Tennessee Rig!
 

For about 5 bucks and a trip to lowes I made my own Tennessee rig, I also made some Alabama Rigs to use in Ala and Ky. Beats $18.00 or $19.00.

According to BASS those are illegal in Tennessee, did something change?

Very nice job........

The YouTube video Rick McFerrin posted a link to in his new thread gives a definitive answer on the Tn/Alabama/umbrella rig confusion about what's legal/illegal and why.


Chris

The five wire rig aka Alabama rig is illegal in Tn. The three wire three bait is legal in Tn. If anyone wants one of these I will make you one for $10.00 plus shipping!

I just watched that other video and it clarifies everything, sorry for the confusion on my end

Incase someone see's this but not the video link. You can use the Alabama Rig in TN. You can only have 3 baits with hooks on it total and the other two wires have to be bare or use the center wire with a hook then the others have to be baits without hooks.

I hope TWRA looks at revising their restrictions in this area, because the whole thing is more confusing than it ought to be.

The original concern was umbrella rigs with multiple baits catching multiple stripers at a time.

Since that's the case, the "three hook maximum" ought to be the beginning and end of the regulation, in my opinion. In other words, I think it goes beyond what's necessary to prohibit a rig that has 3 hooks and 2 dummy lures.

If you limit the number of hooks, you limit the number of fish you can catch at any given time, regardless of the number of dummy baits.

bd

I agree, bd, although I think limiting the total number of baits, dummy or otherwise, to 3 makes it easier for field officers to check the rigs since they don't have to look for hooks, just baits. An example would be using 5 Storm swim shads with 2 of the baits having clipped hooks...a close inspection would be needed whereas 3 baits can be verified from a distance. Of course, this is just my opinion.

I have a question, though. Do sabiki/piscator rigs fall into the umbrella rig regulation ? I use them, mostly with size 8-6 hooks, but have seen some with hooks up to size 2. Also, if you rig up multiple lures, like flies or tx-rigged soft plastic jerk baits on droppers, would the current regulations limit you to no more than 3 ?


Chris

I think they will revise it this year. It just happens to be on the books this way now and they have to go by it until its amended or completely changed.

If you use 3 crankbaits there are quite a few hooks. But since they describe a "bait" as (1) being how it came out of the package regardless of it's number of hooks thats legal.

As the year goes on look for it to change probably next spring.

I have even seen a "fly" version with 5 arms and non-weighted wooly buggers. Supposed it works really well and can be casted relatively easy. Hard to imagine though.

I have never thrown that rig but it seems like you would have to have a broomstick for a rod and heavy line. I fish for hybrids with 10 lb line and a 7 foot medium fast action rod. Have yet to have 1 break off if your drag is set right. I know some people will say that puts more stress on the fish but that is what makes it fun for me. There is a video on You Tube from Kevin Van Dam about using a 2 bait fluke rig I may try but really not interested in the umbrella rig. If the fish are there I prefer to catch them one at a time. JMO

I don't think so due to what I said just previously. They way it is defined is how the bait is packaged. If it is 5 jigs in a single sabiki package then its considered (1) bait. As opposed to taking a jig then tying off of the shank adding a jig then it becomes (2) baits.

That is why I believe it will get changed to be more clearer next spring.

Thanks, I remember that being said in the vid now. I'm starting to warm up to the AL rig, but still can't quite bring myself to wanting to cast something so odd-looking...hard to argue with its' effectiveness, though.


Chris

I agree on its success but I won't ever fish with it. Just a personal preference.

Here is a video that is a must watch if you are interested in using it. This guy from the Everstart series breaks it down and gives his take be ways to fish it but also warns from taking what anyone says as absolute truth on how to fish it because its so new.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWWB3pFYCQg

I'm not sure that packaging would save you with a sabiki rig, since it's basically multiple "lures" joined by a monofilament leader. If packaging was the end of the story, you could just package a complete umbrella rig and loophole the law.

The reason sabiki rigs are legal is that the Rule only prohibits multiple rigs with hooks size 6 or larger. Most sabiki rigs have hooks that are smaller than a #6.

If you're using a sabiki rig with hooks that are #6 or larger, I think you could get into trouble if you've got more than 3 "lures" on your rig.

As far as rigging up multiple flies or jerk baits, you are limited to three unless you use hooks smaller than #6.

bd

Someone may have poted this before. I like this rig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F21S...yer_detailpage

Here is a link to the TWRA's clarification on Alabama rigs. Seems even in this thread there is some confusion (at least for me anyways), the article linked below seems to be pretty straightforward.

http://news.tn.gov/node/7994

Care to elaborate? They look like they would be fairly easy to make, you might not have the fancy painted head and everything, but the concept seems fairly simple.

Great link Travis. I must admit is was a nice piece of filming...opinion....explanation. Enjoyed watching it. Those that know me know that I won't....can't use that. Two # test line couldn't even cast the thing...LOL. Having been laid up and watching nine to 10 hours of fishing shows a day I have seen a lot about this. A lot of these guys are using 65# to 80# test braid. I don't see how you would keep from wearing yourself out with the thing. Having fished the Red Sea and Persian Gulf for over 20 years I can tell you that it is nice to catch stocker trout and bluegill. We would just get cramps from casting one to four ounce baits all night or day. I am sure the BASS guys are going to use this thing wherever it is legal. Years ago I saw a lot of the umbrella rigs used at Pickwick fishing for Stripers. Never did see one of those being used from the bank though. I am sure it might have been done but I was there a lot and I saw them out in the boats..but never from the bank. I have fished two jigs at once when the White Bass run at Pickwick and many times have caught 30 fish in 15 casts. But sometimes it is not any fun. If the two fish are fighting away from each other you sometimes would just be reeling in dead weight. I must admit it is interesting to see how it plays out and also what it says about the behavior of feeding fish.


Regards

Wire is from Marker flags (Lowes) For the head I used JB weld Water Weld putty.

Thanks, I think I will give it a shot, I got one coming in the mail. I may be ordering some bulk. Is the flag wire pretty easy to bend to add the swivels or do I need to get a wire bender? Some of the ones I was looking at you have to add the swivels yourself and they said you would probably need a wire bender.

Yeah they bend fairly easy, I just use needle noes pliers.

Here is one my homemade version.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i...0/IMG_0227.JPG

Mine is like Tennesseejuggers. Flag wire from lowes plus crimped aluminum ferrules to hold it together.

I have made about a dozen different versions to see what ends up working best. Plus I sent a bunch to friends across the country for Christmas gifts :)

They are a beast to cast, but heavy striper tackle works fine. No fish for me yet, but I haven't been fishing very much recently.

I had to try it to see what the excitement was all about.

Jim

That is nice, Jim. I am hoping to try mine out early this week, I will let you guys know how it goes. I will be on Priest. Anyone know where the shad are at? I normally fish the south end of the lake.