Changed my mind about Multi (Alabama) Rig

[double dip]

"This is one of the reasons why B.A.S.S. ruled against the use of Multiple Baits in the Classic and Elite Series. Professional Bass Fishermen are supposed to be the Stewards of the Fisheries, practicing catch & release in the safest way possible, so as to not harm the fish. It is one thing to get a couple of treble hooks around the mouth, but when the fish are reeled in sideways with hooks on all points of it's body, there is unnecessary harm and stress to the fish. This rig is ultimately going to take it's toll on the bass population in the fisheries we now enjoy."

[inrll]

Yeah that doesn't look too good. I could see how that would happen often with a fighting fish... a few head turns and boom he looks like he got the 5 for 1 deal at Body Piercings R Us.

[Texascoosa]

I saw that picture the other day, I haven't made my mind up on it as I haven't threw it yet. But I've snagged many fish on accident with jerk baits and seen more fish deep hooked with worms. I look at it like its part of fishing, it can't be perfect every time, and if I do happen to deep hook or have a bleeding fish I'll keep it for dinner than throw it back in. Sometimes I think culling a few fish out only makes it better.

[Ruffells]

As stated before in another post the Media and orginizations like Peta will be glad to get a hold of pics like this and these rigs only help them out. As far as jerk baits and soft plastics that mortaily wound fish, these baits have a much lower rate at hurting a fish than when reeling in these rigs and the fish thrashing around getting hooks every where. I have fished soft plastics, specificly worms slowly dragged on the bottom, most of my 17 years of exsitence and have not mortally wounded even a considerble number of fish at all to be considered "bad" (although one is one to many if you weren't planning on keeping some for the table). I wouldn't mind this rig if it was limited to only three wires and one, possibly two, hook(s). It would work the same and still catch fish right? Fish with what you will with in the legal limits. I'm not losing sleep over the issue lol. Hopefuly my "mostly stupid and negative" comment won't offend or change the way anyone fishes. It's just an opioion of a concerned fishermen that wants to enjoy catching fish that can see out of BOTH eyes.

[jfrancho]

You guys realize the pic is a set up, right? It's a hoax, like this pic:

[CTGalloway21]

what is the difference in 5 single hooks compared to 2 treble hooks? If you wanted to be humane, you would not fish at all. It is getting banned because it is dominant. I am sure there are just as many fish getting snagged on rattle-traps as Alabama rigs.

[elhoward622]

Im with Tex and CT on this one. I have side hooked more fish with large jerkbaits and deep hooked more fish with weightless soft plastics than I have harmed with an A-rig. Pictures can be made to say 1,000 words. I have caught lots of fish on the A-rig and have not had a negative experience. Peta would much rather have a picture of a bass with a worm hook out the eye or a bleeder with a ripped out gill rake from single lures. Its a bass with a hook stuck through a fleshy part. I just don't see the issue here. I harvested a 140 pound six point buck on Sunday and he is in a hell of a lot worse shape.

[double dip]

From the Bassmaster site - http://www.bassmaster.com/news/bass-imp ... ite-series Also talks about how multi hook rigs are illegal in some states. Laws will probably be changed to define further

John -- Do you have some links to show the pic is a hoax? I can't find in on google. From what i can tell this came from a PAA angler Facebook page.

I have been bass fishing for 55 years. I am worried about the future of the fishery. This isn't about the "pain" or being humane for me. This is about fish surviving after being foul hooked multiple places. Puncturing organs in the gut. Double treble crank baits and others aren't as effective in catching. Nor as damaging when double hooked. I very occasionally double hook on a multitreble crank bait. I would guess these hook a bass in multiple places almost every time while it is flailing around.

The A rig have been bringing in lots of big fish. Especially during the spawn, when the females are weaker and and hungry, they could decimate a lake of brood stock. When you use these, the majority of the time they will snag other parts of the body. Yeah, it was alive when you released it, but did it survive? Very different than hooking in the mouth. I occasionally snag a fish in other areas with double trebles. Not often. These will do it a lot. Bassmasters has banned them. FLW hasn't... yet.

[jfrancho]

Both pics have been circulating around FB. It's generally thought that they're set up to garner opposition to the bait. Maybe it's real. I'd question that guys motive for posting it. Between myself and four other anglers I know that have literally caught hundreds of smallies on them, not one was foul hooked. Only one of us reported any doubles beyond a rare incident. It's not the gill net people would have you think, but in the right circumstances it gets bit better than anything else, and draws strikes from larger fish.

Here's another thing, while it looks gruesome, infections that form around the maxillary (mouth) processes are much more serious than anything that forms on the body from a puncture wound. There is a fair bit of flesh protecting the organs, even on the vulnerable belly region. Furthermore, if you knew how much damage improperly lipping a fish, or tearing out hooks can do, you might not want to fish anymore.

Here's my take, if you don't like it, don't fish it. But don't throw stones at those who do use it. It's not for everyone, I agree. But I don't think it's anymore dangerous to the fishery than the Senko, Sluggo, or Rapala Minnow - all baits that have met their mire at one point. I think the timing of this bait blowing up was poor. Fall is a time where you can do crazy numbers catching, and I think that is more responsible for the notion that it's a fish catching machine than the baits actual ability. It's still about the angler throwing it. Personally, I'm thinking about trying the 4 teaser, and one big bait in the center, a little behind the group style rig.

If you are worried about the fishery, then I suggest you wage war against things that threaten their environment. Hydro-fracking, toxic pollution, Chem Lawn Runoff, damming, over development, etc. Anyone of those issues will make that A-rig OBSOLETE. A bait can't catch if all the fish are dead.

[elhoward622]

Excellent jfrancho. You and I are on the same page. I have caught tons of fish on A-rig and have not had one single foul hook. I have caught numerous doubles and not one foul hook. If you want to talk about harming fish, our lake house is about a river mile from the top tournament weigh out marina. I find lots of dead bass after deep summer tournaments. I love tournament fishing by the way, I am jut saying that participating in the food chain is a viloent affair. Nature is "red in tooth and claw" as the old saying goes. I am not pointing fingers at anyone by any means here, but, I think fishermen, in general, have gotten too squeamish. Too far disconnected from nature and life cycles. Pain, suffering, and death are constant in the short lives of wild animals. I think the "catch and release only" mind set is not always the best. I am super gulty of throwing everything back, even when fishery management encourages harvest I still throw them back. Selective harvesting is good for all types of animal species, be it on land or water. I hate seeing guys on forums get killed for eating or harvesting fish. I remember a Georgia man, most assuredly poor, caught a reported high teens bass and ate it; the guys was put on blast immediately. A big fish like that is in it's last life cycles and has put in many good broods of fry and fingerlings into the ecosystem. Selective harvest/trophy management is King. They are fish. Just saying.