Off season question

[WIbassfisherman]

I had a question posed to me recently and I couldn't come up with an answer that I was certain of. Here in Wisconsin our season on inland waters will be opening back up for game fish next weekend. Now, most people prior to this time "panfish" or migrate to the rivers and flowages so they can still fish for those gamefish (bass, walleye, northern).

This guy asked me if you could go out to a lake during this offseason period and pitch jigs to docks for practice if the hooks were cut off, or could you tie a 1/2 oz bell sinker and do the same. I never thought about it. Opinions? Comments?

[JB]

I bet not, due to the confusion seen by the DNR in your state that your activities would promote others to fish the conventional ways, because others would'nt be able to tell that you have altered the hooks, and are fishing for real..its either that or getting called in by upset anglers that cant get out to bass fish....around here the dnr would spot ya and question you, or ticket you..it depends on how well your dnr agents are in patroling the areas.

[keithdog]

Interresting question. I live here in Indiana and I once asked a DNR person about fishing in Lake Michigan for perch. I asked him what if you catch a salmon or trout and you don't have a trout/salmon stamp? He told me that would be ok as long as I released it back to the lake. So taking that into consideration, I would think practice casting with a de-hooked jig would be ok. I'd call your DNR and ask them.

[jooleyen]

Wierd, because I'm in Wisconsin too, and I asked the DNR the same thing. I called on the phone and they said just explain yourself, but I guess it's really up to the person that comes up to you.

[WIbassfisherman]

Thanks guys I'll relay your advice. I personally wouldn't chance it because if someone is having a bad day they can turns yours bad pretty quickly...if you get my drift. They would have a hard time convicting you of anything, but like I said, you're on the water to enjoy yourself and "they" might make it so that doesn't happen.

I can also understand how annoyed they'd be if people observing you called you in. Just makes more work for the thinned out DNR and I'd rather have them out there addressing the overbagging, undersized fish, etc.

[FlyRod]

"Mommy, what's an 'off-season'"
"Shhhhhhh, honey! You'll embarass our Yankee friends."
"Huh?"
"Well, you see, sweetie, some people don't have year-round fishing, the poor dears."
"MOM! You're scaring me!"
"Never fear, darling, WE are in TEXAS!"
"Oh...right! Whew!"

And that, boys and girls, is our show for this week.
Remember to eat your Wheaties and brush after every meal!

Uncle Fly

[zooker]

Originally Posted by FlyRod

"Mommy, what's an 'off-season'"
"Shhhhhhh, honey! You'll embarass our Yankee friends."
"Huh?"
"Well, you see, sweetie, some people don't have year-round fishing, the poor dears."
"MOM! You're scaring me!"
"Never fear, darling, we are in North "BY GOD" Carolina
"Oh...right! Whew!"

i second funkle fly's statement..

zooker

[Patrick Krueger, Jr.]

I'd do it. What are they gonna' do? Seriously, what is the fine for casting bell sinkers into the water?

[zooker]

pursuit is the wording on most states. better use a pratice plug i am sure they will get ya for some thing.. remember hunting/fishing regulations in alot of states date back 200+ years..and they are still on the books. though rarely enforced..




zooker