Double drop shot rig

[lotsofish]

With the new fishing rules this year that allow you to use multiple hooks, I experimented last night with something I've always wanted to try. Two hooks on a drop shot rig using different baits. I used a nightcrawler on the bottom hook and a gulp alive 1" grub on the top hook, targeting bluegills. The fishing was pretty hot anyway, but I think it helped having two baits. Both caught fish, but the nightcrawler was 3 to 1 over the gulp. I should have reversed the baits to see if it had any effect.

[Dylan33]

I didn't know the rules had changed...So can i use my normal drop shot set up, but instead of a weight or sinker at the end, I can use a jig? that is legal now? hmmm....

[Lakeside_Nelson]

Actually in years past that has been allowed for trout and panfish, the main change this year is for the treble hooks. That said, I have had great success this year and last year with a dropshot rig with a tube/small jig on bottom and a single hook with a minnow/small plastic on top. I'm waiting for that crazy double hook up yet though! It it interesting to see the aggressiveness throughout the day on crappies. Sometimes they just inhale the tube, while other times they just barely take down the minnow.

[lotsofish]

If you are using plain hooks, you can have up to three and the first hook can be at most 9 inches from the last hook. A jig is considered an artificial lure. You can add an additional hook on an artificial now, but it must be within 3 inches. So you could use an additional hook on a jig, but it would have to be pretty close.

Nelson, the old rule only applied to fly fishing. You could (and still can) use up to 3 artificial flies while fishing for crappie, sunfish, trout, and rock bass.

[slipperybob]

I didn't read that we are allowed two distinct lures configuration...

[mainbutter]

Double drop shot rigs are not legal, and as far as the trout/panfish thing, you've gotta be using flies I believe.

[gooty]

I believe you are correct mainbutter. Can use up to "3 hooks on a single tackle config"...i think single is the key word there.

From regs:

Hooks, Lures and Tackle Configurations

Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiplepronged (example - treble) hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration

attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike

rig. See pictures on page 63). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be

used on designated trout streams and lakes.

- The total length of the single tackle configuration from the first hook to the

last hook must be nine inches or less.

- Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use

(see page 12).

- This single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure/

bait, and no additional hooks may be used. Adding a bead, blade, or

spinner does not make it into an artificial lure/bait.

• Artificial Lure/Bait. A single artificial lure/bait may contain more than one

hook (Example - a crankbait).

- An angler may have one additional single or multiple hook on a line as

part of the artificial lure/bait as long as it is within three inches of the

artificial lure/bait (Example - a stinger hook (often a treble hook) can be

trailed behind a jig).

- Note: An extra single or multiple hook is not allowed on artificial lures/

baits used on designated trout streams and lakes.

• Artificial Fly. Three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout,

crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

• Designated Trout Streams and Lakes. Other than 3 artificial flies or a

single artificial lure/bait, a tackle configuration with more than one single

hook is not allowed on designated trout streams and lakes

So if you want to fish with 2 or 3 "hooks", they have to be "artificial flies"

[lotsofish]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the new rules, but I don't see anywhere where it says a "single tackle configuration" can only contain one bait. Gooty, those are the new rules I am talking about. The way I read it, as long as the hooks are all within 9 inches, you can use any live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait.

I am going to email the DNR to find out for sure.

P.S. In case I am wrong, my daughter was with me and she was not fishing, so at least I would not have had more lines in the water than people in the boat...

[gooty]

Yeah they are confusing...Let us know what you find out.

I think the examples it gives as single tackle configs is the giveaway (quickstrike/Crawler harness).

Putting multiple jigs/baits on a line wouldn't constitute a single tackle configuration.

[lotsofish]

Fast response from the DNR. It is legal to use different baits on each hook in a single tackle configuration.

My email - This was sent to the general DNR contact email, [email protected].

I have a question regarding the new single tackle configuration rule that is found on page 9 of the 2012 MN fishing regulations.

If I am reading the rules correctly, Anglers may use up to three single (plain) hooks on a line, The total length of the single tackle configuration from the first hook to the last hook must be nine inches or less,and Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use.

