So, this is supposedly "the new thing" for bass fishing.
Link

It is just a freshwater version of the saltwater umbrella rig which has been used for years. But last year, someone won a Bassmaster classic with one. Now, Bass and several other big tourneys have banned them.

First, it seems logical that a school of baitfish would be a pretty attractive target.

But, it is illegal in Minnesota. Each lure could possible catch a fish and it is illegal to fish with multiple lures in Minnesota.

But, what do you think about only have one of the jigs with areal hook? The other 4 baits wouldn't have hooks. They would just be swimming along with the one real hook. Maybe make the one with a hook ride a bit further back from teh rest.

Do you think that it would worth the hassle?

(obviously, it is cold here and I'm thinking way to much about fishing...)

Saw it awhile ago here is the, link

This thing looks like something a great lakes charter boat would use for Salmon.

MadAngler

I personally like the idea of only one hook. Yes-agree that a school of minnows is a very strong attractant versus a single. Also agree to put the hook in the rear of the school. Fish usually ambush the trailing minnow - so this is a great idea.

Same concept on spinner baits. The blade is the "big dog" minnow with the skirt or plastic bait trailing behind (with the hook.)

Most bass fishermen use a "trailer" hook even behind the skirt to grab short strikes.

My only concern is getting the "school" deep enough. Can you control depth well? Also - hook set. This would have increased resistance and mass that would take a heavy rod with strong backbone to set a hook.

Old Hoosier

I don't think it would be worth the hassle, but if you try it I'd love to hea ryour results.

T

Trolling a set "COWBELLS" will acomplish the same thing with less hassle. "Cowbells" can be purchased in a variety of sizes and blade shapes. The multiple blades in a set of cowbells simulates a school of bait fish with your lure trailing at the end.

I've heard talk and I've seen the "Alabama Rig" in some magazines. I just don't see how you call a spreader a new lure? I can see how simulating a school of bait fish would attract fish, but in my opinion it takes away from the purity of being an artificial guy. I've never like bait carousels or crappie rigs either. Yes, you can give fish a choice of live baits at different heights, but casting can be a mess and once you catch a decent fish you have a tangled mess. Just my opinion. I fish for sport first and food second?

I can understand different viewpoints on the lure.

BUT. My real question was about legality. It is clearly not legal in Minnesota in the standard, 5-jig form. Can I reduce it to 1 or 3 jigs and be legal?

Yep, cut a couple of the arms off or put willow blades on instead of baits. Works great on LMB in my area lakes, and I am sure it will tear up the smallies in the bdub.

Where's the sport in it? It reminds me of some crappie fisherman with 12 poles out the front of the boat. I wouldn't use it.

Indiana is going to let people use these things on a temporary trial
to see how it goes. But as far as the Great Lakes they are off limits
to Lake Michigan and any tributaries waters the go into the Lake Michigan for salmon fishing. I'm not sure if this is something I want to use. I to prefer just one lure or a single hook with live bait.

quote chesapeakes: "Where's the sport in it? It reminds me of some crappie fisherman with 12 poles out the front of the boat. I wouldn't use it."

+1

You boys may have interest in this little beauty. It's called a "Gambler Meano Lure". Works on the same principle as the Alabama rig. You can rig it with live bait or plastics. It weights in at 5/16oz. I haven't tried it yet, but the soft water is just around the corner.

quote Mad_Angler: "I can understand different viewpoints on the lure.


BUT. My real question was about legality. It is clearly not legal in Minnesota in the standard, 5-jig form. Can I reduce it to 1 or 3 jigs and be legal?


"

If you had one hook I don't see why it wouldn't be legal. So with 3 jigs only one would actually have a hook?

T

Don't seem right...is this a money rig or a fishin' rig? kinda like a moving trot line (Thoreau is rolling in his grave) (in the interest of civilty I'll stop)

I'm FROM Alabama, just for the record this thing was actually developed in Arkansas. Seriously.

I think the key thing to think about here is that this in my opinion and in many others opinions (including some professional bass fisherman)is not a single lure, but a type of fishing technique similar to trolling, the use of planer boards, or trot lines. The idea that just because I connect several lures together somehow makes them one seems a little trivial to me. State lawmakers are going to have to decide how this technique fits into its current and future standards for effective managment and conservation. For me it takes to much of the sport out of fishing, sure i can catch limits, and catch them faster, but as fisherman (and most not getting paid to fish) is this what we really do it for? Or do we do it for the thrill of the hunt, the feel of a fish smashing the correctly chosen lure with the right presentation. Some of my best days fishing I didn't catch anything at all...

I sent an email to yge Minnesota DNR. A Mr Al G Stevens replied with the following :

"You could use the array of baits or spinners, whatever, but only one of them could have a hook. The others would be attractors and are OK."


So I guess it could be made legal ...

I just saw that the Minnesota DNR has a clarification on the Alabama rig. basically, it can only have one bait with a hook.

Here's a link:
MN DNR

1. no one has convinced me this rig will catch more bass than any other rig.
2. even if it works, it would have to work 5 times better to make me worry about overharvesting. After all, Senkos pretty much upped everyone's catch rate, and no one's calling for a ban.
3. it looks like a pain to use. I bass fish by casting, and this looks like a trolling lure(s).
4. however, I admire any ingenuity when it comes to fishing, and I'm a sucker for "new".
5. nothing sells like a controversial ban on use.
Let's keep it fun.