I listened to OD Line Sat. and Rich give his take on the anti snagging rule . Rich says no to fishing more than one hook on a bouyant lure-and has been warning and or citing guys for using the traditional two wing bobber and multiple hooks set up. I have called WDFW enforcement in Oly twice ( thursday and friday) and talked with two different people. They both said it is legal to fish the traditional two winger-bouyant lure- multiple hook set up. The regs dont read any differently this year concerning the anti snagging rule than they have in the past. So why all of a sudden is RP and his buds busting our chops over this- when their own dept. says its ok to do? I've been checked in the past plunking with the two bobber multiple hook set up and no problem. On the Columbia guys are fishing a 3 bobber mutiple hook lash up. What gives.

Send one of those two respondents in Oly an email setting forth the issue and requesting a response in writing. Assuming the written response is consistent with their verbal then carry it with you as your "get out of jail free" card and as an educational moment.

Well said, Larry.
A copy of this thread as well would be the final nail.

are you talking about the Skagit?

I believe he is speaking of the Skagit. I was told the same thing by the man up there.

Anyway's some clarification would be great. In my interpretation of the regs...it reads no second hook when there is a weight on the bottom. Somthin like that. I am planning on attending next years meeting to get this rule fixed.

It seems these new rules and regulations are making it harder and harder on the license buyers of this state.

I mean really..the Skagit is at 24 ft right now.
There is "NO" snagging going on at this time. So it begs the question...
"why?"

Those Sockeye...LUV DA BARE BOBBER

well, in the areas that are open for salmon, there is the anti snagging rule in effect...

a bouyant lure is one that floats, like stated in the regs, such as a corkie, Okie, wing bobber, ect... UNTIL you put a weight on the line, then it is no longer a "bouyant lure", and therefore you can only use 1 single point hook...

if wing bobbers with weights on them were considered a bouyant lure, and couldnt fall into the anti snagging rule, you would see every moron and his brother fishing 2 hook rigs with spin n glows snagging the hell out of fish drift fishing... the AS rule makes that impossible...

its pretty simple actually...

What about the three wing bobber set up you see the plunkers on the Columbia using ? Hog lining with a Kwikfish or herring or spinner? Saw no issues from enforcement down there. I sent off an email to wdfw enforcement last friday. Will see what they say. Sure wish wdfw would get their s..t together. I mean we're plunking for cryin out loud!

A. If those plunkers/hogliners are downstream of Bonneville Dam, then the anti-snagging rule is not in effect there. Upstream of Bonny, the anti-snagging rule does not go into effect until Aug 1.


B. The anti-snagging rule does seem to require only one single-point hook, if weight has been added to the line that is connected to a buoyant lure:

Anti-Snagging Rule Except when fishing with
a buoyant lure (with no weights added to the
line or lure), or trolling from a vessel or floating
device, terminal fishing gear is restricted to a
lure or bait with one single-point hook. Hooks
must measure ¾" or less from point to shank,
and must be attached to or below the lure or
bait. Weights may not be attached below or less
than 12" above the lure or bait.

a Kwikfish without weight added to the line is a bouyant lure...

We are sorry to hear reports that some believe WDFW is providing inconsistent information regarding the interpretation of the anti-snagging rule. I am not sure who you called and talked with, sfstilly, or what was said, but I can share with you what the rule states, how our Fish and Wildlife Officers are interpreting the rule, and what enforcement action they are taking.

In the current fishing pamphlet, page 39, under Skagit River;

All Species-June 16-Nov 30: night closure and anti-snagging rule.
Page 10: Anti-Snagging Rule; Except when fishing with a buoyant lure (no weights added to the line or lure), or trolling from a vessel or floating device, terminal fishing gear is restricted to a lure or bait with one single point hook. Hooks must measure ¾ inch or less from point to shank, and must be attached to or below the lure or bait. Weights may not be attached below or less than 12 inches above the lure or bait.

A common fishing technique for sockeye salmon is to use two “spin n glo” corkies, each equipped with a hook and both anchored to the river bottom by a weight. Although this “spin n glo” set up isn’t likely to be used for snagging fish, it does have two hooks, and is therefore in violation of the anti-snagging rule.

Managing and participating in the first ever sockeye fishery on the Skagit River has been a learning experience for all of us. Enforcement of the anti-snagging rule on the Skagit by FWOs during the sockeye fishery has been one of education and giving verbal warnings. To date, NO citations have been issued for violations of the anti-snagging rule. We have coordinated our response to inquiries with area fish biologists and customer service staff, and are working very hard to consistently provide the same information. While we empathize with those who have traditionally fished with multiple hooks, we can't ignore the law. But instead we will consider removing the anti-snagging rule condition if this fishery is to repeat itself in future years.

I hope this information is helpful. OG

Wow. That's a darn good response.

OG
I appreciate your response. We've been going by the rule but were confused by the info I had recieved from Olympia. It's good to see that wdfw folk read this board and respond to posts to get information out.
Thanks for clearing this up. Keep up the good work.
And uhh sorry about the crack about getting the s..t together.
SFSTILLY

OG... I appreciate all you contrutions to the HuntWA forum and am glad to see your sharing of the Agency's perspective here as well! It definitley clears the air.

This type of outreach from WDFW make my proud of our State. Thanks!

on page 10 definition of anti -snagging rule -- except when fishing with a bouyant lure "WITH NO WEIGHTS ADDED TO THE LINE OR LURE" ------------------ terminal gear is restricted to a lure or bait with ONE SINGLE POINT HOOK. So unless you are not using any lead you cannot use a 2 hook set up. This is the way I read this reg.

on page 10 definition of anti -snagging rule -- except when fishing with a bouyant lure "WITH NO WEIGHTS ADDED TO THE LINE OR LURE" ------------------ terminal gear is restricted to a lure or bait with ONE SINGLE POINT HOOK. So unless you are not using any lead you cannot use a 2 hook set up. This is the way I read this reg.