Outdoors notebook

Fishing changes: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission approved several changes in the 2012 fishing regulations during its regular monthly meeting at Reelfoot Lake State Park.

One of the most significant changes defines the popular umbrella rig or “Alabama Rig” which consists of an array of baits or lures fished on a single line. In Tennessee only three hooks can be used, as opposed to as many as five on an umbrella rig.

“The three-hook change is much simpler and offers a compromise between anglers that wish to fish five hooks and those who feel that only one hook should be used on multi-lure arrays,” said Bobby Wilson, TWRA Fisheries Division Chief.

Single point, double point and treble hooks would be counted as one hook. Sabiki-type rigs, typically used to catch bait fish, will remain legal.

Another new regulation limits the number of river herring (skipjack). A daily creel limit of 100 will be enforced, with a possession limit of 200. Skipjack are a favorite bait for catfishermen and striper fishermen and there has been a growing concern about over-fishing.

No fishermen should require more than 100 skipjack a day for bait.

There were also some adjustments to regulations of specific species on specific waters. Those details will be available on the TWRA website, tnwildlife.org and in the 2013 Tennessee Fishing Guide, available early next year at most outdoors outlets.

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Tackle deals: A “Tackle Flea Market” will be held Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clark Marine on the Peytonville Exit off I-65 near Franklin.

New and used fishing and hunting gear will be available (no guns). Lebanon’s Jim Duckworth will host a booth of tackle and also his latest fishing video “Advanced Crappie Trolling.”

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Hunters on rise: The number of hunters in the U.S. has gone up by nine percent in the past four years, reversing a decades-long decline.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 13.7 million hunters 16 and older hunted last year. That’s up from the 12.5 million who hunted in 2006.

The survey showed that hunters spent more than $30 billion on licenses, gear, firearms and other hunting equipment last year, and averaged 21 days in the field.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR:

Aug. 25-Feb. 28: squirrel season

Sept. 14-Feb. 28: raccoon, possum season

Oct. 26: fall turkey season ends

Nov. 3-Feb. 28: rabbit, quail season

Nov. 3-16: deer muzzleloader season

Nov. 17-Jan. 6: deer gun season

PHOTOS WELCOME: Caught a big bass or a batch of crappie? Bagged a buck or a fall turkey? Share your outdoors photos with readers of The Lebanon Democrat by e-mailing them to andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com