Alabama Rig Illegal in NH

[Ryan N.]

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2012/News_2012_Q1/alabama_rig_020912.html

[seabiscuit]

Bummed but its probley for the best...the wording still makes it sounds like a big grey area...

[Ryan N.]

Bummed but its probley for the best...the wording still makes it sounds like a big grey area...

I agree

[Chris Hoffman]

I wonder if you can fish the rig with 2 hooked artificials and the remaining 3 baits have no hooks, they are only attached by screw locks.  I gues you hope that the fish hits the baits that have the hooks... right?

[Chris Hoffman]

Well now that I've completely read the article

The words “an artificial bait” contained in New Hampshire's statutory definition of “angling,” mean one artificial bait per line.  Attaching additional spinners, spoons, poppers, plugs, jigs and plastic, rubber or other artificial imitations of natural bait is not allowed. Therefore, an Alabama rig is illegal to use in New Hampshire’s fresh waters.

I guess the answer to my question is "NO", though I would like to try it and see what the rig truly does when recreational fishing.  What is MA law?

[Don C]

They don't care as long as you pay your TAXES 

[Ryan N.]

Well now that I've completely read the article

The words “an artificial bait” contained in New Hampshire's statutory definition of “angling,” mean one artificial bait per line.  Attaching additional spinners, spoons, poppers, plugs, jigs and plastic, rubber or other artificial imitations of natural bait is not allowed. Therefore, an Alabama rig is illegal to use in New Hampshire’s fresh waters.

I guess the answer to my question is "NO", though I would like to try it and see what the rig truly does when recreational fishing.  What is MA law?

I don't think they came out with any kind of clarification here in MA, but I believe the law is the same.

[seabiscuit]

So heres what sucks about making this bait illegal...it will still be used by some anglers regardless of the state law....now in a tournament setting...fair?

[Joe Spinello]

The board members of the NH Bass federation are going to try and come with a decision as to wether or not to even allow it to be used at the opens/STQT.  The interpretation thus far seems to be (1 bait/hook) with trailers (no hooks) is legal.  What we as a federation need to try to avoid is people calling other people into question as to wether or not someone may or may not be throwing the correct number of hooks vs trailers.  I think we open ourselves up to accusations and it may cause more headaches than the rig may be worth.

So we will be posting something up on www.nhbassfederation.com message board as soon as we have something.

[Ryan N.]

I agree it would cause more of a headache than anything I say it should be banned. Nothing against it personally, just in states with laws such as NH and I believe MA it isn't worth the trouble to make sure people are fishing it correctly.  To fish it with one hook would drive me crazy because I guarantee, at least for me anyways, nine times out of ten the baits without hooks would get bit lol.

[Flippin_NH]

Just bought  a 3 pack of 3 arm rigs.

[seabiscuit]

I bought 2 of the traditional 5 bait design...i dont know why haha, law really stinks! but i also agree if its against nh state law just leave it that way BASS has already outlawed it. Is what it is

[Joe Spinello]

The Rig is NOT illegal in NH.  Only one of the baits can have a hook.  The other 3,4,5 "attractors"(whatever you choose) can't have a hook.  TBF/FLW has not banned the rig, just B.A.S.S at this point.  We will be posting something on www.nhbassfederation.com regarding the federation opens and STQT sometime this week.

[Ryan N.]

I would also like to add BASS only banned it in the Elites all there other trails still allow it.

[seabiscuit]

Thanks for in info guys im looking forward to the new news being posted
-Curt