Umbrella Rig - Alabama Rig
Is It Legal In Your State?

The Umbrella Rig, or Alabama Rig, is either the best thing since sliced bread or a scourge of plague upon the earth, depending on where you stand.

The states are having a real wrestling match with this one trying to decide what is legal & what steps over the line.

Many tournaments have even banned the use.

We spent a bit of time trying to find out what each state's law on the rig is. It is a VERY fluid subject. Below are the most current laws (April-May 2012) that we could find for each state compiled from web articles & individual state web sites. We are providing this for information purposes only & will not guarantee the accuracy. The laws may even differ from body of water to body of water depending on the state.

Sources include;
FHC Outdoors
BassMaster

Please note;

YOU MUST check with the state YOURSELF to confirm the current laws in your State. We hold no responsibility. YOU MUST do you own due diligence! 

 

Alabama
Fish it with (5) hooked lures and hold on!

Alaska
No Current Information. There are no freshwater bass in Alaska.

Arizona
As current law stands, it is advised that you do not rig more than “two” baits onto the Alabama Rig. Depending on how you interpret “lure” from the rules, an angler should be allowed to rig (2) swimbaits on the rig with hooks and (3) teaser lures without hooks.

Anglers may use only one line or pole with no more than two hooks. An artificial lure is considered one hook.

Arkansas
Anglers may use the Alabama Rig.    

California  
You may only have (3) hooks on your Alabama Rig. It has been advised to rig (2) teaser lures or spinnerbait blades onto the rig to remain legal.

In California, “all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto” (California Code of Regulations, section 2.00)     

Colorado  
Anglers can rig (3) lures with hooks onto the Alabama Rig. It appears that you can rig (2) teaser lures to remain legal.

The following are legal methods of take for species listed in this chapter. Any method of take not listed herein shall be prohibited, except as otherwise provided by statute or these regulations:

1. One personally attended line, except as otherwise authorized in these regulations.

a. Each line shall have no more than 3 common hooks attached. A common hook is considered (1) lure.

Connecticut
Anglers may used the Alabama Rig with (5) hooked lures.

Delaware  
Anglers may rig (3) hooked lures onto the Alabama Rig, but may not rig any additional hooks or teasers.

The use of more than three hooks or lures per rod or pole is prohibited. 

Florida
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (5) hooked lures.

Georgia
No Current Information

Hawaii  
The only freshwater body of water told to have bass is the Wahiawa Reservoir Public Fishing Area, on the island of Oahu. In this case, only (2) hooked lures are allowed on the Alabama Rig.

Idaho
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (5) hooks.

A hook is deemed to be “a bent wire device, for the catching of fish, to which one, two, or three points may be attached to a single shank. Up to five (5) hooks per line may be used, except where specifically prohibited.”

Illinois
The Alabama Rig is both legal and not legal depending on the body of water being fished. Please read the clarification for official state information.

The IDNR legal staff, working with the Divisions of Fisheries and Law Enforcement, have determined that the Alabama rig IS legal in those waters in the state that do NOT have the “2 poles only with no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole regulation.”

Indiana
The Alabama Rig may be used with up to (5) hooked lures. This rule is a temporary ruling that expires January 1, 2013.

As DNR officials continue to study the issue, this temporary rule adds a fourth option to the existing regulation that allows “one rig or lure array for use with multiple artificial baits with not more than five hooks.” Thanks to Danny Jorgensen for alerting me as to the new temporary Indiana law.

Iowa
The Alabama Rig may be used with (2) hooked lures.

The Alabama Rig as it is with the five lures is not legal. According to the Fisheries Bureau you can remove three of the hooks and have the same principle of a line look like a school of fish to attract others. As long as a rig only has two hooks it would be legal.

Kansas
The Alabama Rig is legal in Kansas if you rig (2) hooked lures with teasers or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (3) wires.

Each angler is limited to two rods (three with three-pole permit) with no more than two baited hooks (single or treble) or artificial lures per line.

