Anti-snagging rule question

[Mike Carey]

So, this may seem like a stupid question, but I'm not really clear on the anti-snagging rule in all it's subtleties. Here is the rule:

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.

My question is about the weight part of the rule, and it's this:

"no weights attached...". So, if I make a spinner-type lure and have hook, then spinner body (which is technically a "weight"), then bead, then spinner blade, is this legal? Are spinners not legal on rivers that have the anti-snagging rule? My first read on this reg was attaching a weight separate of the lure, on the line less than 12", but the more I read the reg the more I had some doubts. (no offense to the lawyers out there, but how you can think like a lawyer all day is beyond me, I would be having chronic headaches!)

And to take it one step further, what about spoons? The spoon is made of metal, i.e., it's a "weight" that allows you to cast. Are spoons illegal as well?

Maybe I'm just reading this whole reg too literally.

[BentRod]

Mike,
Not a stupid question at all. It's been a confusing rule and much debated here and on other forums as well. I believe the consensus and word from Olympia is that as long as the weight is part of the lure (body) then you're ok, but one cannot add additional weight below or within 12" above the lure/hook. Where I saw the biggest debate was regarding jigs. When the rule first came out many fishermen were up in arms because it seemed a lot of wardens didn't even know the correct interpretation of the law, so citations were being given on lures that were deemed legal and when asked what the rule meant the definition would change between wardens. At any rate, now that the rule has been around a while things seemed to have mellowed a bit, but I'm sure there are still a few wardens that might enforce their own interpretation. However, it's my opinion, as long as the weight is part of the lure (molded in or part of - like the inline weight on a spinner or the molded lead on a jig head) then you're ok. But, say adding a split shot a few inches above your spinner would be illegal unless it was 12" minimum. While I was fishing on Saturday a gentleman came down and struck up a conversation with me. He wanted to try floating eggs on the Green and I told him about the challenge of keeping the eggs down in the holding area. He said he'd just use a cheater weight which acts like a non-boyant corky. I told him that by my interpretation of the anti-snagging rule I didn't think that would be a legal setup unless the cheater weight was pegged 12" above the hook. I don't know if he agreed with me, but I suggested the use of a jig head in it's place to stay within the law. Just an example of how opinions vary on the interpretation of the anti-snagging rule. One thing that I am unclear on regarding the rule is that I see a lot of people using buzz bombs on the Duamish and have always suspected that that type of lure would actually be considered illegal under the anti-snagging law, but don't have any clue if that's correct or not.
FWIW.

[Anglinarcher]

I have lived in the state since 1999 and I tell people that every time I go fishing I violate a law. I don't plan to do it, I don't ever know which one it is, but as complex as the rules are in WA I just know that I am.

What is fun is fishing with a fish cop or state F&W employee and having discussions with them on what they are doing that is illegal that even they did not know. LOL

It is my belief that BentRod is correct, but ...... our opinion is not a legal opinion.

[Braddo]

What is the consensus on using treble hooks on diving lures like wigglers? The way I read it, with no weight attached to the line treble hooks are okay when I am casting or trolling but if I were to add a weight and plunk do I now need to remove one of the hooks and change the other one to single point?

[natetreat]

If you plunk a plug, you can't have weight. This can problem can be solved by using a side planer, which is actually more effective anyway. The way I see it, a jig is a lure, the painted bait weight is a lure, a buzz bomb is a lure, and the warden that I've talked to about it up on the Sky says that that's how he sees it. Although a jig is a perfect tool to snag fish with, it's technically a lure, so what're you going to do? Traditionally, snagging is done with weighted trebles, or a big weight with a bunch of hooks on the mainline, and that's what this is trying to do. I remember the "non-buoyant lure restriction" from a while back, this one is just trying to be super specific. I think it would be better if they just put a drawing of snagging setups with a big red NO circle. That way there would be no misunderstanding of the regulations. I think that ESL fishermen have an even harder time understanding this one as well, the pictorial would help things out a lot.

[Braddo]

I like the idea of using a planar board instead of a weight for plunking but what's your reasoning behind the statement "If you plunk a plug, you can't have weight."? Seems like it would be legal with the right hook configuration and as long as the weight was attached to a drop line 12+" above the lure.

[skagit510]

i agree with Nate and bentrod on this Mike. i also agree that it is a confusing rule. however the spirit of the rule is good and not confusing. jigs were a hot issue in my neck when their use became more wide spread. like Nate states a jig is easily used as a snagging device, and some use it that way intentionally and unintentionally. its been my experience most if not all wardens will overlook small technicalities and interpretations in favor of the spirit of the rule.

