In case some of you guys don't go to my site, or the NCBF, there is a major discussion going on right now about an almost unknown F and G regulation (apparently, even by some wardens) that states:

Fishing methods restrictions sec 2.10: (my own words as I remember them, but I encourage you to read this for yourself) no hooks may be used which exceed 3/4" in gap (distance between point and shank of hook) and 2 inches in total length. Treble hooks must not exceed a 5/8 inch gap between point and shank.

So what lures does this include ?
Many spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, not only because of gap, but because of length also.
Many jigs, especially the wide gap variety which are so popular.
Possibly frog baits (although I am not sure what the reg is for double hooks)
And here is a big one for this sight and mine..... Nearly every medium size or larger swimbait with a large single hook ! Which BTW, is measured from where the hook itself actually starts, not the soft plastic back of the lure.

Any of you using large 3/0 or larger trebles on a big swimbait like a 12" MS Slammer, or Castaic trout ? I had really wanted to move up to a 3/0 even for my 9" Castaic, but I guess that's out, as my 2/0 Gamakatsu round bends are barely legal as it is.

Do you like to fish with large plastic worms ? Well unless you want to do this with a 3/0 EWG or smaller, forget it, as they are illegal.

OK, so you say, everybody is doing it and nobody has been ticketed.......
Maybe so, but do you want to risk a record catch over a silly little technicality as this ? Do you want to risk having a tournament win, and maybe a big prize taken away from you because some jealous idiot decides to make the "correct" claim that you, the winner, were using illegal hooks ?

This is HUGE guys ! This needs to be changed ! This is not going to go away by our pretending it does not exist !!!

Finally, keep in mind that there are no gray areas here..... This is not some whackos goofy interpretation of a law, this is fact !!!

Fish

PS, I'm sorry to be the barer of bad news...... believe me, I wish I could go back to last week, when I thought all of my lures were legal..... but once you learn something, you just can't go back and un-learn it. :-(

those are some interesting laws there. actually they make bass fishing almost illegal! o well i say keep fishing

Save a wave, Ride a surfer.

Fish Chris,

I've read the post on NCBF and your website and I believe a number of us shocked. However the big question is what can we do to fix this issue? Has anyone started a grass roots campaign to have this section thrown out or overturned? Who should we contact to express our opinion on this issue?

Vince
vince@theblankslate.com

and that will be one of my questions when I talk to Dan Andreen, the CaDFG Cheif Warden for our region.

I will certainly do my part in getting things changed, or should I say, in getting the currents regs ammended........
but somehow, I kind of feel like something major will have to come of this before people will really start paying attention (ie: citations issued, law suits over illegal prize winnings, etc.) as unfortunately it it human nature to pass most issues off as "somebody elses" problem.

Will keep everyone informed on what I find out.

Fish Chris

Thanks! Please let us know what we can do to help.

Vince
vince@theblankslate.com

I was just thinking about that the other day. I will bet that DFG will not change it for us because they see the hooks for snagging fish. If they change it to say lures over 6" in length any size hook is allowed. I wonder what DFG has to say.

So I am thinking that this would include the 5/0 EWG hooks we have been using with Senkos and such? That is very interesting. I appreciate the heads up on that Chris. Being a bit ignorant of the process, can you point me in the right direction to working with the DFG to attempt to ammend this. Where would I start? I would love to see this changed but have no idea on how to go about it.

Tight Lines,

Clay

Here fishy, fishy, fishy......

Clay

Yes, 4/0 and 5/0 EWG hooks are illegal. As far as what we can do about this..... I have been playing phone tag with Dan Andreen (CaDFG Chief Warden for this region).
As soon as I find out more, I will let everyone know.

Take care,
Fish Chris

I just can't imagine fishing 7 inch Senkos on a 3/0 EWG. This really puts me in a strange position. I have always taken pride in fishing within the regs, but I just do not have confidence throwing the big plastics on a 3/0. I also feel a bit ignorant for not know this already. Please do let us know what you come up with. This is really bugging me!

I have also seen bigger EWG's available from Yamamoto's catalog. Up to 7/0 Superline EWG if I remember correctly. I was gonna pick some up. I thought they would increase the fall rate a bit and caoxe a few reaction bites when flipping.


Tight lines,

Clay

Here fishy, fishy, fishy......

Clay

I was wondering if anybody got a hold of DFG and what they said or what we need to do? I am guessing because of snagging we are just going to have to be illegal.

I had sent a letter to 6 of the highest ranking officials that I could find addresses for, and was contacted shortly thereafter by John Emig. He said that I was making a very valid point, and that quite possibly that regulation should be amended.
He said that this regulation would come up for a review in March of 2003, and that there would be a date in which the general public could attend, and make there opionions known.
I plan to be there.

Will inform you guys of the exact date and meeting location when I find out more.

Fish Chris

Greetings All,

I have not read the reg's that apply nor do I know the reg.
stated in the original post yet (currently looking into it). 
There is only one clarification that the DFG needs to make: 
the hooks the DFG refer to apply only to live and/or formerly
live "BAIT" hooks.

It seems to me that "BAIT" hooks are what this
regulation applies too and that hooks on artifical baits are
exempt from it.  Therefore until DFG makes this clear I feel
that I am not breaking the law and will continue using the
gear that I currently have in the box.

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