You are correct. I have stayed out of this discussion as I don't use those rigs....kind of hard to throw those with 2# test...LOL. But it doesn't mean I haven't kept up with regs. I saw that video when it was first released. It was supposed to clarify the state ruling as there were a lot of people who misunderstood it. Well it seems that many still misunderstand the ruling...to include TWRA. There are going to be many who will bring up that video and ask if regs were broken to catch that fish. I don't have an answer to that but you can bet that many will ask that same question. I'm happy the guy caught the fish and hopefully TWRA will once and for all say what is legal and illegal in those rigs.


Regards

It is legal to have 5 hooks ONLY if those hooks are really small. I believe a size 8 is the largest any of the 5 hooks can be, i.e. a sabiki rig (spelling?)

If any of the hooks are larger than a size 8, then you can only have 3 hooks, but you can have baits on all 5 of the legs. It has been that way since right after they became popular.

Hopefull that is clear as mud.

Would not be the first time I have broke that law. I May or may not fish a 5 bait rig pretty often.

i thought i had a clear understanding of what was legal....after watching that video, im not so sure now with the mention of the hook size.
i thought you could throw 100 baits, but only 3 could have hooks....apparently that is not true if said hooks are larger than a 6?
what about the crankbaits....hypothetically, i could replace the factory hooks with larger hooks and now i have 18 larger than factory hooks on 3 crankbaits and that is still ok? i would imagine your foul hooking % would skyrocket which is one of the reasons the pro tours banned them isnt it?
this sounds like a mess unless im just missing something. lol....i have been known to do that in the past.

Side Note, did the fish live or die? might be a dumb question considering it could be the new state record.

Watch the video at the prescribed time and come back and tell me it is clear as mud. When the Chief of TWRA Fisheries says it is illegal what is one supposed to think?


Regards

That fish is dead and going on the wall, like it should.

I'm confused too now on the rigs. I always thought as long as you only have 3 hooks you're good. I never fish with those anyway so I don't keep up with the rules on them.

I give my friends a hard time and say it's a cheating lure but that's only to mock those who get so riled up about using it. I see nothing wrong with it but someone did bring up a good point on fb about why he is against using it. He mentioned that with multiple blades and hooks a bass is likely to get scratched, snagged, etc. more than once when taking a strike at that setup. Whether you catch and grease or catch and release, a bass with a gash on the skin may not do too well. Just food for thought. You'll never catch crap from me for using that rig. Tight lines!!

According to a statement released by the angler who caught it...says he will mount it.


Regards

You won't catch crap from me using one either but the rules are not clear on it.

Regards

I don't know if regulations have changed since this video was released, but he clearly say that 5 baits on the legs, hooks or not, is unacceptable.

Have I been breaking the rules the whole time? Are they gonna take my Duckett if they see me?

thats what i figured, and i dont blame him, i was just wondering from a legal standpoint now with the Rig he used. if it is deemed illegal and he killed the fish, could he possibly get fined more for essentially poaching the fish?
ive got no dog in the fight either way, just curious as to how this might pan out for the guy.
thats my only personal hangup with them things is the damage the fish can and most likely will sustain when hooked and trashes around. some of them big swim bait forged hooks will put a nasty gash in them fish and from then on its just a dead fish swimming....in my own opinion.

Didn't that rig he caught the fish on have only 3 arms? I have never seen one but it shows them on the Dixie Customs Facebook page. If it only has 3 arms it is perfectly legal.


Regards

The 2014 TWRA Fishing Guide shows an legal example of an umbrella rig. It has 3 wires with hooks and 2 wires with attractors....LOL. They need to get that thing worked out.


Regards

Here is an image of the Exact Dixie Custom Rods Rig.
As you can See, 5 Wires & 4 Blades.

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/...psgvqz9hf4.jpg

I don't know how you guys throw those things. What does it weigh with baits on it?


Regards

7.5 Rod with 30b Braid. Like a knife through butter!