How about bringing an event or two out here on the West Coast? The Cal Delta and Clear Lake are two of the strongest bodies of water in the entire U.S.
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December 2011
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Keith Reed of Bethel Island, CA writes:
Friday, December 30, 2011 -
Sam Burel of Douglasville, GA writes:
Thursday, December 29, 2011Seems that sometime in the last few days, B.A.S.S. has declared me and a few hundred Life Members as dead! I just received a renewal notice for the membership and magazine. Now, when did that happen? I feel pretty good today, maybe a little slower and a few extra pains when my feet hit the floor this morning, but I'm still going to work and drawing some pay. Funny how one minute you feel great and the next you're dead.
Here's how I feel about my new "status." If I'm dead, I don't have to pay for anything anymore. If this renewal notice is for real, keep your stuff and I and many newly declared dead Life Members will be in contact and you won't need to light candles or hold hands around a table in a dark room.
Yo, Ray Scott, you left out the "Limits" when we signed up!
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Ron Shaddix of Spanish Fort, AL writes:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011RE: Jack Wingate remembered – I knew Jack only as the owner of Wingate's. I first met him in the fall of 1987. Spent two weeks at his lodge and had a wonderful experience. He told me of forgotten stories of fishing, hunting and frog-gigging along the Flint and Hooch. He was a great man who never looked for greatness. It just happended that way. We'll miss you, Jack.
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G. Brown of Fredericksburg, VA writes:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011RE: PAA – Co-anglers fishing is great, but as Dave mentions, they are fishing for their own money ... nothing is being added to the pot. However, one of the biggest complaints by PAA and pro anglers (which I agree with) is that the pros are fishing for their own money. So it appears it's okay for the co-anglers, but not the pros!
Wow, I don't like that, but it appears the PAA is treating co-anglers like most organizations seem to be doing, which essentially is as a side note to the whole fishing program.
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Sam Burel of Douglasville, GA writes:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011RE: Rucks' new role – "Don Rucks' 23-month tenure as GM of B.A.S.S. occurred during one of the most volatile periods in the history of the organization and the sport."
And, in 23 months, Don R. hammered B.A.S.S. in to the ground. In such a short period of time, more members left than came in during the previous 5 or more years ... check the stats (got my info from the magazine's yearly membership/distribution numbers).
"At ESPN/B.A.S.S., I was on one side, the anglers were on another, the sponsors were on another, and so on."
Rather than bolster the Once-proud organization, which at times is similar to raising more than 5 children at one time, each with his or her own personality, Don dictatated policies and mandates that ESPN thought professional bass fishing needed. His iron-headed approach came from where his paycheck came from and that from a group of money men trying to make more money. Oh yeah, the good pros made more money and ESPN raised it's stature in their eyes, but without immediate backing, (trust fund, momma's/daddy's money, lottery, business owner, awesome job, etc.), anyone wanting to earn a shot at making it on tour leaves a legacy of more than the cost of a 4-year college in 1 or 2 years trying to qualify for the next step up.
Go back to the basics, B.A.S.S. Promote from within. Open more slots for the Federation anglers – they are your future!
I'm happy you are off the unemployement rolls, Don, but I'm sad you didn't find this gig before B.A.S.S. She'd be in a lot better shape.
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Garrett Smith of Cedar Rapids, IA writes:
Saturday, December 24, 2011RE: 2012 tour wins – All of the wins were awesome in their own way, but the suspense and excitment of seeing Denny Brauer put on a clinic at the Ark was awesome. Then to top it all off, the suspense of waiting in the locks! This tournament had everything. That, and I am kind of a fan of the old guys!
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Gary Alexander of Burleson, Texas writes:
Friday, December 23, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – I knew Ray Murski for over 30 years due to his backing of the Texas State Bass Tournament. He wanted this tournament to live on and he backed it with his sponsorship. He was loved and respected and he never did it to get credit for it. I will miss his stories and humor – he was one of a kind. My condolences.
