Tournament Rules Change For The Pro’s
By stephenmcgoldrick. Filed in Announcements, Bass Fishing Equipment, Fishing Updates, New Product |
I do not think there has been a lure that has set the Bass Fishing World in such a buzz, fishing a multi-lure rig. Back in October, when Paul Elias won a tournament on Lake Guntersville with the Alabama Rig, it’s all any one wants to talk about now days, and it is all the anglers want to fish.
Why the fuss ? Give the right conditions, especially the fall weather down south when the bass start storing up on food for the winter the Alabama Rig is something that sould be tied on one rod. This is a bait that we are going to see in alot of local tournaments in the states that allow it. That is great news for us little folks but the Pro’s: Paul Elias, Skeet Reese, and many others, it is a setback.
For that reason, members of the Bassmaster Elite Series Rules Committe, which advises B.A.S.S. on tournament rules, recommended that all multi-lure rigs, including umbrella-type rigs, be prohibited in tournaments.
Their argument is compelling. Believing the rig is too effective and too easy to use, they argue that it minimizes the importance of skill in tournament competition.
Tournament Director Trip Weldon and other officials granted their wish. Beginning 2/1/2012, qualifiers for the Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Elite Series will be allowed to use no more than one lure at a time. That means no more “donkey rigs” (tandem soft jerkbaits), or drop shot setups using jigs for weight, or double topwaters – or Umbrella Rigs.
The rule does not apply to Bassmaster Open, Federation Nation, College B.A.S.S. or other events.
Anglers are waiting in lines out side stores to buy theis umbrella rig and some tackle companies have gone into 20 hour days trying to meet the demand for this crazy lure…and it does not just stop there, whats more there are anglers wearing fishing hats lined up in the cookware section of the stores buying wire wisk so they could fashion their own umbrella rig.
I remeber a few years ago Strike King Came out with a type of rattle trap and crank bait that KVD used in tournament and won it was the sexy Shad color, and you could not get either bait for months and the back orders were shocking, but at least the bait did not get baned from tournaments.
Again I say to all my readers do not get caught using the Alabama Rig where it states that it is illegal.
Other than that let’s see what they come up with next…I know it is like dangling candy over the anglers face and then tell them that they can not use this lure.
KEEP THE HOOKS WET
Steve
Thanks to DAVE PRECHER of BASS TIMES
