Just like the FLW and Bassmaster Elite series events...the CSFL has just banned the "Alabama" or "Umbrella" rigs from their tournaments.
"The following Rule #5 deals with the controversial bait/rig of the year which has been eliminated from some competitions south of the boarder for reasons other than conservation. Although some organizations have taken the “let’s wait and see what happens first” approach, the CSFL believes the Rig has the potential to cause personal/bodily and property damage i.e.; impalement, water lines, docks and boats. The CSFL also believes that A-Rigs left behind could prove to be lethal to pets. Anglers should do everything within their means to retrieve snagged rigs. As the leading Canadian organization of angling competition, the CSFL is constantly being challenged with matters that do not pertain to the organization and its members. In saying that, the CSFL believes that the future of the sport lies within the relationship of the communities surrounding these lakes and the controversial A-Rig may bring negativity that may begin to snowball and lead to challenging other lures, methods and most of all the integrity of the sport. The CSFL is therefore taking the position in not allowing the use of the A-Rig until more data is made available. At this time, however, the CSFL will not allow the use of the A-Rig for the 2012 season including the Kingston Canadian Open of Fishing."
The "A-rigs" are a legal lure to use in Ontario as long as there are no more than 4 hooks on it.
If this is a "legal" rig... one may ask why all the bans?
One can argue that a crankbait with 3 treble hooks technically has "9" hooks.....yet the A-rig with only 4 is being banned?
I've heard quite a few people say "it's harmful to the fish with the other hooks dangling around"...well... has anyone ever had one or two of the trebles on their crankbaits snag a fish in the side or the top of the head? What's the difference, I wonder?
What's everyone's take on this?