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Lisa McLain Simmons of Cleveland, TN writes:
Friday, December 23, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – My thoughts and prayers go out to a wonderful and blessed family. My dad was a fisherman and I know he would have been saddened as well. He loved the fishing industry and all of his friends.
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Dr. Dennis R. Spence of Tyler, TX writes:
Thursday, December 22, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – Ray was a friend to all he knew, and all he knew were affectionally referred to as "Buck." You always knew who was calling (in the days before caller ID) when you heard, "Hey, Buck ..."
Hunter, fisherman, all-around outdoor enthusiast who lived and loved life to the greatest degree ... memorable events include bird shoots and bets at the ranch. We will all miss you, "Uncle Buck."
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Tom Cox of Canton, GA writes:
Thursday, December 22, 2011RE: PAA changes for '12 – Good idea to bring back co-anglers! Lowering the pro entry fee seems like a step in the right direction, but going back to $1,500 (maybe $1,750) is probably a better change.
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Timmy Dean Kleine of Clifton, TX writes:
Thursday, December 22, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – Ray will be missed so much by all who knew him. I will never forget when Kevin Van Dam won the Bassmaster Classic. He called me and wanted a full-page color ad in our Hunting/Fishing Guide to honor not Strike King lures, but the great accomplishment of Kevin winning. He was so happy for him.
Ray, I love you, my friend, and will never forget that you always called me "Buck" when we talked. God bless you and I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around you during this time and you can feel his comfort.
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Dean Royce of Columbia, SC writes:
Thursday, December 22, 2011RE: PAA changes for '12 – Uh oh. PAA allowing co-anglers?. They must really be in trouble. I'll sprint out to help this ego-based organization.
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Jason Houchins of Clarksville, VA writes:
Thursday, December 22, 2011RE: PAA changes for '12 – The PAA seems to get it. The last sentence in the story about PAA reduced fees says it all. The anglers need to compete for sponsorship money, not each other's money.
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Trevor Knight of Magnolia, DE writes:
Thursday, December 22, 2011RE: PAA changes for '12 – The PAA had the right idea and format from 2008-09. After that, the board totally destroyed the organization. The small decrease from $2,500 to $2,000 dollar entry fees is not going to help them one bit. They should never have raised it from the original $1,500.
Just look at the turnout for their events. The field of anglers has decreased every tournament since they changed the rules, fees, and payouts in 2010. A full field used to be 150 by PAA standards. Then they changed it, saying 100 was a full field.
The PAA fell apart once already, and it is going down that road again. It really is a shame because they had a great thing going in 2009.
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Andrew Zaker of Chicago, IL writes:
Wednesday, December 21, 2011RE: New Texas patrol boat – I have fished Amistad a few times the last several years without ever feeling in danger. With the added water patrol, those who are skeptical should really reconsider. The border lakes are great fisheries.
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Jonny Schultz of Little Rock, AR writes:
Wednesday, December 21, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – What a loss – prayers go out to his family. The last time I spoke with Mr. Murski he told me, "Keep at it, young man, this is a fine industry!" It was my honor to have known him.
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Walter M. Oppelt of Frankfort, IN writes:
Wednesday, December 21, 2011RE: U.S. Open cheater fined – How in the sandhill can you go from a B felony to two misdemeanors? Does the prosecutor hate fishing? Maybe as a kid, he couldn't stand to put a live worm on a hook to go bream fishing. I'll bet he cant even swim.
Witness testimony was going to be heard. In this day and age it sure seems like the bad guys are doing all of the winning. Come on, man!
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Eric Carruthers of Campbell Hill, IL writes:
Wednesday, December 21, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – I never met Mr. Murski, but I knew who he was through Denny Brauer. I coach a Schoolastic Trap Shooting team and Ray helped with a sponsorship to keep our team shooting. I also admired his love of deer hunting. What a great guy. Thanks again, Ray.
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Jack McGee of Madison, WI writes:
Tuesday, December 20, 2011J.T. Kenney just a kid making 40K? Really? That's about in line with women's professional bowling.
B.A.S.S. and FLW, can we please get with the times and pay our professional athletes a living wage?
