25 replies to this topic

[ROCbass]

From the NYSDEC Fishing Guidelines Book:





The image I posted above is a snagging or grappling hook.

I don't see how any of those regs would apply here. By this definition, snatching is taking fish with hooks when not attracted by bait or artificial lure. If the fish went over and picked it up, it was attracted by it. Either the weight, or the hook itself would be considered the lure in this case IMO. It's the same as dropping a bare hook in the water and having a bluegill hit it, which I see happen all the time. Also, he wasn't repeatedly jerking his rod attempting to snag the fish, so that doesn't fit either. All the stuff about where and when you can and can't ****** is irrelevant if he wasn't in NY. Finally, I don't have the reg book in front of me but IIRC last box is a specific regulation about the trout/salmon spawning run. Any jig over 1/8 ounce, or a keel weighted swimbait hook would fit the definition of a hook with added weight in that case, but it doesn't apply to bass fishing.

[Glenn]

Ryan,
You're perfectly entitled to voice your opinion - just do so in a respectful manner. Calling people names, or implying they're stupid has never been tolerated here. Ever. That's why I removed one of your posts.

You know that. Why do I even need to remind you, of all people?

In the famous words of Monday Night Football - C'mon Man!

[J Francho]

I don't see how any of those regs would apply here. By this definition, snatching is taking fish with hooks when not attracted by bait or artificial lure. If the fish went over and picked it up, it was attracted by it. Either the weight, or the hook itself would be considered the lure in this case IMO. It's the same as dropping a bare hook in the water and having a bluegill hit it, which I see happen all the time. Also, he wasn't repeatedly jerking his rod attempting to snag the fish, so that doesn't fit either. All the stuff about where and when you can and can't ****** is irrelevant if he wasn't in NY. Finally, I don't have the reg book in front of me but IIRC last box is a specific regulation about the trout/salmon spawning run. Any jig over 1/8 ounce, or a keel weighted swimbait hook would fit the definition of a hook with added weight in that case, but it doesn't apply to bass fishing.

They're examples why such rigs are banned in certain situations, and that support MY OPINION. That's all. A sliding treble on the tagline of a drop shot rig is impractical (a hang up machine) and is going to result in foul hooked bass. It's like a fish eating the bobber on a slip float rig - yes, it's happened to me - and getting hooked. It's not fishing, TO ME.

Ask an econ officer next time you see one what they think of the rig. I'd like to know.

[ROCbass]

They're examples why such rigs are banned in certain situations, and that support MY OPINION. That's all. A sliding treble on the tagline of a drop shot rig is impractical (a hang up machine) and is going to result in foul hooked bass. It's like a fish eating the bobber on a slip float rig - yes, it's happened to me - and getting hooked. It's not fishing, TO ME.

Ask an econ officer next time you see one what they think of the rig. I'd like to know.

Maybe I misread the OP, but I didn't get the impression it was a sliding treble, but that the treble and the dropshot weight were basically fixed together on the line, almost like a jig but not actually molded to the hook shank. I'm not sure if that changes your opinion any or not, nor does it matter to me if it does. You certainly are entitled to you opinion, and if you don't like the rig then don't fish it. I just don't see how it could be considered snagging, at least by the letter of the law here in NY, if the fish picks it up in its mouth. As far as asking an ECO about the rig, I have never run into one while fishing, so I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for a response to that, lol. I will say that even though I disagree with you in that I don't think there's anything wrong with the rig when fished the way the OP described, I do think that it would be enough to make an ECO suspicious, and probably wouldn't fish it myself for that reason.

[J Francho]

I don't think the OP was trying to foul hook the fish either. But I don't think the rig is kosher. A weighted treble hook is pretty much illegal in our waters.

[BrianinMD]

I would love to see someone explain to a DNR rep they were really not trying to snag fish with that rig. By the letter of the law its a rig used for snagging, in this one instance it got bit. That will not get you out of a fine if caught with it no matter what your personal thoughts on the rig are.

[Ratherbfishing]

I would love to see someone explain to a DNR rep they were really not trying to snag fish with that rig. By the letter of the law its a rig used for snagging, in this one instance it got bit. That will not get you out of a fine if caught with it no matter what your personal thoughts on the rig are.

Agreed. The rig was a clever solution to a problem however I doubt too many DNR folks would properly interpret your intentions if they happened upon you. They would not know you weren't attempting to snag a fish. As you described it, I don't think it's any more unethical than any other method a fisherman uses to dupe a fish however, just like the member who got fined for using a small silver casting spoon to fish for bass without a trout stamp, it'd be difficult to convince a "game warden" or a judge that your intentions were honorable. Not worth it.

[Bass Junkie]

He adapted to the situation... If he did snag it and posted this, he should be fined. If he did exactly what he said he did, I can find no fault in it. I would've tried it myself, but would not have set the hook unless the bass ate it. In his case it did, he did, he caught the fish.... It would be hard to explain to an Officer no doubt......

[bassh8er]

I have the PERFECT bed fishing bait for you, then:



Seriously, the way that he describes rigging isn't fishing. Problem solving, yes. Fishing, no. The fish should bite the bait, hooks and all. Otherwise, we might as well just use as many hook points as is legal (15 in NY) above the weight. Any econ officer up here sees the rig, you're getting cut off and written up.

If that was a Rage craw dipped in JJ's instead of a white grub, would that be sporting?

[Zeeso]

I had no intentions of breaking any regulations I was just trying to think of a way to catch the fish. He ate it, I didn't foul hook or snag him. I mean he was aggressively attacking the weight. On one cast, I actually casted 3 or 4 feet beyond the bed, and as soon as my rig hit the water, he darted at the weight and attacked it. I could reel the fish for a good 4-5 seconds before it came out , because there was no hook on it at that time. Ive had bass clear my lure from the bed before, but its much more relaxed, they nose down on it slowly and just gulp it up. This was an aggressive attack. I mean... if he was just clearing the bed, why was it that when I used a tube he would just swim off, clearly not interested in my tube laying in the middle of its bed. For some reason he was attracted to the weight, I can't think of any reason why but that is sure what it seemed. Anywho, no harm was intended, just trying to adapt. Thanks for all your input!

[WookieeJedi]

I had no intentions of breaking any regulations I was just trying to think of a way to catch the fish. He ate it, I didn't foul hook or snag him. I mean he was aggressively attacking the weight. On one cast, I actually casted 3 or 4 feet beyond the bed, and as soon as my rig hit the water, he darted at the weight and attacked it. I could reel the fish for a good 4-5 seconds before it came out , because there was no hook on it at that time. Ive had bass clear my lure from the bed before, but its much more relaxed, they nose down on it slowly and just gulp it up. This was an aggressive attack. I mean... if he was just clearing the bed, why was it that when I used a tube he would just swim off, clearly not interested in my tube laying in the middle of its bed. For some reason he was attracted to the weight, I can't think of any reason why but that is sure what it seemed. Anywho, no harm was intended, just trying to adapt. Thanks for all your input!

Brother, I don't see much difference in your rig and a regular snap rig (aka, jika rig) without a soft plastic attached. If it enticed a gamefish to take it up into his mouth, and you set the hook; then that's no different that what every single one of us does every time we go fishing. If I somehow got on a bare-hook pattern, you bet I would be fishing with a bare hook. Your rig would be perfectly legal in Louisiana and Arkansas, where I hold licenses, but I am unsure about NY. In my experience, if you can think of it, if it works, or if it's fun; it's probably illegal in NY and CA.