The terms "above" and "below" are relative in relation to the end of the line, not location in the water. If it were not this way, a standard drift rig would be illegal.

On a side note, I've had people question a jig being legal since the weight is not "12 or more inches" from the lure. With the weight being "part" of the rig, it is also legal.

Pretty sad when even representatives of WDFW don't even correctly interpret the regulations.
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"If people don't occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you're doing something wrong." John Gierach