Catch 22 in Salmon Regs

The rules for salmon and rockfish/lingcod are not very hard to figure out and follow, IMO...

Why not a single barb less, circle hook for Salmon trolling & mooching?  Wouldn't it easy for everyone to follow?

Yes, just use barbless circle hooks for both trolling and mooching if you have bad memory like me.

not first hand but I have been told that some wardens run a q tip along the bent back barb.  If it catches cotton, they say it is still a barb.

not first hand but I have been told that some wardens run a q tip along the bent back barb.  If it catches cotton, they say it is still a barb.

In the regs it says a pinched barb is considered barbless. Carry that section with you if you are worried about a ticket and point out to the warden if it becomes an issue. 

not first hand but I have been told that some wardens run a q tip along the bent back barb.  If it catches cotton, they say it is still a barb.

In the regs it says a pinched barb is considered barbless. Carry that section with you if you are worried about a ticket and point out to the warden if it becomes an issue.

From page 22 of the 2013-2014 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/sportfishing_regs2013.asp:

1.19. BARBLESS HOOK. A fish hook from which the barb or barbs have been removed or completely bent closed, or which is manufactured without barbs.

If it still catches cotton, then is it not "completely bent closed"?

Probably how they read it so its how they ticket it 

because a circle hook doesn't work when trolling

why i do not fish for salmon=== too many rules to follow and interpit. 

The regs aren't that difficult and they have been repeated on here so many times its ridiculous.  Its been this way for a few years now.

This is why I like to keep salmon after I halibut fish, but its really not necessary, but I get bored halibut fishing so its fun to have a sanddab rig going.

But there are days like this power boat had to today in Trinidad.  I was supposed to go out today and on my kayak, but I put it off til tomorrow.  Hopefully it will be similar to this:

Good bite along the 03 line in 130-140 feet of water. Several folks reporting 30+lb fish on the radio. My friend Dave got a 33.4 lber. Went solo after another crew cancellation (sick kid at home), released a couple and kept a decent pair, done on salmon by 9AM. Ran out to about 220 feet and pinned a salmon belly to a barbless circle hook. Released a 15-20lb chicken butt, had a 2nd grab that did not stick, then landed a 38lber, done on halibut at 10:05AM!

I was reading an article the other day where they were comparing the vast bulk of California laws (and their role in fundraising for LEO) to the corruption of Mexican cops...

Dare I ask where?   

In re-reading the regs, it looks like you could rig lures with double-barbless hooks Kokanee style, but would you want to?

So, from my understanding Big Hammer jig is still legal (with salmon on board) as long as i grind down the barb? That the circle hook rule doesnt apply here?

Also, would I be able to use 2 shrimp fly setup (hi/lo rig) as long as theyre barbless OR would they be illegal since the 2 Hooks are more than 5inches apart?

Im so sorry for the noob questions. This whole Salmon/RF combo regulation is new to me. I really would like to fish knowing Im not doing anything illegal.


Herb

if angling by any means other than trolling, then no more
than two (2) single point, single shank, barbless circle hooks shall be used.

I mentioned this in another post but if you are jigging, you need to use barbless circle hooks so jigging a swimbait on a jig head with a pinched barb would not be legal. You could troll it and it would be legal. I use a troohing technique with jigs which gives you the ability to work the jig vertically and still be trolling and therefore a barbless J hook would be legal.

As Scallen said, circle hooks don't work for trolling unless your trolling speed is real slow.

Also, would I be able to use 2 shrimp fly setup (hi/lo rig) as long as theyre barbless OR would they be illegal since the 2 Hooks are more than 5inches apart?

Herb

illegal because they are more than 5" apart and not circle hooks.

If you want to fish rockfish and salmon at the same time, the best way to do that is to only use salmon legal tackle for trolling and mooching. Bring a couple bags of chovies and you are good to go.

Aight got it. Thanks Scott. I've discussed this with my group before, but just making really sure.

Dear Lord, please help us!!   

BAIT IS WHAT REQUIRES THE FIXED CIRCLE HOOKS.

A barbless shrimpfly rig or leadhead IS legal for salmon if you're not using bait.

Dear Lord, please help us!!   

BAIT IS WHAT REQUIRES THE FIXED CIRCLE HOOKS.

A barbless shrimpfly rig or leadhead IS legal for salmon if you're not using bait.

The distinction in the regs is trolling vs non-trolling not bait vs not-bait.