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Tom Shockley of Shreveport, LA writes:
Tuesday, December 20, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies - "Ramblin' Ray," a friend of 40-plus years. Rest in peace, my friend. You will surely be missed, but never forgotten.
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Danny Blandford of Tell City, IN writes:
Tuesday, December 20, 2011RE: Ray Murski dies – I was fortunate to have a few opportunities to meet and speak with Mr. Murski. The casual angler probably won't know what our industry lost, but those who had the opportunity to know him certainly will. We will start 2012 with one fewer icon in the world of bassin'. Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family.
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Scott McLamb of LaGrange, GA writes:
Tuesday, December 20, 2011RE: Open cheater fined – As is the case with our judicial system all over, "Where is the penalty?" A $1,000 fine is a slap on the wrist compared to what he has pocketed. Has he learned his lesson? I sure don't want to compete against him to find out.
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Martin D. Lamb of Clinton, IA writes:
Monday, December 19, 2011RE: B.A.S.S.' direction – It is not that we expect the orginazation to be perfect, we just expect something. There is absolutely nothing being done at the Federation level. I have been attempting to find a Federation Nation club since moving to Iowa a year ago now. The extent of the assistance I have received is direction to the website, which has nothing.
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Robert Vogelsang of Jessup, MD writes:
Monday, December 19, 2011Major League Fishing was supposed to attract new and casual fans to bass fishing. Having the first event be available as a pay-per-view on the Internet seems to dicredit that claim. How are new or casual fans supposed to find out about the show, since they would not be familiar with fishing Internet sites?
MLF is a good idea going in the wrong direction because of poor leadership.
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Jeff Sullivan of Frostproof, Florida writes:
Monday, December 19, 2011I continually read on here people bashing B.A.S.S. and Jerry McKinnis and the slightly more silent owners. I don't understand how anyone could expect a perfectly run organization anywhere, much less after just over a year with the change of ownership, some personnel, moving their location and everything that is associated with it. I have never witnessed a large group of any kind be led by leadership perfectly. Not hardly any small groups even.
Hopes and dreams for the future were told and as big as we are, as much as there is to work on, it is a very large task.
I think most go back to the one bad incident as to why they are upset. B.A.S.S. didn't know about it at the event and the end result is they did all they legally could do to fix it. I guess the winnings is a sticky point, but one word against another after the event was not enough to take that cash back, as in the end the court system would have allowed him to keep it.
I guess what I am asking for here is to give B.A.S.S. time to do as what was told about the future plans. Rome wasn't built overnight.
I am proud of my B.A.S.S. membership and support them and I support Jerry and I hope you are doing well now.
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John Dell of Lake City, FL writes:
Monday, December 19, 2011RE: MLF sneak peek – Wow, Rucks is getting it done. We have not seen those kinds of companies in the sport since ESPN first got involved in B.A.S.S. Great news and the new future of the sport.
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Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:
Monday, December 19, 2011I used to have a friend who had a favorite comment about some people. He would say, "He ain't got enough sense to throw a fit." I was reminded of that yesterday while watching the Toyota Texas Bass Classic TV show with Ike losing the championship fish-off.
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Debbie Paris of Las Vegas, NV & Na'alehu, HI writes:
Thursday, December 15, 2011RE: Sonar Sound-Of – You write well. You are an excellent fisherman. Cannot wait until you try cliff fishing off South Point Big Island. I enjoy all your articles. Keep enjoying your life. Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous 2012.
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Mike Bingham of Brandon, MS. writes:
Thursday, December 15, 2011I was lucky enough to sit on the porch of the Lunker Lodge and spend some time with Jack Wingate in 1992. He treated me like I was his best friend and I'll remember him as a special man and a great supporter of all outdoor activities. I'll bet that everyone who met him felt just like me.
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Mark Menendez of Paducah, KY writes:
Wednesday, December 14, 2011RE: Wingate photo tribute – Jack was always kind to this flatlander from Kentucky. His love of Lake Seminole will never be forgotten. He was a fishing legend. The legend will be with all who fish on Lake Seminole.
