quote:Originally posted by porcupine
The local DOF Officers told me that if the lure is designed to catch either salmon or rockfish then the barbs should be pinched, even if you are only targetting rockfish.
I'm not a lawyer (thank goodness [
] ) but from what I have seen of the regulations, I think that it comes down to what you are targeting. They do not specify the gear used.
For example - a couple of years ago, I had a big Coho grab a chunk of octopuss on a big circle hook and spreader bar rig, right on the bottom. Does that make me illegal? I think not.
In another example, if I wanted to target Halibut by trolling the bottom with a flasher and big Coyote or Tomic spoon, do I need to pinch the barb? I think there is a good chance that I would get a ticket if caught, but I think you could also argue that one in court.
As far as being ticketed for having a jig with barbed hooks, I think it would be easily beat in court.
One problem with cops and enforcement officers - they have a bad tendancy to make up laws on the spot without any basis in reality. If you are told you can't do something, ask them to specify the exact law you are breaking.
If anyone has better info, I'm all ears.
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