Kentucky
It is legal to use (5) hooked lures with the Alabama Rig.
Clarification provided by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Louisiana
It appears that the fully rigged Alabama Rig is legal to use.

Maine
It is legal to use (5) hooked lures with the Alabama Rig.

The Alabama rig is legal to use in Maine with the following stipulations: there can only be a single baited hook on the line, the other lines can have artificial lures but you can only have a single baited hook. If used strictly for artificial lures you can have as many lures on a line as desired. Clarification provided by Maine Warden Service.

Maryland
Anglers may rig (2) hooked lures onto the Alabama Rig. It is advised to use “teaser” lures or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (3) wires.

The Department has recently received many questions about a type of gear called an Alabama Rig. The Department defines the Alabama Rig as an umbrella rig. The umbrella rig, as described on page 39 of the 2012 Fishing Guide, may not have more than two baits or lures which have hooks. Additional hooks can be removed to bring the rig into compliance with regulations.       

Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Law has outlawed any lure that is designed to catch “more than one” fish. In this case, the Alabama Rig is considered illegal.

Michigan
There is some conflicting information regarding the Alabama Rig in Michigan. Interpreting the rules would make the rig legal with up to (6) hooks.

No more than three lines per person (including tip-ups) nor more than six hooks or lures may be used. All hooks attached to an artificial bait or “night crawler harness” are counted as one hook. Hooks must be baited or attached to an artificial bait.

Minnesota
The Alabama Rig is considered illegal in Minnesota.

The Alabama rig would generally not be legal to use in Minnesota. Minnesota does have some newer, more flexible tackle regulations. But the maximum number of hooks on a single tackle configuration is 3, they must all be on a single line in a row, and the hooks cannot measure more than 9 inches from the first hook to the last hook. The Alabama rig is not considered an artificial bait/lure in Minnesota. Clarification provided by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Mississippi
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig in some waters, but is illegal in some waters. Always check the regulations for each lake and river before fishing.

Game fish may be taken only by hook and line with one or more hooks (including rod and reel with artificial bait), trolls or trotlines.  Each person having a valid fishing license may use no more than 100 hooks per person.  

Missouri
It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal.  

Montana  
No Current Information

Nebraska
It is illegal to fish the Alabama Rig in Nebraska. Pay attention to the details in your laws. This is confirmed.

Nevada  
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (2) hooked lures attached. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades to the remaining (3) wires to remain legal.

No more than three baited hooks, nor more than three fly hooks, or two lures or plugs irrespective of the number of hooks or attractor blades attached thereto, may be attached to the line. Some waters have further restrictions.      

New Hampshire  
It is illegal to use the Alabama Rig in New Hampshire.

As you can see, the term “an” precedes the words “artificial bait”. “An” is singular and therefore the fact that the Alabama rig has multiple artificial baits that are interchangeable on the wires would make it illegal in the state of New Hampshire. Clarification provided by New Hampshire Fish & Game.

I. Angling: The taking of fish by line in hand, or rod in hand to which is attached a cast of artificial flies, or an artificial bait, or hooks or other devices for the attachment of bait. A person may have in use not more than 2 such lines at one time. Nothing in this title shall prohibit the use of a rod-holder in a boat.

New Jersey  
Allows the rig on most state waters except the Delaware River, which has a restriction of three hooks per line.  

New Mexico
It is legal to use (5) hooked lures with the Alabama Rig.

It is legal in our state expect in our Special Trout Waters and cannot be used for snagging outside of our snagging season. Clarification provided by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

New York
It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig in New York with (5) hooked lures.

…each line is limited to not more than five lures or baits or a combination of both; and in addition, each line shall not exceed fifteen hook points in any combination of single, double or treble hooks.

North Carolina
It is legal to use The Alabama Rig in North Carolina.

