I bet the Crappie down here would love that set up .
I think they are illegal in many states. I know here you cant have more then two baits on one line. In states like MN you cant troll, or an angler cant use, more then one rod per angler. When I first went to Arkansas I asked at a bait shop how many rods per man are allowed for trolling. He ansered, "how many you got"?
We use dual hook rigs already for perch and crappie but cant use an umbrella rig. Most fresh water fisherman, most of all crappie fisherman, simply use multiple rods instead of such rigs.
I can think of some lakes and species such a rig would work well. Most of all crappie or fresh water stripers. Again the limiting factor is probably fishing Laws in the state and the fact that trolling multiple lines does the same thing, "resemble a school of baitfish". Also while we do have freshwater fisherys where suspended fish are caught its nothing like salt water. Stripers, salmon, trout, and walleye in the Great Lakes are exceptions, some of which are simply planted ocean fish, but many inland lakes, even the deep ones, are difficult when it comes to catching suspended fish. Even many of the ones where you can catch suspended fish they are still never far from structure. And an umbrella rigs looks far to expensive to hang up on weeds or the bottom.
Ive toyed with salt water rigs like meat rigs off of salt water flashers with mixed results. Certainly not as good as the tried and true and not good enought to buy more of. But if legal I wouldnt hesitate to use a light umbrella with minnows for crappie or perch. Most of all crappie.
