Umbrella Rigs...

[Jimmyz123]

Question: A recent innovation on the pro bass-fishing trail is something called the “Alabama Rig”, which is similar to what is called an “Umbrella Rig” by saltwater anglers. The Alabama Rig consists of five or six lures [usually plastic grubs or small swimbaits] radiating from a central attachment point by wires, imitating a school of baitfish. It looks very similar to a “mobile” that you might suspend above a baby’s crib. Since all the lures have hooks in them, would this rig be legal for inland/freshwater fishing in California for bass or other species?” (Steve C., Chico)
Answer:With the amount of money available through tournament fishing these days, anglers are constantly looking for the next big thing to help them catch more and bigger bass. We have received a lot of questions recently regarding the “Alabama Rig” and whether they are legal to use in California. Unfortunately, regulations in California differ from those in Alabama and this type of fishing tackle is not legal
According to competitive bass angler and Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Game Warden Tim Little, the traditional “Alabama Rig” is not legal to use because it contains five separate lures each with a hook. California law allows for a maximum of three lures to be used on an individual line (whether the lure has a single hook as shown in your photograph or uses three hooks as allowed by law.)
In California, “all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) thereto”(California Code of Regulations, section 2.00).
To legally use the Alabama Rig in California inland waters, the rig must be attached to one rod with one line and no more than three of the attached lures containing hooks. Those lures containing hooks may have no more than three hooks attached to each lure. The other two could have hookless teasers. Some people locally have even developed a modified three wire rig (now called a Cali-rig), which is legal.

[YakMedic]

Once again. The above-mentioned ask SCHEDULE is referring to inland waters (freshwater)not the ocean

The 3 hook limit is a fresh water regulation. The saltwater reg is quoted below.

Per the DFG 28.65. GENERAL. Except as provided in this article, fin fish may be taken only on hook and line or by hand. Any number of hooks and lines may be used in all ocean waters and bays except: (a) San Francisco and San Pablo bays between the Golden Gate Bridge and the west Carquinez Bridge, where only one line with not more than three hooks may be used. (b) On public piers, no person shall use more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets, traps or other appliances used to take crabs. (c) When rockfish (genus Sebastes) or lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) are aboard or in possession, whereonly oneline with not more than two hooks may be used pursuant to Sections 28.55 or 28.27, respectively. (d) No gaff hook shall be used to take or assist in landing any finfish shorter than the minimum size limit. Forthepurpose of this section a gaff hook is any hook with or without a handle used to assist in landing fish or to takefish in sucha manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily in its mouth. No person shall take finfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a landing net in possession or available for immediateuseto assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; the opening of any such landing net shall be not less than eighteen inches in diameter. (e) North of Point Conception (34°27’00” N. lat.), where only one rod and line may be used by each anglerfishing forsalmon,or fishing from any boat or floating device with salmon on board. (f) Mousetrap gear prohibited: It is unlawful to use, assist in using,or to possessaboard any vessel,hook-and-line gear commonly termed “mouse traps” constructed of a hook(s) or lure(s), attached to one end of a line that is attached to a float, or floats at the other end, and that when fished, is not attached directly to a person or vessel. Possession of such gear aboard a vessel shall be prima facieevidence that the gear is being used in violation of this regulation. (g) North of Point Conception to Horse Mountain, Section 27.80(a)(3) applies to each angler fishing for salmon or fishing from any boat or floating device with salmon on board.

[Jimmyz123]

Going off what I have been told by 2 professional guides that make a living knowing the regs, and others that sell the rigs, I think I'm pretty sure that the rule applies to Salt and Freshwater. If you were at the Open Bay Bass tournament meeting held they spoke of the rig and showed exactly how we are allowed to rig them. That was for Bay fishing, I will stick to what I've been told by some pros, the rigs are up and coming and are fun to fish.