Quick Strike Rig Treble Hook Question for Minnesota

[Boot]

I tie my own qsr's using Surfstrad 1x7 uncoated 20 lb leader and #10 treble hooks.  I make them about 20 inches long with 2 treble hooks spaced about 3 - 4 inches apart under a tip up using sucker minnows.

In Minnesota - do I have to put a bead and spinner on for it to be legal?  I've heard that in November of 2011 the law changed in that a treble hooks are no longer considered 3 separate hooks and therefore 3 separate lures.

I've got a call into the MN DNR but have heard nothing back on my question.

Can anyone confirm that a quick strike rig like I've described above is legal?

Thanks.

[flyangler00]

right from the reg. book:


Angling Methods
• Anglers may use only one hook. An artificial lure is considered one hook.
A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered three hooks
and is not legal. The exception is that three artificial flies may be used
when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

[SKilo]

I believe it has changed but it's slightly confusing with the wording they use...

Effective November 1st 2011


There is a new rule and here is our (MN DNR) attempt at explaining it for the 2012 fishing regulations:



· Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiple hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike rig) ). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be used on designated trout streams and lakes.

o The total length of the single tackle configuration must be nine inches or less

o Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use (see pages 11-12).

o A single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure.

Let us know if you have questions.



Sincerely,
DNR Information Center
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
651-296-6157
1-888-646-6367

[Boot]

Thanks for the responses -

It sounds (reads) like if I cut my qsr's down to 9 inches I'm ok without the bead and spinner.  However, I like them longer so they don't get bit off quite as likely.  Looks like I'm either cutting them down or adding the hardware to my longer rigs.

Thanks again!

[Skipper]

Maybe it is 9'' between the hooks

These people need their heads examined... They strike down one stupid confusing law just to replace it with another.

[flyangler00]

wow, that is a bit confusing

[Skipper]

So are crawler harnesses with a 6' snell unlawful now? My lord... what are they trying to prevent with this?

[tbirdbassr]

It s probably not prevent skipper.  More like invent funds for the state!!!

[Skipper]

I'm sure they are trying to make snagging fish tough to do without being obvious... Maybe....

How about a $500 fine for snagging game fish intentionally and forget about this silliness? 

[Rebelss]

So are crawler harnesses with a 6' snell unlawful now? My lord... what are they trying to prevent with this?

NO!!! You are UNDER a 9" total length....just keep your rigs at 8" as I do, and you're fine. They do not want a long line with multiple hooks... that's what they want to get away from. It's condidered a "single tackle" rig or configuration. I know, let's make some more cornball rules...how about we increase total set ups to 4 or 5, instead of 2?!

[Skipper]

Can we still use the trick with spinners and beads to make it an artificial lure? This makes me want to cry.

[Boot]

Here's how I make my Quick Strike Rigs

I start with Surfstand 20 lb uncoated steel leader, #10 treble hooks, swivels, a twiddling stick, and sharp scissors.



I cut about 24 inches of the leader off and make a bend in one end with about a 3 inch tag end.



Put the bend through the eye of one of the treble hooks and loop the bend over all 3 hooks and back on itself.  Pull tight.



I use my twiddling stick to spin the treble hook about 12 or 14 times twisting the tag end.



Trim the tag end and thread the second treble hook down the leader so it's about 3 or 4 inches from the first treble hook.



Wrap the leader around one of the second treble hooks hook and wrap the shank about 4 or 5 times running the leader back through the eye of the hook.



Make a bend in the end of the leader and place the swivel through the bend, around itself (just like you did with the first treble hook), use the twiddling stick to twist the wire about 12 or 14 times and trim the tag end.



and the swivel end should look something like this.



The finished Quick Strike Rig.



I like to keep the qsr's in old sinker bags to keep them from tangling up.  I keep about 5 or 6 of them with me so I can change out quickly when they get kinked or broken.  I fish with 6 inch sucker minnows and have caught many a Northern under tipups using these.

[Skipper]

And at 18'', it will get us a ticket here in MN.... I think....

[Rebelss]

Yes, it will. Here, use my hankie.

[Skipper]

If I am fishing 10'' suckers with a 9'' QSR, I am gonna get bit off. That will result in mortality of very large pike with a mouthful of Eagle Claw 374s....

They try to fix things, but make it worse. Leave it to our bush league, corn field, fly over county politicians...

[Rebelss]

That's why I'm going to begin marketing a treble hook lure styled after after that 60's big mouth lure, the Hula Popper. It will have an even bigger mouth, fat, soft body of a politician, swim in circles, and try to hide when a fish comes. I'm going to call it the Pig Porker Politico Popper.
After my first million, you can find me down in Oco del Rio.....

[Boot]

I meant I've caught many a Northern on this rig



A close up of the beads and spinner I've added to all my qsr's over 9 inches long.



This should keep the MN DNR happy (btw, they never did return my call I had questioning this set up).

[Skipper]

Boot, do the beads and spinners still make it legal or did that change? I have been making rigs just like that for years (good call on anchoring the second treble by the way) and the beads and spinners are how I got around the law. It seems that the words "tackle configuration" has replaces "artificial lure". If we can make an "artificial lure" out of the "tackle configuration", nothing changes. I honestly do not know what they are trying to do here....

I am going to go find some blood pressure pills now.

[Boot]

Skipper - I read it as tackle configuration and artificial lure are the same thing (interchangeable).  Therefore the beads and spinner make it an artificial lure with multiple hooks which is legal.  I agree that the wording of the 'new' law doesn't change anything, but then again who knows?

On the other hand, the 'new' law could be read as no beads or spinners are necessary to be legal.  I don't have any idea how to interpret what was written.

I guess in the end, the beads and spinner are very small and I hope won't interfere with the natural look of the minnow under our tipups.

[Skipper]

I honestly think that a couple small silver, copper, or gold spinner blades help coax more walleye in. I never get bit by walleye on coarse pike gear without the spinner blades.

Law or not, I learned to love the obligatory spinners and beads.