Fishing lure grabs attention of sportsmen

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The most unusual fishing lure to have come out in some time is getting a lot of attention lately, perhaps with good reason.

The Alabama Rig is a combination of five wires, swivels and attachments connected to a jig head. Anglers can attach lures, such as crankbaits, grubs or plastic swimbaits, to each of the five attachments.

The result, when cast, is a combination of lures mimicking of a school of baitfish.

Alone, the rig weighs less than 3/8 of an ounce. It's heavier with lures, which is why it's recommended that anglers using the system use 80- to 100-pound braided line. But its makers, who have teamed up with Mann's as their sole distributor, say it's tangle-free when fished correctly. It can be run horizontally or vertically.

The rig already has proven effective in situations. FLW Tour pro Paul Elias Jr. won at least one tournament with it this year, boating 102 pounds of fish in four days on Alabama's Lake Guntersville. Manufacturers of the rig say it's not uncommon to catch more than one fish at a time on the rig, too.

A version that could be used to catch crappies is in the works.

Videos explaining how to fish with the rig can be found online at www.thealabamarig.com.

Line recycling

If you're looking for a winter project that could benefit your local fishing hole, this might be it.

BoatUS Foundation's Reel In and Recycle program has placed nearly 1,200 fishing-line recycling bins — three-foot-tall PVC storage tubes — on piers, docks and buildings at waters' edge around the country.

Anglers can stuff their discarded fishing line into the tubes. That keeps it off the ground, out of waterways and from harming wildlife, the program's organizers say.

Last year, 2,700 miles of line were collected that way. It was melted down and used to make other products.

The tubes are maintained by fishing clubs, scouting groups, marinas and other volunteers.

Groups interested in getting a free tube can sign up on a waiting list at www.BoatUS.com. There's also a video posted on the site that tells you how to build your own bin.

No merger

Periodically, there's talk about of merging Pennsylvania's Game and Fish and Boat commissions, sometimes with the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Another state that recently has been looking at the same thing decided against the idea.

Officials in Virginia, which already has a combined game and fish agency, examined the idea of merging it with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Gov. Bob McDonnell's commission on state government reform and restructuring studied the issue.

Ultimately, though, it decided against recommending a merger of the two agencies and their law-enforcement duties "because they vary so widely."

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THE DAILY CATCH http://fishingnews.posterous.com/fishing-lure-grabs-attention-of-sportsmen --> The most unusual fishing lure to have come out in some time is getting a lot of attention lately, perhaps with good reason. The Alabama Rig is a combination of five wires, swivels and attachments connected to a jig head. Anglers can attach lures, such as crankbaits, grubs or plastic swimbaits, t ...