Treble hooks on Tip-ups

[fishinrush]

I have heard mixed reviews on putting treble hooks on tip-ups. I know they are productive, but a treble hook alone, is it legal. I read through the regs and the best I can come up with is there needs to be a spinner blade above the treble hook to make it legal. Thoughts?

[dukhnt]

there does have to be a spinner on them. I use ones with two treble hooks. Hook one in the head and one in the back. They work awesome.

[Bjjams]

A bead would also make it legal but yes a plain treble hook is considered to be three different hooks. I don't really understand the need for this regulation but rules are rules.

[hanson]

Do you guys want to get confused?

Read this thread in the Muskie-Pike Forum

Another QS Rig Question

Because of some terminology (definition of a lure) that has been rewritten in the last year, QS rigs under tip-ups are a No-No right now. However, it sounds like the wheels are spinning at the DNR right now to get this corrected.

Please read what Rob Kimm has to say in that thread. He has done some major investigation on this topic. Thanks Rob for helping us out on this matter.

[buzbunni]

Wow! Thanks hanson (and RK).

Now I don't know what to do. I guess I'll use circle hooks until this is clarified.

[Bjjams]

That's pretty much why I save my quickstrike rigs for North and South Dakota. This regulation has been obscure for quite a few years and I wonder why they are only now looking seriously into it. Last year when I was checked by a CO the subject came up and all I was told was to continue using a bead or blade with a single treble and I won't have anything to worry about.

[harvey lee]

Chris--I got a different answer from the DNR today. I called and asked them today if I could use a line with a bead and two treble hooks with blades on one rig and they said no problem at all. Just make sure that there is a spinner by each treble within 3 inches of it. I do plan on fishing with this set up.

[hanson]

Quote:

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Chris--I got a different answer from the DNR today. I called and asked them today if I could use a line with a bead and two treble hooks with blades on one rig and they said no problem at all. Just make sure that there is a spinner by each treble within 3 inches of it. I do plan on fishing with this set up.

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Tom- I'm not surprised you did.

The link I provided started because I was specifically told by a CO that he was instructed by DNR Fisheries to write citations for QS rig use this year. This was about a week and a half ago now.

As you know, RK has quite the reputation in the muskie fishing community and is highly respected. He's an avid supporter of QS rig use and has been digging to the bottom of the issue as it goes against everything that they've been pushing for.

If you read the link and his response, you'll find out that QS rigs as presently defined (or not defined) are illegal. They are working on getting that clarified now so they are not.

Your CO may (or may not) know that this is even an issue right now. And lets face it, all COs interpret the law & regulations slightly differently so while you may get the OK, I'm still fishing waters that are being patrolled by a CO that will ticket me for this.

[harvey lee]

Chris

This is what I was told from the enforcement office in St. Paul,Mn. today on the phone. Sounds to me like the DNR needs to get together on this one.

[PikeBayCommanche]

So what you are saying is the QS rigs I just got from Thorne Bros. are illegal for me to use????

I sure hope not.

[harvey lee]

Thats what I am hearing is the ones I bought from JB are also.

I have a call in to the chief enforcement dude's office at the DNR and they are calling back with a answer shortly in regards tio this matter.

[hanson]

Quote:

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So what you are saying is the QS rigs I just got from Thorne Bros. are illegal for me to use????

I sure hope not.

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Technically... Yes. Will they ticket you for it, I don't know?????

Your best bet is to call the CO that covers the area you plan on fishing.

I didn't mean to open up this can of worms but I had a CO tell me they were illegal so I asked the question here. Probably would have been better off to not ask the question but the DNR does not have their ducks in a row on this issue yet.

Best I can tell you is to read what Rob Kimm (RK) posted in the link I provided above. He has done more research on this than myself and has the accurate information.

[harvey lee]

No can of worms Chris. The DNR should be able to tell a fisherperson if they are or are not legal. This should not be left up to the local CO I dont believe. The DNR has to have a straight yes or no to this answer as far as law goes.

We will see what they tell me when they get back to me today as promised.

