Just talked to the info person at the Region 6 office. They said a plunking rig is not legal in areas where that rule applies. They further said that plunking is not legal in those areas.

hey greg,

I've never heard that before. The skagit has that rule and ppl plunk all the time. I know that treble hooks aren't legal with that rule, but if you plunk with a single hook, it should be legal.

Plunking is legal, however your gear must be in compliance with the anti-snagging rule. Example.... you can fish diving plugs with trebbles during the anti-snagging period, but if you attach a weight/sinker to your line your plug now must comply with the anti-snagging rule. So if your plunking, which is legal to do, just make sure your spin n glo or plug is single point and barbless. It's very simple, if theres a weight/sinker attatched to your line, your lure must be in compliance with the rule. Jigs, spoons, spinners automatically must be single point and barbless, they're weighted and sink....
This info was preached to me from the man who writes tickets.

I'm not sure that every river has to have barbless...

Good grief.

The "man who writes tickets" needs to re-read the anti-snagging rule. A barbed hook is legal.

BTW The anti-snagging rule prohibits weights from being attached "below a lure/bait", which *could* technically make a plunking rig illegal.

Stupid rule really. I preferred the nonbuoyant lure restriction. That was easier to understand and less ambiguities.

not if you're using a wing bobber.

I think you can actually use 2 single point barbed hooks...just not 3

But how many folks actually plunk with a weight above the lure? Most plunking rigs have a dropper set up: weight at the bottom at the end of the mainline, and the lure/bait on a dropper above the weight

I'd think that if your leader is longer than your dropper...then your weight will be above your lure...just make sure it's 12" longer

Fish on...

Todd

Most people do plunk with the weight above the lure, I know I would. That is unless you want your spin n glo/lure laying on the bottom of the river...
Correct, the anti-snagging rule does not mention barbless hooks.

Friends don't let friends plunk.

idk about you guys, but to me, plunking has to be the most boring way to fish...ever.

Update: I talked to a Sgt. in Olympia,he said a plunking rig and other rigs like it ARE legal. I suggested he call the info people at Monte and let them know. We discussed a back bouncing rig and he said it also is legal.

My buddy said he didnt like to plunk. I asked him why, he said "I get to drunk"

So then according to this rule drop shotting could be consider illegal.

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.

Thats what she said