This does not say that you cannot use different baits on each hook in a single tackle configuration. So for example, it would be legal for someone to fish with two hooks on a line 9 inches apart, and have a minnow on one hook and a worm on the other, correct?

Thank you for your time,

lotsofish

Their quick (one-line) reply

Yes, you could use two different baits on the different hooks.

[gooty]

Wow...interesting! Thanks.

So, whats the deal with this then?!?!? I'm even more confused

Umbrella Rig

[gooty]

SO, I was curious, and I called...I think I've got them as confused as I am now!

[lotsofish]

I specifically didn't mention "double drop shot rig" in the email because I didn't know if the person answering the emails would know what that meant. I think the most important part is the fact that different baits can be used on each hook in a single tackle configuration. Nobody is going to argue that a sinker below the hooks is part of a lure and a sinker above hooks is not.

Regarding the umbrella rig page. Yes I saw that before. The umbrella rig is wire (doesn't fit the on a line requirement) and each one of those hooks has a weight on it, actually making it a jig.

[slipperybob]

We are still looking at the technique behind the baiting of the hooks as a single tackle configuration or as separate tackle configuration. So potpori baiting seems to fall into the legal single tackle configuration. Looks like the three hook drop shot rig is gonna be a legal set up. No jigs.

[half-dutch]

All I see changed here is that trebles may now be used with live bait and that adding the bead or spinner blade to a muskie rig to enable the use of a treble on a "lure" is now also clarified and specifically defined as not a lure but a bait configuration for which there is now a specific defined limit. The regs are also now clear that stingers are legal.

I see no authorization of any more distinct baits than there ever was. In fact the key is single tackle configuration specifically for bait. As soon as you add a second distinct bait offering the way I read it is you have exceeded what is authorized, you have made the one into two single tackle configurations. I will stay with the single bait per line myself. That will certain remain safe and legal.

[metro fisherman]

If your using the 3 fly rig for trout/panfish is it legal to tip the flies with a grub? Theres so much grey area in regulations like this, i often wonder if its for more ticket income... Like when you add 2 beads and a spinner to a quick strike rig it becomes a lure and is now legal but 2 bear trebles is illegal...

[Lakeside_Nelson]

Oh, I guess I made a mistake in reading the regs then...I will just change to a plain hook instead. My bad, but what a grey area indeed.

[birchbranch]

Is there anybody out there that finds this concerning? With all the fishing pressure and increased knowledge of fishing,,, now we are going to potentially allow multiple fish to be caught on one line, while at the same time we are decreasing limits to protect our fisheries,,,,, or is it simply about making it more "fun" for people? I personally find this appalling.

[slipperybob]

If your using the 3 fly rig for trout/panfish is it legal to tip the flies with a grub? Theres so much grey area in regulations like this, i often wonder if its for more ticket income... Like when you add 2 beads and a spinner to a quick strike rig it becomes a lure and is now legal but 2 bear trebles is illegal...

From before, as told by more than one CO, that baiting an artificial fly no longers makes it, artificial. Now it's nothing more than a dressed hook, that's baited.

[masoct3]

I'm just not a big fan of having only 9 inches from each hook to another. When I dropshot in Colorado, I use one about 12 inches from the bottom on top of the sinker, and a second hook maybe 36 inches above the lower hook. Produces much more action.

If you are using plain hooks, you can have up to three and the first hook can be at most 9 inches from the last hook. A jig is considered an artificial lure. You can add an additional hook on an artificial now, but it must be within 3 inches. So you could use an additional hook on a jig, but it would have to be pretty close.

Nelson, the old rule only applied to fly fishing. You could (and still can) use up to 3 artificial flies while fishing for crappie, sunfish, trout, and rock bass.

[masoct3]

This is sold at sporting goods stores throughout the city, but it is ILLEGAL due to the type of setup it initializes.

Wow...interesting! Thanks.

So, whats the deal with this then?!?!? I'm even more confused

Umbrella Rig