by Mann’s Lures. Fish it with (5) hooked lures and hold on!

Alaska There are no freshwater bass in Alaska, but there is some great pike fishing. In that sense, I’m sure this rig works well for pike too. I have contacted ADFG for clarification and will post the information when it becomes available.

Arizona As current law stands, it is advised that you do not rig more than “two” baits onto the Alabama Rig. Depending on how you interpret “lure” from the rules, an angler should be allowed to rig (2) swimbaits on the rig with hooks and (3) teaser lures without hooks. Anglers may use only one line or pole with no more than two hooks. An artificial lure is considered one hook.

Arkansas Anglers may use the Alabama Rig according to this email response from 1/13/2012. Hi Daniel, yes, at this time, the umbrella rig and the Alabama rig are legal to use for sport fishing in Arkansas waters.

Kim Cartwright Media Specialist California You may only have (3) hooks on your Alabama Rig. It has been advised to rig (2) teaser lures or spinnerbait blades onto the rig to remain legal. In California, “all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto” (California Code of Regulations, section 2.00)

Colorado From my interpretation, anglers can rig (3) lures with hooks onto the Alabama Rig. It appears that you can rig (2) teaser lures to remain legal. The following are legal methods of take for species listed in this chapter. Any method of take not listed herein shall be prohibited, except as otherwise provided by statute or these regulations: 1. One personally attended line, except as otherwise authorized in these regulations. a. Each line shall have no more than 3 common hooks attached. A common hook is considered (1) lure.

Connecticut Anglers may used the Alabama Rig with (5) hooked lures. Delaware Anglers may rig (3) hooked lures onto the Alabama Rig, but may not rig any additional hooks or teasers. The use of more than three hooks or lures per rod or pole is prohibited.

Florida It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (5) hooked lures. Georgia I have contacted Georgia’s Fish and Wildlife for official word on umbrella rigs and will post updated information as soon as it becomes available.

Hawaii The only freshwater body of water told to have bass is the Wahiawa Reservoir Public Fishing Area, on the island of Oahu. In this case, only (2) hooked lures are allowed on the Alabama Rig. Response by the Division of Aquatic Resources, State of Hawaii. Idaho It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (5) hooks. A hook is deemed to be “a bent wire device, for the catching of fish, to which one, two, or three points may be attached to a single shank. Up to five (5) hooks per line may be used, except where specifically prohibited.”

Illinois Anglers are allowed to rig (2) lures with hooks. It is recommended that the angler rig (3) teaser baits or spinnerbait blades to the remaining (3) wires.

Indiana The Alabama Rig may be used with (2) hooked lures. It is recommended that you use teasers or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (3) wires. Each line is limited to no more than two single or multi-barbed hooks, two artificial baits or two live bait harnesses. Iowa The Alabama Rig may be used with (2) hooked lures. Thank you for using the Iowa DNR website. Unfortunately the Alabama Rig as it is with the five lures is not legal. According to the Fisheries Bureau you can remove three of the hooks and have the same principle of a line look like a school of fish to attract others. As long as a rig only has two hooks it would be legal. Clarification provided by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Kansas The Alabama Rig is legal in Kansas if you rig (2) hooked lures with teasers or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (3) wires. 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.

Kentucky It is legal to use (5) hooked lures with the Alabama Rig. Clarification provided by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Louisiana It appears that the fully rigged Alabama Rig is legal to use. I have emailed Louisiana DWF for clarification and will post the answer when it becomes available.

Maine It is legal to use (5) hooked lures with the Alabama Rig. The Alabama rig is legal to use in Maine with the following stipulations: there can only be a single baited hook on the line, the other lines can have artificial lures but you can only have a single baited hook. If used strictly for artificial lures you can have as many lures on a line as desired. Clarification provided by Maine Warden Service.

Maryland Anglers may rig (2) hooked lures onto the Alabama Rig. It is advised to use “teaser” lures or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (3) wires. The Department has recently received many questions about a type of gear called an Alabama Rig. The Department defines the Alabama Rig as an umbrella rig. The umbrella rig, as described on page 39 of the 2012 Fishing Guide, may not have more than two baits or lures which have hooks. Additional hooks can be removed to bring the rig into compliance with regulations.

Massachusetts It appears that Massachusetts State Law has outlawed any lure that is designed to catch “more than one” fish. In this case, the Alabama Rig is considered illegal.

Michigan There is some conflicting information regarding the Alabama Rig in Michigan. Interpreting the rules would make the rig legal with up to (6) hooks. I have notified Michigan and will post the response when it becomes available. No more than three lines per person (including tip-ups) nor more than six hooks or lures may be used. All hooks attached to an artificial bait or “night crawler harness” are counted as one hook.

Hooks must be baited or attached to an artificial bait. Minnesota The Alabama Rig is considered illegal in Minnesota. The Alabama rig would generally not be legal to use in Minnesota. Minnesota does have some newer, more flexible tackle regulations. But the maximum number of hooks on a single tackle configuration is 3, they must all be on a single line in a row, and the hooks cannot measure more than 9 inches from the first hook to the last hook. The Alabama rig is not considered an artificial bait/lure in Minnesota. Clarification provided by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Mississippi It is legal to use the Alabama Rig in some waters, but is illegal in some waters. Always check the regulations for each lake and river before fishing. Game fish may be taken only by hook and line with one or more hooks (including rod and reel with artificial bait), trolls or trotlines. Each person having a valid fishing license may use no more than 100 hooks per person.

