The use of Alabama Rigs and other multi-lure rigs will be prohibited in the Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Upon the recommendation of its Bassmaster Elite Series Rules Committee, anglers will only be allowed the use of a single lure during practice and competition.
The rule change clarifies the intent of long-standing rules permitting only one rod, one reel and one cast at a time. In addition to the Alabama Rig, double soft jerkbait rigs, drop shot rigs with jigs used as weights, and double topwater setups are also not permitted.
This new rule does not apply to Bassmaster Open, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, College B.A.S.S. and other events. Only the Classic and Elite Series.
The change becomes effective Feb. 1 and includes the upcoming Bassmaster Classic at Shreveport-Bossier City, La., Feb. 24-26.
Committee members made the rule change primarily for the Alabama Rig, which pro angler Paul Elias used to obliterate the competition in an FLW Tour event victory on Lake Guntersville in October. In the weeks since, tens of thousands of the multi-lure devices have been sold, and they have proved extremely effective in both recreational and competitive fishing.
The Alabama Rig and similar setups from other manufacturers consist of a weighted head with five wire leaders trailing behind. Soft plastic swimbaits and similar lures are attached to the leaders, imitating a school of baitfish.
Rules Committee members believe the rig eliminates some of the skill that should be required in tournament competition at the highest level. “It doesn’t matter how you work it,” said one of the anglers. “The fish can’t help themselves.”
“The Alabama Rig has become enormously popular in recent months, and it has definitely had an impact on the tournaments in which it has been used,” noted Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director. “Personally, I have enjoyed catching bass on umbrella rigs and found them to be very effective in some situations. I have witnessed first-hand the excitement this technique has generated in our sport.
“However, the Elite Series Rules Committee members unanimously asked to be held to a higher standard,” he added. “We have decided to honor their recommendation.”
This rule change should not come as too big a surprise as it follows a precedence of imposing more stringent restrictions in Elite Series and Classic competition than in other B.A.S.S. events. For example, landing nets are prohibited in the Elites and the Classic, but not in other circuits. Additional rules specific to the Elites include off-limits periods, no-information restrictions and new limits on boats that can be used in competition.
Despite the rule change, B.A.S.S. officials emphasized that the decision should not be construed as disapproval of multi-lure rigs.
“We are as excited as the rest of the country about the new multi-lure rigs,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We will continue to cover new ways to utilize these tools in Bassmaster Magazine and on Bassmaster.com. Our Classic and Elite tournaments simply have a higher standard for the sake of competition. The rest of us will enjoy learning how to catch more fish with these tools.”
A Rules Committee member added, “I don’t have a problem with the use of umbrella rigs or multi-lure rigs to catch bass. If you are out fun fishing, there may be nothing more fun to use. However, our events represent the highest level of professionalism in our sport and I think as participants of these events, we should be held to a higher standard, as well. I like the idea of one rod, one reel, one lure.”
For more on the controversy surrounding the Alabama Rig, click here.
