I just read an article in NAFC magazine and 2 local boys (Jim Siewert and Tom Diercks), discussed a 2 lure trolling setup they use on the Miss. and Illinois rivers. Its basically a shad rap connected to an inline lure (vibrax minnow) trolled on leadcore. It says that both guys each run 2 rods with this setup. Can 2 rods per person with a 2 lure setup on each legally be used on the Mississippi?
I would have to say no it isn’t legal.(at least in Minn.) 2 lures on one line is still technically 2 lines.
My guess here is they are removing the hook off the end of the vibrax spinner and running them in line. The spinner and added weight probably add to the presentations effectiveness..??? Just my guess. I’m sure these two guys are fishing within the laws. They are highly regarded tourney guys on the river here. I see Jim Siewert visits the site here on occasion, maybe he will chime in!
I searched a few sites on the web and I could not find a lure called a Vibrax Minnow, only a Vibrax Spinner shown here:
Here’s the Vibrax Minnow I came up with.
If this is the bait they were running I could see how it would work on a threeway. With the added hooks, it is still two separate lures on one line.
Like Jon said, I’m doubting they were violating any laws. Too much at stake. 
OK, I’ll bet they are doing the same here and removing the hooks and using the lure and flash of the spinner as an attractant.
J.
Maybe using one of the buggers….(With hook removed)
This wouldn’t be a bad search tactic. One lure for bottom fish and another for suspended.
My thought on this is: Wouldn’t it be somewhat counter-productive to take the hooks of a lure fished at a different level in the water column? In the same line of thinking, if the bait is used an attractant, shouldn’t it be ahead of the lure with the hooks. Not 18″ higher and 3ft behind. 
I’ve never claimed to be a great walleye fisherman. 
It would be great to hear from those guys for some clarification.
I have not read the article. But I’d have to assume the Rapala would be directly behind the Vibrex a foot or two.
J.
That was my bad. I misread the post above. I thought it was on a 3-way setup. Feel free to do this 
next time you see me. 
Actually they are running the Blue Fox Vibrax Minnow Spin as you show, also inline Mepps type spinners or original rapalas with a “smile” spinner blade. They are keeping the hooks on the inline bait and tying a 4-6′ leader off the back hook and then attaching this to their shad rap. So it is 2 baits with hooks.
I’m not saying they are doing anything illegal just was curious to understand the law on the water as it always is confusing, I assume the same rule applies for a Dubuque rig.
They also point out a place in Lake City, Lake Pepin Customized Lures that will repaint your lures, very nice from the pictures, they show a hot pink, orange, and pearl shad rap that looks nice. Very interesting article and something I will be trying this summer. I hope Jim or Tom can add to this post.
The way I understand the law, that would be illegal. Same goes for running 2 Debuqe rigs at the same time.
J.
My guess would be that they were misquoted in the article. They were probably using two rods in the boat (one each) which is perfectly legal.
Gator Hunter
Quote:
My guess would be that they were misquoted in the article. They were probably using two rods in the boat (one each) which is perfectly legal
That’s my guess to. Whole lot of guessing going on here. lol!
J.
They were running this setup on two rod each in the MWC Tournament on the Illinois River. In IL you can run 3 rods with two lures per rod while trolling. The MWC in IL allows for two rods with two lures per rod.
Hi Everyone!
Figure I would explain a little more in detail. Yes, it is totally legal to use this paricular set-up on the Illinois river. You can have up to (3) lures per rod. We have only utilized two because of the length of your leads between lures, you might have a heck of a time netting a fish off the Shad Rap at the end (unless you have a 20′ net!!).
This system works exceptionally well on the Illinois. The whole philosophy is utilizing the laws to your advantage. We double our chances for a strike by having eight lures in the water with 4 rods instead of the conventional 1 lure per rod. Over the past 4 years utilizing this system, I would almost have to say the catch ratio is 60 / 40 with the shad catching the 60% of fish. Custom colors are also a big part of our presentation. Lake Pepin Customized Lures do an excellent job painting the lures to our specifications. If you are interested, just give them a call at 651-345-2868 and they can set you up.
Now to our home waters. It would be totally illegal to have this set-up in the water if you are fishing 2 rods per person. But…..on those days when the fish are not cooperating, try just using one rod with this set-up(legal on Boundary Waters). Sometimes we feel those fish take a look at the front lure,but are not that interested, but, just then when they lose interest, here comes another lure and it provokes them into striking. We have tried utilizing the front lure on Pool 4 without hooks, but I am personally not sold on that one as. We have utilized Macks Lure Attractor blades however to get a little more enticement in front of our Shads though.
We utilize for the front lure the Blue Fox Vibrax Minnow. Usually 3/16 or 1/4 ounce. You always want to utilize a Rapala Floater or Blue FOx Vibrax Minnow with two sets of hooks though.
Hopefully this clarifies some things. Give it a whirl (especially you guys heading down to the Illinois this month) if yu are trollers. The benefits far outweigh the negatives. Thanks Everyone!!
Jim Siewert
PS: Of course, we did not tell ALL of our secrets that we use down there!!
Oh, just wanted to clarify also. The law reads in Illinois that when trolling, an angler can not use more than 3 poles and lines with not more that two hooks or “two lures” on each. I stated prior that you could use three lures per rod. I stand corrected. Glad we never tried that down there!!!!
Thanks Jim for the clarification. Great article and something I will be trying this summer. Oh goody, more tackle to buy. I encourage everyone to read the full article in the NAFC. It’s these little tricks that separate the men from the boys. Thanks for sharing! 
In Wisconsin, it is Illegal to:
Fish with more than 3 hooks, baits, or lures.
I understand this as 3 rods w/1 bait each, 2 rods w/ 2 baits on 1 rod & 1 bait on the other, or 3 baits on 1 rod.
For Wi/Mn boundary waters: Wi residents need a Wi license, Mn residents need a Mn license to fish. Non-residence need to purchase a license from either state. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state you are fishing. Does this mean to fish the regulations of the state you are licensed in? I think so. If you draw a line in the channel for this wouldn’t that declare an actual state boundry otherwise?
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/fish/regulations/2004/documents/hook04.pdf
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