The use of a multiple bait lure such as the Alabama rig is not restricted in North Carolina inland fishing waters with two exceptions: (1) in inland waters on the Roanoke River upstream of the U.S. 258 bridge only a single barbless hook or lure may be used from April 1 to June 30; and, (2) in Public Mountain Trout Waters there are bait and lure restrictions depending upon the type of waters being fished. Otherwise, an Alabama rig or similar umbrella-type rig with multiple hooks is legal to use. Provided by Bob Curry, Division of Inland Fisheries.

North Dakota
It appears that the Alabama Rig is legal to use if you have (3) hooked lures and (2) spinnerbait blades or attractors on the remaining (2) wires.

A lure is defined as any man-made object comprised of metal, plastic, wood and/or other non-edible materials made or used to catch fish. A lure may not contain more than three hooks and the maximum distance between any hooks on a lure may not exceed 10 inches. A single hook may not include more than three points, barbed or otherwise. Spinners and other live bait rigs and harnesses are considered a lure and are legal. Hookless dodgers or attractors used ahead of a lure or bait are legal.   

Ohio
The Alabama Rig may be used with (3) hooked lures.

An Alabama Rig or Umbrella Rig, using 5 leaders, is not legal in Ohio. Anglers may only use up to three hooks on each line. The Alabama Rig allows for 5 items to be attached. If a fisherman were to use only 3 of the leaders on the rig, using only 3 hooks in total for the entire rig, then, they could use the rig, but would be using only part of it. Clarification provided by Ohio’s Division of Wildlife.

Oklahoma
The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (5) hooked lures.

Oregon
The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use “teaser” baits without hooks or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires.

No more than two hooks may be used while angling for Pacific halibut and no more than three hooks may be used while angling for other species except herring jigs may be used for marine food fish species. A single, double or treble point hook is classified as one hook.

Pennsylvania
The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal.

No more than three hooks shall be attached to a line used in fishing (one hook having two or three points is considered a “single hook”). All rods, lines and hooks shall be under the immediate control of the person using them.

Rhode Island
The Alabama Rig is legal to use with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal.

Unless otherwise specified, only a rod and reel or other hand-held and hand-operated device shall be used to catch fish in the fresh waters of the state. At no time shall a person place, operate, or superintend more than two (2) of these devices for the purpose of catching fish, except as noted below, and no more than three (3) hooks may be attached to each device.

South Carolina
No Current Information

South Dakota
The Alabama Rig may be fshed with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires to remain legal.

Two lines and three hooks per line may be used for fishing.

Tennessee
The Alabama Rig may be fished with (3) hooked lures. Anglers may NOT use teaser baits or spinnerbait blades because Tennessee considers this illegal.

Tennessee defines an illegal umbrella rig as an array of more than 3 artificial lures or baits (with or without hooks) used by a single rod and reel combination.

Texas
It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig in Texas with (5) hooked baits. 

Utah
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (2) hooked lures.

No line may have attached to it more than two baited hooks, two artificial flies or two artificial lures.

Vermont
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig in Vermont with only (2) hooked lures.

A person may take fish only by using not more than two lines of which he or she has immediate control. Each line may not have more than two baited hooks, or three artificial flies or two lures with or without bait.

Virginia
It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig with (5) hooked lures.

Washington
It is legal to fish the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is recommended that the angler use “teasers” or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires.

Hook and line angling only. Barbed or barbless hooks may be used, and a hook may be single-point, double, or treble, but not more than one line with up to three hooks per angler may be used”.   

West Virginia
It is legal to use (5) hooked baits on the Alabama Rig.

While trout fishing in special regulation waters, multiple hook lures must have barbless hooks. There are no other limits on hooks. Clarification provided by West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

Wisconsin
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is unclear if “teasers” or spinnerbait blades on the remaining (2) wires would be considered illegal.

It is illegal to fish with more than three hooks, baits, or lures.       

Wyoming
It is legal to use the Alabama Rig with (3) hooked lures. It is unclear if “teaser” baits or spinnerbait blades can be used on the remaining (2) wires.

No line may have more than three (3) single hooked devices attached.

A hook is described as being “a single hooked device or bait regardless of the number of prongs”.