Quick Stike Rigs in MN

[Down to Earth]

I was looking through the Minnesota fishing regs recently and noticed that the use of treble hooks when not on an artificial lure is deemed as three hooks and thus illegal. I called the DNR on the legality of quick strike sucker rigs for a rule interpretation and the actually had to look into it and call me back. Anyways come to find out the only way QSR are legal in Minnesota is if they have some type of spinner attached to them. Being fairly new to MN and musky fishing I thought this was interesting since I am from Wisconsin where they have a 3 line limit. I looked in my R&H catalog and there was a brand that had spinners on them. Personally I don't sucker fish for muskies, but thought I would pass along this information. Do you think this is something we need to look into and pursue to get all QSR legal in MN or just get the word out you need to put a spinner on them. Your thoughts? THanks.

Andy

[guideman]

Hey Andy,
There isn't any need to change the regs
in Minnesota, live bait sucker rigging for muskies, isn't to popular here.
Save the suckers for Wisconsin!

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Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
Ace guide service.
aceguideservice.com
218-753-2612
[email protected]

[maxx rpm]

I can go along with most regs, but this one is really dumb. It is illegal unless you have a spinner on it. The spinner does not even need to be functional or in proportion to the hooks, bait. If anyone has a legitimate reason for this rule i would like to hear what it could be. It is something that should be changed.

[Aquaman01]

Even if the reg didn't say so - I'd use a spinner. I don't Muskie fish, but I like Northerns, and I tie all my QSRs with a spinner. I get plenty of strikes on a slow retrieve and I'm pretty sure the hammered willow-leaf has something to do with it.

I also don't use a treble for the tail. I use a tandem hook (rubber frog hook) with a #8 aberdeen sharing the wire's loop. A dab of JB Weld bonds the shanks together. The #8 is less likely to work it's way into mr. sucker's swim bladder than a big fat treble.

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Aquaman
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Peace and Fishes

[SpikeRoberts]

The treble hook ban was implemented to faciltate enforcement of illegal snagging. The requirement of a spinner -- even if it is not necessarily functional -- is not really burdensome. There are many store brands of QSRs that are pre-rigged with spinners so they comply with MN law. If you make your own, the addition of a small spinner won't break the bank or create any extra work.

[Mr Special]

Aquaman01,
Sounds like you'll have to make some extra rigs and we'll have to go try them out next week. When I do used sucker to for northers or muskies I do think a QSR is the only way to go. Not only is it easier to hook the fish but less chance of gut hooking it.I love seeing those softball bobbers go under. Kind of like in JAWS when the shark tokes the barrels under.

Good luck everone this weekend

[Steve Foss]

I agree the spinner rule doesn't make sense on the surface, but makes sense because of the snagging issue. I tie my own QSRs, and you can buy those little pink see-through spinners by the score at bait/tackle stores for hardly any money. I don't think they turn pike off at all.

In fact, I've caught not a few walleyes on tipups with 6-inch suckers and the quick-strike rigs with the spinners on them.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]