Missouri It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal.

Montana I have written Montana DFW for clarification on the Alabama Rig. Updated information will be posted as soon as it is received. Nebraska It is illegal to fish the Alabama Rig in Nebraska. Pay attention to the details in your laws. This is confirmed. Nevada It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (2) hooked lures attached. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades to the remaining (3) wires to remain legal. No more than three baited hooks, nor more than three fly hooks, or two lures or plugs irrespective of the number of hooks or attractor blades attached thereto, may be attached to the line. Some waters have further restrictions.

New Hampshire It is illegal to use the Alabama Rig in New Hampshire. As you can see, the term “an” precedes the words “artificial bait”. “An” is singular and therefore the fact that the Alabama rig has multiple artificial baits that are interchangeable on the wires would make it illegal in the state of New Hampshire. Clarification provided by New Hampshire Fish & Game.

I. Angling: The taking of fish by line in hand, or rod in hand to which is attached a cast of artificial flies, or an artificial bait, or hooks or other devices for the attachment of bait. A person may have in use not more than 2 such lines at one time. Nothing in this title shall prohibit the use of a rod-holder in a boat. New Jersey I have contacted New Jersey Fish & Wildlife for clarification and will post the results as soon as it becomes available.

New Mexico It is legal to use (5) hooked lures with the Alabama Rig. It is legal in our state expect in our Special Trout Waters and cannot be used for snagging outside of our snagging season. Clarification provided by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

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.

North Carolina I have contacted North Carolina Wildlife for clarification and will post the results as soon as it becomes available. North Dakota It appears that the Alabama Rig is legal to use if you have (3) hooked lures and (2) spinnerbait blades or attractors on the remaining (2) wires. A lure is defined as any man-made object comprised of metal, plastic, wood and/or other non-edible materials made or used to catch fish. A lure may not contain more than three hooks and the maximum distance between any hooks on a lure may not exceed 10 inches. A single hook may not include more than three points, barbed or otherwise. Spinners and other live bait rigs and harnesses are considered a lure and are legal. Hookless dodgers or attractors used ahead of a lure or bait are legal.

Ohio The Alabama Rig may be used with (3) hooked lures. An Alabama Rig or Umbrella Rig, using 5 leaders, is not legal in Ohio. Anglers may only use up to three hooks on each line. The Alabama Rig allows for 5 items to be attached. If a fisherman were to use only 3 of the leaders on the rig, using only 3 hooks in total for the entire rig, then, they could use the rig, but would be using only part of it. Clarification provided by Ohio’s Division of Wildlife.

Oklahoma The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (5) hooked lures. Oregon The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use “teaser” baits without hooks or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires. No more than two hooks may be used while angling for Pacific halibut and no more than three hooks may be used while angling for other species except herring jigs may be used for marine food fish species. A single, double or treble point hook is classified as one hook.

Pennsylvania The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal. 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.

Rhode Island The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal. Unless otherwise specified, only a rod and reel or other hand-held and hand-operated device shall be used to catch fish in the fresh waters of the state. At no time shall a person place, operate, or superintend more than two (2) of these devices for the purpose of catching fish, except as noted below, and no more than three (3) hooks may be attached to each device.

South Carolina I have contacted S.C. DNR and will post updated information as it becomes available. South Dakota The Alabama Rig may be fshed with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal. Two lines and three hooks per line may be used for fishing.

Tennessee The Alabama Rig may be fished with (3) hooked lures. Anglers may NOT use teaser baits or spinnerbait blades because Tennessee considers this illegal. Tennessee defines an illegal umbrella rig as an array of more than 3 artificial lures or baits (with or without hooks) used by a single rod and reel combination.

Texas It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig in Texas with (5) hooked baits.

Utah It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (2) hooked lures. I have written Utah DWR for clarification on teaser baits and attractors for the remaining (3) wires. Result will be posted once it becomes available. No line may have attached to it more than two baited hooks, two artificial flies or two artificial lures.

Vermont It is legal to use the Alabama Rig in Vermont with only (2) hooked lures. A person may take fish only by using not more than two lines of which he or she has immediate control. Each line may not have more than two baited hooks, or three artificial flies or two lures with or without bait. Virginia It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig with (5) hooked lures.

Washington It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use “teasers” or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires. Hook and line angling only. Barbed or barbless hooks may be used, and a hook may be single-point, double, or treble, but not more than one line with up to three hooks per angler may be used”.

West Virginia It is legal to use (5) hooked baits on the Alabama Rig. While trout fishing in special regulation waters, multiple hook lures must have barbless hooks. There are no other limits on hooks. Clarification provided by West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Wisconsin It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is unclear if “teasers” or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires would be considered illegal. I have contacted the state for more information. It is illegal to fish with more than three hooks, baits, or lures. Wyoming It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is unclear if “teaser” baits or spinnerbait blades can be used on the remaining (2) wires. Updated information will be posted here once it becomes available. No line may have more than three (3) single hooked devices attached. A hook is described as being “a single hooked device or bait regardless of the number of prongs”.