It is Christmas in February this year. I picked up a copy of the 2012 Minnesota Fishing Regulations today and on page 9 they explain the new Hooks, Lures and Tackle Configurations. Here is what it says:
Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiple-pronged (example – treble) hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line. (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike rig. See pictures on page 63). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be used on designated trout streams and lakes.
– The total length of the single tackle configuration from the first hook to the last hook must be nine inches or less.
– Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use (see page 12).
– This single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure / bait, and no additional hooks may be used. Adding a bead, blade, or spinner does not make it into an artificial lure / bait.
If you go to the In-Depth Outdoors Articles Forum you will see a post about a Cat Bait Harness. This new regulation finally makes the 2-hook Cat Bait Harness a legitimate rig. I have been using a two-hook cat harness the past few years and that is my primary flathead rig. I have had good success with it. That extra stinger hook has saved my fish on several different occasions.
I like having the extra hook especially in a large bait. Now it is legal to even add a third hook so I plan on rigging up some 3-Hook Rigs. I like to use large strips of cut bait when I troll or drift and having the ability to add hooks for those short hits should improve my hook-up percentages. I’ll do another Cat Tip of the Day when I get done playing with how to tie them up. Should be pretty simple – they cannot be longer than 9 inches from the first hook to the third hook.
This is very good news and they also made it legal to add another hook to an artificial lure/bait. As an example, a stinger hook (often a treble hook) can be trailed behind a jig. This will help me when I am trolling cut bait because I sometimes use dragging jigs to troll and now I can stinger hook the jig. This change is also spelled out on page 9 of the new 2012 MN Fishing Regulations. These new tackle configurations are really great news for me.
