Homemade quick strke rigs

[Will]

Does anybody use homemade quick strike rigs? I have been making my own for years using a treble hook, a bead and a spinner blade. I know someone who just got a ticket using the same set-up. I looked at rigs sold everywhere, i guess that does not make them legal to use. Most retalers sell deer bait as well. I would appreciate any insight.

--------Will

[Mike Stark]

i use em...but i thought as long as you had a bead and a blade you were good.

[harvey lee]

Yes, thats my understanding,. I do believe it depends on who stops and checks you.

Its not right but I do believe it happens.

I would tell your friend to call the DNR and ask why his set up is not legal.

[Will]

So, i have 4ft of mono, a spinner, a bead and a treble. Legal, right? Or is it a length issue?

[candiru]

My understanding is that the spinner needs to be within 3" of the treble.

[motley man]

I think you are right that it has to be 3" from hook.

[Will]

Permanently affixed 3" from the hook? Mine are not, gravity keeps them there.

[KyleM.]

i had the same problem salmon fishing in the river, dnr didn't believe in the gravity, which would take common sense, was checked 5 times before, just that one guy had an issue. took it to court, jury trial and everything and won.

in the future fyi, it's easier to make it permanent, then you have a more solid argument.

[Will]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you do it? I suppose i could pinch on a fly fishing split shot.

[SteveD]

Does anybody use homemade quick strike rigs? I have been making my own for years using a treble hook, a bead and a spinner blade. I know someone who just got a ticket using the same set-up. I looked at rigs sold everywhere, i guess that does not make them legal to use. Most retalers sell deer bait as well. I would appreciate any insight.

--------Will

We had this same discussion on the Catfish forum this summer. I use a 2 hook rig for catfishing and the question arose as to if this is legal or not. Merkman sent an e-mail to the Minnesota DNR and this is the reply he received from Pat Watts at the DNR Enforcement Division:

From: Pat Watts <>

To: merkman <>

Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 9:44:38 AM

Subject: Re: Legal or illegal?

You are correct that the current statute language would not allow either rig to be used. However, these are fairly common configurations used for angling that are generally not causing problems.

With that in mind, DNR started a permanent rule package in process in about 2006 that would clearly allow up to three single or multiple hooks that are either inserted into live bait or within three inches of the live bait. Only one live bait could be used on a line. Live bait would include bait that is alive, dead, or preserved. That rule package would also allow one additional single or multiple hook when the additional hook is within three inches of an artificial bait. Artificial bait would include jigs, artificial flies, and flashing spoons. Quick strike rigs and stinger hook arrangements meeting these requirements could be used.

Originally, we thought that rule change would be completed in 2007, but some of the changes in the rule package have been more controversial than originally anticipated, and is taking more time to get through all the legal processes.

While this 3-inch rule language has not yet been adopted, it is a standard that our officers have been working with in the interim, and is acceptable for anglers to use.

One other comment - I cannot tell for sure how large the bullhead is in the photo that was attached to your email, but bullheads that are used for bait cannot be over seven inches long (legal definition of a minnow). The hitch comes in when transporting live bullheads that are over seven inches. There will likely be some changes that allow some limited transportation of the larger bullheads for use as bait in the rule package I mentioned above, but I am not certain of the details at this point in time. If you catch bullheads in the same body of water you are fishing and do not remove them from the water body, that should be okay.

Pat Watts, DNR Enforcement Division, St Paul MN

Note Pat Watts comment near the end of the e-mail:

While this 3-inch rule language has not yet been adopted, it is a standard that our officers have been working with in the interim, and is acceptable for anglers to use. As you can see from the comment a quick strike rig is acceptable for anglers to use.

[KyleM.]

something that's more permanent than a split shot may be your answer

you can make it like a spinner rig, use light wire and a loop at the top which you tie onto your leader or. I've also seen people crimp a leader sleeve above your spinner within your 3 inch limit and you'd be good to go.

[broken_line]

i have never been asked to lift my lines while being checked

[merkman]

Thanks for posting that SteveD!!!

[Will]

Thanks everyone for the info.

-----Will

[Jim Almquist]

something that's more permanent than a split shot may be your answer

you can make it like a spinner rig, use light wire and a loop at the top which you tie onto your leader or. I've also seen people crimp a leader sleeve above your spinner within your 3 inch limit and you'd be good to go.

You could always put a slip knot on and cinch it in place and this way you would weaken the line.

[Ringtailhunter]

I use a very small swivel to keep them in place {just above the blade and beads}. Helps keep the line from twisting too.