Your opinion on the Alabama rig?

[bassboogieman]

After last week on Guntersville, what do you think of the rig used by the winner and several of the top-place finishers?

I'll start by saying my state (PA) and the adjoining state of MD where I often fish ban the use of such rigs. We are limited to "two hooks" per line - actually that should be stated as two "lures per line", as multiple treble hooked lures are counted as "one hook". We can fish a dropshot with a jig as a weight or the double fluke rig, but we can't fish an umbrella rig or daisy chain of baits.

Do you consider a lure in the style of the Alabama rig, a violation of the "rules of fair chase", practiced by most hunters & fishermen as an ethical manner to persue their intended quarry.

Both the professional tours have banned the use of trolling and live bait in their sanctioned events, whle the walleye tour allows it. Why do the professional bass tours NOT allow it? Would it have to do with "fair chase" or possibly deemed harmfull to the health of bass (in the instance of live bait)?

This type of lure is currently legal in Alabama and probably other states as well, but should it be banned? Should it be banned for professional events only? Do you see using this type harmfull to bass, and bass fishing in the context that catching multiple bass per cast (possibly filling the livewell on the first cast) takes away from the SPORT of fishing?

Professional bass fishing is considered a "sport" as well as a business, but does this type of lure remove the SPORT from those events?

I'm not condoning the lure or condemming it, but it's raised questions in my mind. Many will say if it's legal - use it. But my view leans towards use of this style of lure as unsporting - in a sporting event. If you're out meat fishing to feed your family, maybe a different story. You could use a net or trot line, too.

Just thought this would be an excellent topic to discuss.