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John Dell of Lake City, FL writes:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011RE: Rucks' new role – At least Don Rucks is putting the work behind the message. Jerry McKinnis is such a major disappointment to the entire fishing community. Where are all the promises? Federation changes, caring for the everyday angler and all the new sponsors? All talk.
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Ivan Sanchez of Greenwood, IN writes:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011It has been more than 1 year since Jerry McKinnis and Co. purchased B.A.S.S. I recall promises (apparently hollow) to rebuild the Federation, focus on conservation and attract non-endemic sponsors. Where is the progress on any of these fronts?
Sure, the website devotes more space to B.A.S.S.' conservation efforts, but where is the grassroots effort that was to be rekindled? Where are the sponsors? If ESPN wasn't turning a profit and the sponsor lineup hasn't changed, what does the bottom line look like now?
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Tom Murphy of Richland, MO writes:
Sunday, December 11, 2011Jack Wingate will be missed by all. When I was a young CPT stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., I met Jack while fishing a Military Bass Anglers championship. What a true historian of the sport. I could spend hours just talking with Jack and listening to his stories.
God got himself one hell of a guardian angel for us bass fishermen.
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Dave and Anne Lefebre of Erie, PA writes:
Friday, December 9, 2011Our hearts and prayers are with the Hibdon family.
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Alan Piacentine of Dallas, GA writes:
Friday, December 9, 2011I remember when I was a young boy and I met Jack Wingate at his lodge on a family fishing trip and it was a huge deal to me. R.I.P., Mr. Wingate, and God bless his family in these sad times. Thanks for all you did for this sport!
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Miles Burghoff of Orlando, FL writes:
Friday, December 9, 2011RE: Jill Hibdon killed – What a horrible tragedy. I've only met the Hibdon clan in passing, but I can honestly and without hesitation say that they are a truly great group of people. My heart goes out to them.
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Scott Wall of Millbrook, AL writes:
Friday, December 9, 2011Just curious. Now that ESPN has removed itself, somewhat embarassingly, from the outdoor industry, and more particularly B.A.S.S., is anyone going to come out with a piece on what "really" went down between ESPN and B.A.S.S.? It was a bad marriage that lasted for nearly 10 years and produced several notable moments.
Unfortunately at the time, in order to continue to be in good graces as a journalist or reporter with ESPN, it required you to overlook the truth and make up glorified stories on how great they were. Now that there is no affiliation with this media conglomerate, will a reporter or sportswriter dare go back and tell the details of what really caused B.A.S.S. to flounder from a near $40 million company to potentialy half that in a very short period of time?
ESPN touted that they would revolutionize bass fishing and take it to the "next level" with multi-million dollars sponsors and untold riches for the anglers. But, 10 years later and B.A.S.S. is smaller and less significant than it was in the '70s. I wonder when someone is going to step forward and tell the "real story"? There may not be another story in sports more compelling than the complete mismanagement and lack of understanding of the industry that ESPN showed when it purchased BASS.
ESPN will certainly never admit failure, so it's up to someone else to call them on it. Otherwise you can just keep believing what you read in the paper.
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Scott Garrison of Torrington, CT writes:
Friday, December 9, 2011RE: Baksay's comeback – I have known Terry for some time now. He is a dedicated fisherman who goes the extra mile. I started sponsoring Terry 4 years ago and my buisness has just about doubled. He is dedicated to his sponsors.
Whenever I see Terry before a tournament, he has some kind of bait or product in his hand and he is talking to someone about it. Terry I'm glad that you're doing better and that you're cancer-free! I hope that you have a great 2012 season and best of luck.
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Tim Peek of Sharpsburg, GA writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011I received my new FLW Bass magazine today. These guys finally got it right. FLW Outdoors is a great organization, but has been lacking when it came to their monthly magazine. Not any more ... looks great and is very informative. All we really want to know is who is doing what and how. Keep up the good work and I will be back out there as soon as I get my 14-year-old out of school.