[CrappieAttitude]

I agree that this should be a straight yes or no answer. If it is interpreted differently by CO's, what can be done if someone gets cited for using one of these rigs. The last thing that we want to happen is get into a dispute on the ice. We all know who would win that battle.

[harvey lee]

I just recieved a call from Ron Prayer the Fisheries Management Chiefs office. Here is the deal, They are not legal at this time and they are working on new laws in regards to QS rigs so NO for now you cannot use them.

Hanson, you are correct-a-mundo.

[hanson]

Quote:

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Hanson, you are correct-a-mundo.

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Sometimes it sucks to be right.

Like I said, they are "technically" illegal at the moment until they can get a new ruling passed.

Until then, its up to the discretion of the CO working your area.

[Bobb-o]

i had a CO down in the eastern metro give me a warning aboot using quick strike rigs. Sent the DNR an email and they said they were ok to use, printed out the email brought it with me and the next time i was out on that lake fishing tip-ups got checked by the same CO and he told me he was gonna have to write me a ticket, then i showed him the email from the DNR and he said "well, i didnt know that they were legal" and left the lake.

[huntingmaxima]

Whats a QS rig?

[tipup]

I have been using regular hooks like what would be used on texas worm rig in the summer for my tipups in the winter since I started using tipups and have had nothing but great luck. Would not change for the world. Just my input?

[RK]

Hiya -

Yeah, what is and isn't legal this winter really is a muddle right now. Even the DNR is a little up in the air on what kind of guidance they can offer. In their defense however, they don't have much to work with. The statue states a treble hook is only legal if it's part of 'a lure.' But it doesn't define what a lure is. Up until this year, the DNR has been able to give a guidance that defined quick strike rigs with a spinner as a lure, and thus a legal rig. Now, as a result of something unrelated, it's been determined that they don't have the authority from the legislature to make interpretations like that... So...things get clear as mud. There is a new regulation coming that will address the issue, and, if it's what I'm told, make quick strike rigs legal. That'd be good news for Minnesota pike and muskies. I've been a pretty squeaky wheel about this issue with the DNR, and I really hope it gets resolved.

Right now Enforcement is working with Fisheries and the legal eagles in the Dept. to come up with an interim guidance that will cover the rest of the season that is apparently going to combine some of the new language with the existing rule. It'll be issued as an administrative memo with a limited duration.

The new guidance is supposed to be out shortly after Christmas - any day now actually. As soon as it's issued I'll post details here.

Yeah, it's a mess, but really not the DNR's fault. When you're given a term with no definition, and no authority to interpret it, you're sort of stuck.

That's not really an explanation, and I know it's not an answer as to what's legal and what's not, but that's where things are at. I know the field COs are about as in the dark as we are... I've talked to some, and get different answers each time...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[harvey lee]

Thanks for the info and legwork.

[gvg_uwec]

Here in Wis its legal to use just a plain treble on a tip-up and is only counted as one hook, sounds like many people are starting to switch to circle hooks lately with good success, so there are other options besides trebles out there under tipups.

[Jason Hubbard]

I just bought a set up from gander here in Mankato. One of the guys refered me too it, it has 2 treble hooks on it with a yellow spinner on it and they are for tip ups. Would that be considered illegal. Hope not cause I have used every time I have been out...

[hanson]

Quote:

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I just bought a set up from gander here in Mankato. One of the guys refered me too it, it has 2 treble hooks on it with a yellow spinner on it and they are for tip ups. Would that be considered illegal. Hope not

cause I have used every time I have been out...

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Currently... Yes. That is a Quick Strike rig.

If you've read the entire topic, these are supposed to be legal in Minnesota but because of some verbage in the regulations that changed this year, they are presently illegal. I'm sure Rob Kimm will keep us all in the loop once the DNR figures things out, until then, I would be careful using them as COs have been instructed to issue tickets for their use.

[DTro]

Anyone else feels it ironic that you can't use a treble hook, but yet if your hole is big enough and the lighting is right, you can toss a spear at it

I guess one could say that you could use selective harvest with the spear, but I still think it's funny.