Regulations question

[Tungsten,]

If you had a spring on your rod holder that snapped up when you had a bite would it be legal?

The regs say

•Possess a snagging device while angling.
•Use gaffs, gaff hooks or spring-loaded hooks.

[nicemustang]

A spring? Hmm....I'd would call F&W to ask for sure because I don't know. Are you talking about that automatic jigging thing and there is a spring to set the hook? (can't remember the name of it)

Not much different though than a windlass tip-up or an automatic fisherman. (both of which I have and use)

[chubbdarter]

there is also a mechanically triggered tip up on the market
the windlass does not set a hook so that might be a nother discussion...

[nicemustang]

Good point. I'd call to be sure.

[deanmc]

Google spring loaded hooks. They are entirely different than the automatic fisherman.

[Braun]

http://www.springhook.com/EZ-PhotoAl...ks/index1.html

I wouldnt use most of these things just because they would be a pain. But i agree that i'd call fish and wild life. I know what you are talking about and i have seen videos on them. really no different than a larger version of the auto fisherman

[diamonddave]

Originally Posted by Braun

http://www.springhook.com/EZ-PhotoAl...ks/index1.html

I wouldnt use most of these things just because they would be a pain. But i agree that i'd call fish and wild life. I know what you are talking about and i have seen videos on them. really no different than a larger version of the auto fisherman

Lots of the ones in the pics on that web site are DEFINATELY illegal..... If there is a spring on the actual hook it can not be used. Not sure about the spring being on the rod holder to release the tension on the rod, to set the hook??

[Photoplex]

In the regs (Page 15):

Snagging – means attempting to catch or catching a fish using a hook:
(a) other than to induce the fish to voluntarily take the hook in its
mouth; or
(b) by intentionally piercing and hooking a fish in any part of the
body other than the mouth.

Snagging Device – means:
(a) an instrument that is designed for the purpose of snagging fish;
or
(b) hooks or lures that are altered to facilitate the snagging of fish.

In summary:

• Snagging means too hook a fish anywhere other than its mouth (foul hooking)
• A snagging device is a device to facilitate foul hooking

Neither the Windlass, or the Automatic Fisherman, fit into these categories.

[RayL42]

A few years back a friend got a ticket for using a rat trap to automatically set the hook while ice fishing. I don’t know any other details though.

[Photoplex]

I am also wondering if "spring loaded hooks" is some kind of gaffing device - as it's mentioned in the same line. If it was some kind of terminal tackle (hook) it would be mentioned in the hooks section, not the gaffs section.

[Photoplex]

Lastly, I just found these awesome Bill Dance hooks at BPS:



Now, the purpose of those springs is to hold on nugget baits (power bait pastes, nuggets, marshmallows etc) which is brilliant.

However, I wonder if a CO saw this, he would mistakenly think it was a "spring loaded hook" and ticket you?