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Mark Peiser of Pittsboro, IN writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011I hate to hear Jack has passed away. I was just thinking of him the other day and wondering how he was doing. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet Jack and spend a little time talking with him. I would have loved to have spent some time with him on the water ... I tried.
My prayers go out for him and his family. The lodge won't seem the same, but Jack's legend will always be there.
Godspeed Jack. You were truly one of the good guys.
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Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011The fishing world lost a pioneer with the passing of Jack Wingate. He was a key figure in starting B.A.S.S. and helping it grow, he always had time for everyone who needed any help.
We will miss ol' Jack.
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John Hempel of Brownstown, MI writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011I fish around the country and every state I fish in, the first thing that I do is check their regulations. I micro-check now that I have taken the A-Rig in Ontario and was stopped by a fish and wildlife agent.
He saw that I had the A-Rig tied on and asked me if I knew how many hooks I can use in Canadian waters. I told him I didn't know and that was why I was not throwing it. He quickly informed me that you can only use four hooks and that he would have confiscated everything on my boat and I'd have gotten a hefty fine and maybe not been able to fish Canadian waters, so I suggest that all anglers check with the DNR in the state they are going to be fishing. They all agree to disagree with the surronding states
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Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011RE: Fishing regulations: I agree with others that you should know the fishing regulations of the waters that you are fishing, so everyone should read up before wetting a line. If you are on a lake, like several we all know, that borders one or more states, then you must read the regulations for all these states as the waters do not have signs telling you what state you are always in.
In Tennessee you can go online and read the 2011 Fishing Regulations, if you can navigate the website and get past all the paid ads. You will first notice that Tennessee has 48 pages for you to read. If you read far enough, you will find certain lakes and streams where you can only use a lure with one hook, which pretty much eliminates the A-Rig. You will also learn that some regulations only apply on certain days of the year, so you will also need a calendar.
Now if you are concerned about using the A-Rig in Tennessee, here's where you will find that regulation. Look in Section XIV and scroll down to: E. Umbrella Rig Regulation --"Umbrella rigs are defined as an array of more than three artifical lures or baits (with or without hooks) used by a single rod and reel combination. If the hook size is 6 or larger, then only one lure or bait may have a hook and that hook must be a single hook."
I'm not sure what (with or without hooks) means in this regulation. If there's no hooks, is it a lure or bait?
In a Tennessee news release clarifying the umbrella regulations dated Oct. 27, the following was included: Each blade of a spinnerbait would be considered a lure. Figure that one out.
If you wanted to fish Guntersville and Kentucky Lake and then hop over to Toledo Bend, you would only have to read all the regulations for Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas and Louisiana to see if you need to take along your A-Rig.
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Allan Bridgford Jr of Chicago, IL writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011BassFan does an awesome job - I'm on the site every morning. But I have one issue and it's not unique to Bassfan: You write this great article about Tim Horton getting it done with a crankbait, and yet the picture on the front page shows Timmy holding a bass with a spinnerbait in its mouth. This happens time and again with every publication. Keep up the fine work.
BassFan says: BassFan, like other publications, has a limited number of photos of each angler to choose from, and many times there's not one available that matches the subject matter precisely.
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Tim Brown of Ridge Top, TN writes:
Thursday, December 8, 2011RE: A-Rig regulations – How about this one: I know of a lake (I think its Dale Hollow) that if you fish up a certain river during a certain time of the year, you can only use baits with single hooks. How would any angler know this if they did not read the state's regulations to find this out? So I say, yes, if you are fishing in unfamiliar waters, do your research to keep yourself out of trouble.
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David Gregg of Palestine, TX writes:
Wednesday, December 7, 2011RE: Baksay's comeback – Terry, we wish you the very best. Our prayers have been with you and we are glad you have recovered so well. Hope you have great success. We are all proud of you and for you.
