Alabama rig "dummy bait" question????

[SKTR 20i]

I understand that it is illegal in Ca. to throw 5 "hooked" baits on the Alabama rig. But isn't it also illegal in Ca to throw a "dummy, non-hooked" bait.

Which would mean that if you throw a rig with 2 baits that the hooks have been cut off, you are fishing an illegal bait???!!!

John.

[ASD]

For a idem to be a "bait" it must have a hook. if no hook it falls into the same class as flashers

[Jason C.]

Per CA DFG it is ok to throw dummy baits with the rig. if they have no hooks you are good to go. there was a thread not too long ago with a great explanation, and i think a video. how ever if a warden stops you and inspects it and you have hooks on more than 3 baits, its bad news.

[bryanmc]

California says you can have 3 "lures". In order to be defined as a lure, it must have a hook. 100 arms, 3 lures (baits with a hook) and 97 baits without hooks and you're perfectly legal.

[davet.]

Yup, dummy baits are just an attractant. Exactly the same concept as a blade on a spinner bait.

[drew]

Also if the heads and hooks are permanently attached to the wire frame it would be considered one bait with three hooks.

[FATGUY]

whats everyone opinion on which two legs to be the dummy ( no hooks) arms

[Takedown]

whats everyone opinion on which two legs to be the dummy ( no hooks) arms

I guess the quick answer to your question, is put the heaviest weight on the very bottom of you rig. But with so many bait options, you can really get puzzled on how and what baits to use. If you use different baits on each wire it only makes for a jumbled mess, i want all wires to have the same baits, with a heavier jighead on the bottom center.

You can very the setup by using the natural forage in the local waters you fish. Baits that have the same size and look can have completely different action, just by changing the size and design of the jighead used. Change your jigheads until you find what the fish want. This will tell you the type of plastic baits you should be using. We found that the fish on Clearlake really liked our custom swim bodies. We also found out that the dummy lures need to be on the top of rig, fish will just hammer the lower baits.

The weight of your rig, really makes no difference, as long as your not getting hung up. We have used rigs weighing 1 oz., 3/4 oz., 1/2 oz. and 1/4 oz with great success. If you want to give your rig a few change up? Try putting a spinner bait swivel and blade, smaller blades give faster speed but less lift, larger blades give greater lift and much slower retrieve speed.

[N.A.R]

whats everyone opinion on which two legs to be the dummy ( no hooks) arms

Your top baits should be the dummy baits. Your bottom bait should be the heaviest, to keel the rig.