[natetreat]

I like the idea of using a planar board instead of a weight for plunking but what's your reasoning behind the statement "If you plunk a plug, you can't have weight."? Seems like it would be legal with the right hook configuration and as long as the weight was attached to a drop line 12+" above the lure.

You can plunk a plug with weight with a siwash yes. But it's so much more effective to plug a run from the bank with a planer. You can also snag fish with a bobber and eggs too. Although it's always a surprise when it happens. And a nasty old pink.

[RiverChromeGS]

its been my experience most if not all wardens will overlook small technicalities and interpretations in favor of the spirit of the rule.

Yep exactly. Even if it was technically not allowed, a warden aint gonna give anyone crap about using a spinner in anti snagging waters

[kodacachers]

My unofficial legal opinion is that "Weights may not be attached below or less
than 12" above the lure or bait" clearly (lawyers use "clearly" when they mean just the opposite) is intended to distinguish a weighting device from a lure, regardless of whether the lure acts as a weighting device. ;-)

[Bodofish]

As was explained to me by the "experts" at WDFW. Take your lure, toss it in the water. If it floats your good with a treble if it sinks, you'd better have a single. The wording is just stupid, I don't know why they added from a boat or floating device when they meant, fishing anywhere, boat, shore, wading, tubing..... So lure floats no weights to the line = good. if you're not getting deep enough, use a long leader and put another diver on the line..... It better float too.....

[Bodofish]

The planer board is an interesting concept for plunking. Although I'm not really sure that plunking really fits the snagging criteria. Plunking is not what I would call an actively engaged form of fishing. In plunking you toss out your junk and wait for a fish to happen along and bite your offering. Snagging is more of a rip and thrash... I do like the planer board, very close to what the WDFW suggested, the additional diver. I was asking about pulling plugs from the boat at the time.

[natetreat]

As was explained to me by the "experts" at WDFW. Take your lure, toss it in the water. If it floats your good with a treble if it sinks, you'd better have a single. The wording is just stupid, I don't know why they added from a boat or floating device when they meant, fishing anywhere, boat, shore, wading, tubing..... So lure floats no weights to the line = good. if you're not getting deep enough, use a long leader and put another diver on the line..... It better float too.....

the boat wording it lets you use two hooks when you're boondogging.

[skagit510]

are you allowed trebles on a floating lure like a plug? i thought they changed that years ago.

[FishingThePacNW]

What about float fishing? for floating eggs my setup is float, inline weight, leader then eggs but to keep the eggs vertical i put some split shots on the leader, prob 6-8 inches from the hook? is that illegal?

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

What about float fishing? for floating eggs my setup is float, inline weight, leader then eggs but to keep the eggs vertical i put some split shots on the leader, prob 6-8 inches from the hook? is that illegal?

Illegal, yes. under the defnition set forth in the regs. Since the weight is less than 12 inches above the bait.

Whether or not a warden will give you a ticket for it, is a different question.

[Bodofish]

What about float fishing? for floating eggs my setup is float, inline weight, leader then eggs but to keep the eggs vertical i put some split shots on the leader, prob 6-8 inches from the hook? is that illegal?

Illegal, yes. under the defnition set forth in the regs. Since the weight is less than 12 inches above the bait.

Whether or not a warden will give you a ticket for it, is a different question.

Pretty sure you're fine kid. The anti-snagging rule has to do with the use of treble hooks. If you're using them under a float, you're a bold man that likes to buy gear.

[Bodofish]

are you allowed trebles on a floating lure like a plug? i thought they changed that years ago.

Trebles are fine on a plug (floating). I personally would not use any weight when pulling plugs even if it looks ok to weight 12" or more above the lure. I'm just going by what they said at the local enforcement office. I'm sure they have meetings to discuss the regs so they can at least be sort of on the same page. That said you never know when one is going to have a bug up his @$$.

[racfish]

When Im plunking in the higher water I use a 6 oz weight. That holds me in place. I tie my plug on 18-22" leader and slide my Wiggle Wort or Hot Shot down into the water. It floats above the weight.Ive been doing this for umpteen years. Its how we did it at the Locks years ago using flatfish too. According to how we read the rules its totally ok. Ive had wardens watch me do that. I think as long as the Lure isnt tied down so it cant move is illegal. To drop one down my line with a swivel is ok.

[Bodofish]

I think plunking is totally different method of fishing and not really covered by anti-snagging, at least the intent of the law. It's totally passive fishing, toss out your junk and wait for them to come by. I've never snagged a fish plunking anything, everyone of them hooked square in the mouth. Boy did we used to catch some dandies at the locks or what! Thanks Hershel!!!!!! Die a painful death for you and your brothers and sisters! Die!!!!!