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Bob Adams of Blooming Valley, PA writes:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011RE: Sharp on the A-Rig – In 1970, B.A.S.S. filed lawsuits under the 1899 Refuse Act naming over 200 polluters ranging from laundromats to large industries. That same year, it apparently hired one Harold Sharp to organize a national seminar tour. How could Mr. Sharp work for an organization that sought to hinder free commerce through environmental litigation? Shouldn't polluters be entitled to use water resources as they see fit, just like fishermen?
Rules, regulations and laws are such a waste. I say spray your Alabama Rigs with gasoline, toss 'em out with your $500 rods and reels and go have a good time!
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Paul Bagby of Dalton, GA writes:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011RE: Menendez links with Line Rite – I have this product and also the new tackle label system and it makes it a lot easier to keep organized. Worth the small investment.
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Steve Streeter of Monroe, LA writes:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011RE: Sharp on the A-Rig – Harold, the state of Louisiana does not have a length limit on bass unless you are in a quality lake that is on the state roster. We have length-limits on lakes that border the state of Texas. That is because Texas would not agree to having one side of the lake with a length limit and the other side of the lake not having one. So here you can keep any length of bass as long as you're not on any of the special lakes.
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Bill McDonaugh of Thorndale, PA writes:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011RE: Sharp on the A-Rig – Harold, in your post you said, "Once again, I ask all who knew the A-Rig was illegal in Tennessee before Paul Elias' win at Guntersville, hold up your hand".
A better question would have been "All who had ever heard of an A-Rig before Paul Elias won at
Guntersiville, hold up your hand."The angler should know the rules and regs in the state they plan on fishing.
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Martin Danny Lamb of Clinton, IA writes:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011RE: Sharp on the A-Rig – So then we should be able to fish with trawl nets as long as we only keep five? Might as well legalize dynamite and fish traps as well, just throw all but five back. Another thing that confuses me is that you feel the states shouldn't tell an angler what they fish with, but when you were at B.A.S.S. there were restrictions in place that you enforced. I guess you feel B.A.S.S. should tell anglers what to fish with but the states shouldn't?
I will admit I did not know if the Alabama Rig was legal or not in Tennessee before Elias won with it, but I will also wager two other things: No. 1 – Myself or any other angler does not know the specific traffic laws for all the highways in Tennessee. No. 2 – We'd better know what they are before we drive there.
See, if I was fishing in Tennessee, I would have enough foresight to contact the Tennessee DNR to get clarification on the rule.
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Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:
Monday, December 5, 2011Some question the point I'm trying to make with comments concerning the A-Rig. Maybe this will help.
Hold up your hand if you knew the A-Rig was illegal to fish in Tennessee unless it was with three hooks or fewer? Did Andy Poss know that when he invented it and marketed it? Paul Elias had planned to fish it in the Tennessee section of Guntersville, so I read. Elias is credited with the coming-out party for the A-Rig with his win at Guntersville. The ensuing PR concerning this win and that the A-Rig was illegal in Tennessee with more than three hooks probally kept many from a ticket the following week on the Tennessee half of Kentucky lake.
Some suggest that anglers should read all the state regulations before fishing in that state. I contacted officials in TN about whether the A-Rig was illegal and got referred to other officials for the answer because some were not sure just how to answer that. So if the people who write the regulations are not always, sure how can anglers keep up with all the regulations?
My point is and has always been that states should not control what you fish because it effects what you can catch. States all have daily creel limits, length limits, seasons and off-limits that will always control what you can remove from the waters, but they should not be controlling what you can catch or what you can fish with.
Once again, I ask all that knew the A-Rig was illegal in Tennessee before Paul Elias' win at Guntersville, hold up your hand.
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Marty Robinson of Rochester, NY writes:
Sunday, December 4, 2011Not sure I understand what Harold Sharp's point is. Quoting his last paragraph: "Here's something else to think about: B.A.S.S. has an article about a new lure designed in Japan that costs $400, plus you need a special rod to cast it, which costs another $600. So what if you invest $1,000 in this rig and later discover it's illegal in some states because the lure is 12 inches long and weighs 10 ounces? If states can control the number of hooks, they can control the length and weight of lures. Think about where this is heading."
