Tip-up hooks

[harvey lee]

I have two tip-up harnesses for northern fishing.It starts with a loop to tie the line on,then has two leader approx 3 inches long with a little spinner and a treble on each one.So,it has 2 trebles and im wondering if this is legal? Thanks-Tom

[Scott M]

I've been wondering about this too. The only way to know is to email the local CO. But the law says:

Quote:

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Anglers may use only one hook. A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered three hooks and is not legal. The exception is three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

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I think that because there is so much circularity, they don't define an artificial lure, which leaves it up to the courts. I have seen the HT tackle tip up rigs they sell with the beads and spinners, but honestly, do you think that that is an artificial lure? I don't. The fish are interested in the bait, not the artificial lure. On the other side, tip up fishing has always been to catch toothy pike. Without that treble hook, you can miss a lot of fish. So I say fish it, it would get thrown out in courts. Or better yet, ask a CO.

[RK]

Hiya,

If it has a spinner blade within 2" of any of the hooks, it's a lure. That's all you really need to be legal. I've gone pretty high up the ladder in the DNR to get clarification on this, and that is pretty much the accepted answer. I've been checked using these rigs a number of times, and never been gigged.

This particular rule is something I've been trying to get changed. One of the benifits of buying ink by the barrel is that soap box rants do work on occasion. It really is an archaic law. Whatever its intent was or is, it in effect makes the most fish friendly rig there is - quick strikes - illegal in MN without the addition of a spinner that has no effect whatsoever on the rig's function. Other than the HT rigs, most off the shelf quick strikes are technically not legal in MN, especially those sold for muskies in the fall. Meanwhile, Swedish smelt hooks and single hook sucker rigs, which are flat-out fish killers, are perfectly legal. It's a case of utter statutory idiocy...

Uhh...other than that I don't have any strong feelings on the matter

Cheers,

RK

[Random guy]

Ok who got RK going?

Good points RK. The singe hook issue is ugly, even after much research and debate single hook bait rigs are legal and do kill fish. Some refinement is needed on what is and what is not legal on livebait rigs.

[harvey lee]

Thanks Guys.

[mtreno]

going to put this back out. the only way to not kill fish is a circle hook. the multiple hook rigs can be just as deadly and even more deadly on larger fish. plus they can be alot of work to remove if the fish rolls on you. also when you have a large fish and you have to reach down the hole to turn the head to get them up - well i feel better knowing there is only one hook versus 6.

just my thoughts - i have been very happy with circle hooks sense i started using them there just hard to find in none catfish sizes.

not trying to stir the pot just giving my thoughts on what works well for me

[Walleye Guy]

I certainly think circle hooks have their merits. However a treble hook based quick strike rig is generally not a fish killer in my opinion. The key is "quike strike". Letting a fish run until they stop with either a single hook or treble hook is trouble in my opinion. When deploying a treble hook set-up (single or multiple) the key is to set he hook as soon as possible. When I have done this I have had very few fish were I have had a hook-up that is deeper than I want (no blood or gills). This being said circle hooks are made to be driven into the corner of the mouth and I realize that even quickly set trebles can end up in he gills periodically.

If you are conscious of our flags and react quickly I don't think you can go wrong wih either QS rigs or circles. Just remember the "set" is distinctly different in each situation.

WG

[mtreno]

good point walleye guy. any hook will be trouble when you leave your flag flyin in the wind for 10 minutes cause your not watching them as close as you should be......

[hogsucker]

Circle hooks work very well on tipups for all species. Mtreno, more and more hook manufacturers are realizing the effectiveness of circle hooks for bait-fishing, and are coming out with new models and more sizes. Eagle Claw makes a beauty of a circle hook down to a size 12. Mustad also makes some smaller models as well. These models are also much more of a "true circle" than the Gamakatsus which are just modified J-hooks. They work better. ~hogsucker

[mtreno]

i like the eagle claws when i can find them. prior lake bait had some in bleeding red and i bought them out. thats my top choice and will find them again when i run out.