Can you rock fish and crab snare at the same time?

Does the crab snare on a rod considered a rod or a trap?  I know you can't use more than 1 rod for rock fish.  Since the method of take for rock fish is with a hook, and a snare is not a hook, but there's a rod component to it.

If you anchor it’ll work… if you drift you’ll just catch the breeze…

Better off dropping traps. I’m not fond of anchoring in 30-50ft of water.

If you anchor it’ll work… if you drift you’ll just catch the breeze…

Better off dropping traps. I’m not fond of anchoring in 30-50ft of water.

I'm looking at the legality of using one rod for rockfish fishing and one rod for crabbing.  I know that you can't use more than one rod for rockfish fishing, so my question is does the 2nd rod that have a snare on it considered a second rod.  If it does, then obviously I can't do both at the same time. 

If you anchor it’ll work… if you drift you’ll just catch the breeze…

Better off dropping traps. I’m not fond of anchoring in 30-50ft of water.

I'm looking at the legality of using one rod for rockfish fishing and one rod for crabbing.  I know that you can't use more than one rod for rockfish fishing, so my question is does the 2nd rod that have a snare on it considered a second rod.  If it does, then obviously I can't do both at the same time.

One rod limit for rockfishing - probably even if all you had was a camera on the other rod.  There's no way wardens or sportsmen around you should be in a position to figure that you're probably just crab snaring/videoing/dangling chum...etc.

One rod limit is one rod limit.

If you anchor it’ll work… if you drift you’ll just catch the breeze…

Better off dropping traps. I’m not fond of anchoring in 30-50ft of water.

I'm looking at the legality of using one rod for rockfish fishing and one rod for crabbing.  I know that you can't use more than one rod for rockfish fishing, so my question is does the 2nd rod that have a snare on it considered a second rod.  If it does, then obviously I can't do both at the same time.

One rod limit for rockfishing - probably even if all you had was a camera on the other rod.  There's no way wardens or sportsmen around you should be in a position to figure that you're probably just crab snaring/videoing/dangling chum...etc.

One rod limit is one rod limit.

I'm sure a handline ninja style would not be an option as well,  I'm sure it's two lines vs. two rods unless I'm mistaken in good ole loophole language life...

So you want to drop a snare and let it sit while fishing for rockfish around structure?  Even if it was legal, sounds like the snare is going to get snagged quite often.  And if you're fishing around structure, then you're more likely to find rock crabs, not dungeness.

So you want to drop a snare and let it sit while fishing for rockfish around structure?  Even if it was legal, sounds like the snare is going to get snagged quite often.  And if you're fishing around structure, then you're more likely to find rock crabs, not dungeness.

I like rock crabs .  I make my own snares, so I'm not too worry about it snagging. 

... I know that you can't use more than one rod for rockfish fishing ...

Apparently, it is not about the rod(s), it is about the number of lines and hooks.

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=190413&inline

Calif Fishing Regs: 28.55. ROCKFISH (Sebastes)

Method of take: When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. For purposes of this section, a hook is a single hook, or a double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank.

The operative here is “angling” … angling is fishing with a line and hook, (or simple with a hook, though that makes no sense). Crabbing with a snare does not involve a hook, it is not “angling”.

Now, flip the question over … instead of questioning if someone can snare for crabs while angling for rock fish, question if someone can angle for rock fish while they are snaring for crabs? I ask because we cannot “angle” for crabs, cannot take crabs with a hook.

Fwiw, at one time the CA DFG had the question of crab snaring and rock fish angling at the same time answered in a FAQ. Yes, you can do both at the same time to the extent it is lawful to do either (crab season open, fishing lic, max number of devices if on a pier, etc).

... I know that you can't use more than one rod for rockfish fishing ...

Apparently, it is not about the rod(s), it is about the number of lines and hooks.

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=190413&inline

Calif Fishing Regs: 28.55. ROCKFISH (Sebastes)

Method of take: When angling, gear is restricted to not more than two hooks and one line. For purposes of this section, a hook is a single hook, or a double or treble hook with multiple points connected to a common shank.

The operative here is “angling” … angling is fishing with a line and hook, (or simple with a hook, though that makes no sense). Crabbing with a snare does not involve a hook, it is not “angling”.

Now, flip the question over … instead of questioning if someone can snare for crabs while angling for rock fish, question if someone can angle for rock fish while they are snaring for crabs? I ask because we cannot “angle” for crabs, cannot take crabs with a hook.

Fwiw, at one time the CA DFG had the question of crab snaring and rock fish angling at the same time answered in a FAQ. Yes, you can do both at the same time to the extent it is lawful to do either (crab season open, fishing lic, max number of devices if on a pier, etc).

Thanks Otis, that is well explained. 

I would be careful if considering that crab snaring is not considered "angling" but it is a means of "take".  It still involves a "line" leading down to a "snare".  I guess it would come down to the discretion of the onsite game warden.

I guess it would come down to the discretion of the onsite game warden.

Yes, I think this is the reality of the situation. If you got a ticket in this scenario, I agree that if you fight it, you should win. In any case, this would be a great question to ask the DFW.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/COQA

DIYLJ wrote:

...Fwiw, at one time the CA DFG had the question of crab snaring and rock fish angling at the same time answered in a FAQ...

It'd be good to have a link to that topic if you've found it