First of all, if someone spends $1,000 for a rod-lure combo without checking its legality where they plan to fish, that's their problem. Even if they use more conventional equipment, they still need to read the regulations in every state that they plan to fish.
Yes, states can control the number of hooks and they could control the length and weight of lures if they so desire. Each state has its own regulations based on what they feel is best for their fisheries, even though many anglers don't like all of the rules. Mr. Sharp asks us to think about where this is heading.
What's the alternative? Federalize fishing regulations? Let the inmates run the asylum and have B.A.S.S. and FLW make the regulations? If he doesn't like the states making their own regulations, I'd like to hear his suggestions for a better system.
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Martin Danny Lamb of Clinton, IA writes:
Saturday, December 3, 2011Although I respect Harold Sharp greatly, he is really beginning to reach on this A-Rig issue. Harold, does Ford notify car buyers to drive the speed limit or that those limits vary by city/state?
Those laws are in place for a reason, like it or not. You keep comparing apples to oranges. A treble is one hook, period. Yes, some baits have more than one set of these trebles, but the hard truth is that for the vast majority, once a fish hits it is very difficult for another to bite the same bait. A crankbait is one "bait" with one to three hooks attached. The A-Rig, in contrast, is a "harness" which attaches five "baits" (not just hooks) to one line.
And to suggest not fishing a state because one bait is not legal is just ludicrous. Let me ask this: Do you agree with length limits? Why do they make sense? After all, five fish is five fish, as you put it.
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Bill McDonaugh of Thorndale, PA writes:
Saturday, December 3, 2011RE: Alabama Rig – Harold, the states already have rules about what you can use to catch fish and I have not read about any changes since the use of the A-Rig became so popular. Mann’s knew this when they purchased the A-Rig and were willing to take the chance to make some money.
The treble hook has always been considered one hook and I didn’t see anything where any state is considering a change in that law. When you purchase a lure with treble hooks, you are still purchasing a single lure. No matter how you look at the A-Rig, you have the chance to use five different lures at the same time.
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Harold Sharp of Hixson, TN writes:
Friday, December 2, 2011RE: Alabama Rig – Many states have rules or regulations that effect the use of the A-Rig in that state, unless it's modified. Mann's Bait Company just purchased the A-Rig for marketing and sales. Should Mann's notify the buyer that it may be illegal in some states?
B.A.S.S. and FLW rules both state that you must obey all state laws and regulations. Should BASS and FLW notify all tournament contestants that the A-Rig may be illegal in a tournament on waters that border such states, such as Tennessee and others? If you use the A-Rig in Tennessee with more than three hooks you are subject to a fine from Tennessee and a DQ from B.A.S.S. or FLW.
The regulations in some states concerning hooks is that a treble hook is considered one hook, even though it's made from a double hook with a single without an eye welded on. This is still three hooks with three barbs, yet they state it is only one hook. Some lures have three sets of treble hooks, total nine points and barbs. Suppose someone marketed a lure with five sets of trebles – would it be legal? That's the same number of hooks you can add to the A-Rig.
I remember casting a Little N that had two sets of treble hooks into a school of shad minnows. When I got it back it had eight shad minnows impaled on the hooks. They were only 1 inch long, but I did catch eight fish on a single cast.
States should not be in control of lure designs. Mann's invested in a new lure that could be illegal in some states that already control how many fish you can keep. They are also controlling how many you can catch. Should B.A.S.S. and FLW take a second look at tournaments in these states? Should anglers take a second look at traveling to these states to fish? All states are looking for more money, why run off people who are willing to spend some in their state when they have rules to control how many fish you can remove from the water?
Here's something else to think about: B.A.S.S. has an article about a new lure designed in Japan that costs $400, plus you need a special rod to cast it, which costs another $600. So what if you invest $1,000 in this rig and later discover it's illegal in some states because the lure is 12 inches long and weighs 10 ounces? If states can control the number of hooks, they can control the
length and weight of lures. Think about where this is heading.
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December 2011
Dock Talk
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