An Ontario Four-Arm Version
The Umbrella rig, also known as an Alabama rig, has garnered considerable attention since a U.S. professional bass angler used it to win a large bass tournament in Alabama in October 2011. The subsequent publicity has made it one of the most sought-after pieces of tackle in the bass-fishing community both here in Ontario and in the United States.
In Ontario, it is illegal to fish with a line that has more than four hooks attached. As a result, the Alabama version of the Umbrella rig with five hooks or lures attached is not permitted for use in the province. However, if modified to four strands or arms to accommodate only four hooks, it is allowed.
An Ontario four-arm version of the Alabama rig is already being produced. Anglers can legally use these rigs in the province if no more than four lures, each with just one hook, are attached.
Attaching four crank baits or other hard-body lures with more than one treble hook per lure to the rig is not permitted. A treble hook is deemed to be one hook on an artificial lure.
What if I brought the 5 strand one, but only put hooks on 3 of them, and then simply attach two lures without hooks to the other two strands with screws, would that be legal?
I think so because the rule states it needs less than 4 hooks which will be the case