Quick-strike rigs

[KrashR]

I'm heading up to LOTW for some end of the year tip-up fishing for some gators. I bought a few quick strike rigs and notice that the ones from Throne Brothers don't have any spinners on them, they do have two larger beads, but no spinner. Doesn't that make them illegal in MN, I'll probably just end up throwing some spinners on them, but since they have a swivel on the end I'll probably have to drill bigger holes in the spinner that are 1/8" big or so. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has bought these this year, so what have others done.

[Random guy]

This topic has been some debate for awhile. What is or what is not considered lure?

The best advice is to get the answer from the same person that is going ticket you if it is unlawful. Call your Conservation Officer and ask him or her directly. Then you will have the facts right from the source.

[KrashR]

Jon, I was hoping you would respond. I know this has been debated quite a bit. I'll try to call before I leave, but you can never be sure the CO you talk to is going to be the one that you see on the lake. Jon what do you do since I've seen you post about using these same rigs? Actually I'll call Thorne Brothers to see what they say.

[Random guy]

I have and use the Thorne Brothers rigs. The first chance I had I showed it to a warden and he gave me the thumbs up. Like you said that was one warden in one area. I would hate to say its ok then you get ticketed for a unlawful rig.

We do need to see some of the gray area fixed on that law. What upsets me about that certian law and how it reads is that it may create some confusion and maybe scare poeple into staying away from trebles and going to a single hook rig. Now we up the number of gut hooked fish.

Maybe it is a good idea to just toss a spinner on them to be safe, plus the extra color and flash can't hurt.

[RK]

Hiya -

I get on my soapbox about this topic fairly frequently. I've had some fairly long conversations about it with a variety of people inside the DNR, up to and including the head of the Fisheries section and the head of the Enforcement section.

The confusion you're having is the long and short of the problem from a practical point of view. It's a rule that's entirely reliant on interpretation. A rig that might pass muster with one CO will get you gigged by the next. The end result is a rig that is the single most fish friendly method of fishing large live or dead bait for pike or muskies is illegal - especially when guys are buying them off the shelf. It's stupid - period.

The DNR is aware that this is an issue. They're also aware of the high mortality rates of non quick strike rigged dead baits for pike. There was a study done in WI using the 'Swedish' hook that showed very high mortality among fish released using them. Mortality was over 33% after 24 hours...

I think there's a willingness on the DNR's part to address the issue. I'm something of a radical so i'd like to see mandatory quick strikes for any large live or dead baits for pike or muskies, but at least clarifying the law so a quick strike without an enturely superfluous spinner blade isn't an illegal rig would be a step in the right direction.

Bottom line though, from every CO I've ever asked, is that the best way to be sure you're legal is put a spinner blade on it.

Cheers,

RK