Bass Tournament News

FLW Outdoors President Kathy Fennel released a statement today on their website stating that the Alabama Rig is no different than other of the hot new rigs that have come out in the past. FLW Outdoors is leaving the decision in the experts hands - the various state wildlife agencies - to determine if this rig should be allowed in their respective states.

Fennel states, "Since their inception, tournaments have been the spawning ground for lure, equipment and technique innovations that help recreational anglers catch more and bigger fish... To argue that the Alabama Rig and other castable umbrella rigs be banned from tournaments is to believe that we’ve finally reached the end of innovation; that the great equalizer has been found; that the only thing separating novice anglers from the world’s top professionals is a weighted head with five wire leaders and swimbaits. There is nothing more to learn."

"We believe professional anglers deserve more credit than that. We believe their skill and intuition will not be undercut by a baitfish-imitating technique that helps less experienced anglers catch fish when otherwise they might not. Will it force some pros to elevate their game and adapt? Of course it will. Just like GPS, side-imaging sonar, sight-fishing, shallow-water anchors and countless lure, line and rod innovations have done over the years," said Fennel.

Fennel clarifies their conservation ethic has not changed, and that they've taken the additional step of contacting wildlife officials in each state hosting an FLW Outdoors event to urge them to study the effects of castable umbrella rigs on live release rates. If any issues are found they will reevaluate their rules.

Read the entire Alabama Rig statement on FLWOutdoors.com.