How to Improve Fish Hook Safety When Using Multi Hook Rigs

Depending on the regulations in your state, you may be able to fish with rigs that have multiple hooks. Under the right conditions this can be a great way to catch fish. But more hooks mean more chances of snagging your sweatshirt, life jacket, another rod, etc. Here are a few species of fish that can be caught with multiple hook rigs, and some fish hook safety tips on how to store and transport these rigs.
 

1. Trout. Fly anglers often use two flies in tandem. Among the advantages is the ability to present two completely different offerings in a single drift, often at different depths. When a floating fly is paired with a sinking fly such as a beaded nymph, the floating fly even when not hit by a fish, can help serve as a strike indicator. These rigs can be tied streamside or ahead of time and transported in a plastic film canister, which make great fishing hook covers.

2. Stripers or white bass. This generally is two jig-type lures with one tied directly behind the other or tied together with two lines of varying lengths. Twin fluke plastic bait rigs, with little or no weight, also work for largemouth and spotted bass on some large lakes. They can be stored in plastic sandwich bags or secured even better in some of the new plastic fishing hook covers.

3. Bass. The Alabama rig hit the fishing industry by storm a few years ago. It is a multi wire harness allowing anglers to attach lures, generally jigs or swim baits. This idea has been used by trolling anglers, but now is in a smaller, castable form. Even though banned by most of the big bass tournaments it is still popular enough that new tackle box designs, both hard and soft, continue to be created to help tame these beasts.

4. Yellow Perch. A sabiki rig is another saltwater rig that also works in freshwater for vertical jigging in deep lakes. It is commonly purchased with 6 hooks but in Pennsylvania, for example, regulations require clipping off 3. They can be wound on a small strip of cardboard for safe keeping.

Multi hook rigs can increase your chances of a hookup, not just with more hooks, but by creating the illusion of a school of baitfish or even some sort of pursuit. But, these rigs require extra care with transport and storage to ensure fish hook safety. Check and double check your state regulations and then show the fish something different and give one a try.

Have you tried fishing with multi hook rigs? How do you store yours?