Yo-yo Fishing

December 20, 2012

Question: I know jug fishing, yo-yo fishing and the use of trotlines with 20+ hooks per line are the norm in the South. I am interested in yo-yo fishing in California for catfish and possibly trying a two-jug trotline with 10 to 12 hooks on the line to catch catfish. My question is: In California, are private (non-commercial) fishermen limited to just one line with three hooks max? In reading the regs, it seems that an extra pole endorsement is just that, for an extra pole, not an extra line. (Mark H., San Bruno)

In regard to yo-yo fishing and trotline fishing, here is an article from 2007 Outdoor Life:http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/fishing/2007/09/tackle-free-fishing

Answer: You must closely attend your lines at all times and you are limited to two lines with a maximum of three hooks on each line with a two-pole stamp. Otherwise, you must use a single line with three hooks maximum when fishing bait, or three lures per line which could each have three hooks. It is illegal to allow lines to simply fish themselves while attached to a float. For a similar previous question and answer, please go to: http://californiaoutdoors.wordpress.com/2008/11/.

Can't find any reference to trotline or using jugs for fishing in the 2014-15 California Department of Fish and Game freshwater regulations.

Can't find any reference to trotline or using jugs for fishing in the 2014-15 California Department of Fish and Game freshwater regulations.

because they're not allowed.

Can't find any reference to trotline or using jugs for fishing in the 2014-15 California Department of Fish and Game freshwater regulations.

because they're not allowed.

At least it should say that they are not allowed. For example, can I use a milk jug as my float when fishing by hand, and attached to that milk jug are three baited hooks according to the specs listed in the regulations. Do I need to hold the line while fishing? In the same way, do we need to hold the rod while fishing?

Now let us use two floats on that line with three hooks, one float one each end, and they are effectively a trotline, but it is your hand fishing line that you closely attended.  Just because it is a trotline, doesn't make it automatically illegal when it meets all the basic requirements of fishing by hand using one line.

Please read the The Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations:

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=76652&inline=1

It spells out what is allowed. All other methods are illegal.

1.05. ANGLING.
To take fish by hook and line with the line held in the hand, or with the line attached to a pole or rod held in the hand or closely attended in such manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in its mouth.

2.00. FISHING METHODS--GENERAL.
(a) Except as otherwise authorized, all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto. Anglers in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods in inland waters which regulations provide for the taking of fish by angling, except those waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used. See District Trout, Salmon and Special regulations for exceptions.

So a trotline is legal if it contains no more than three hooks, and is closely attended (except in cases of special water regulations).  You can either have the hook and line with the line held in hand OR closely attended as specifically worded in 1.05. Angling. ....

And in the same way you should be able to use a milk jug but it should be closely attended.

The 'Closely Attended' can be very debatable, and in other forums, just the fishing line within sight of the fisherman is considered closely attended.

And that is why they did not specifically state  that trotline or jug or yoyo fishing are illegal for as long as they are closely attended and they meet the requirements for number of hooks on a line when fishing.  You can only have one fishing line unless you buy a second rod stamp and is allowed in such waters.  Lake Minden for example would only want you to have one line closely attended regardless of your second rod stamp.

Usually a trotline contains 20 baited hooks on the average and having 3 hooks on a line is hardly considered a trotline even if it is arranged to look like one. 

It would also be very hard to fish using a closely attended milk jug whose other line you are not holding in your hand.

If you are not using a fishing rod, the line MUST be held in your hand. If you are using a fishing rod, it can be closely attended. How close is between you, the game warden, and the judge.

If you are not using a fishing rod, the line MUST be held in your hand. If you are using a fishing rod, it can be closely attended. How close is between you, the game warden, and the judge.

1.05 is very poorly written if that is what it is interpreted to be. They have to break this sentence down into two sentences for clarity or a simple one like the one you have stated. In mathematical logic, the use of OR statement is very clear, where ever it occurs in a single sentence it means an OR, and therefore, "OR closely attended" is not not only applied to the rod where the line is held but also to the fishing line. To resolve this, it should be written very clearly, such that the line must be held in hand or the line can be attached to a rod that is closely attended or held.

The DFW can't come up with every single possible permutation of what people would try to do and put it into a rulebook, it would be even longer and completely useless.  So they for the most part spell out what you can do and if it doesn't fit within that, you're not allowed to do it.

Q:  Can you stab a bluegill with a butterknife?
A: (a) Except as otherwise authorized, all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto. Anglers in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods in inland waters which regulations provide for the taking of fish by angling, except those waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used. See District Trout, Salmon and Special regulations for exceptions.

Q:  Can you take a largemouth bass with a salad fork?
A: (a) Except as otherwise authorized, all fish may be taken only by angling with one closely attended rod and line or one hand line with not more than three hooks nor more than three artificial lures (each lure may have three hooks attached) attached thereto. Anglers in possession of a valid two-rod stamp and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods in inland waters which regulations provide for the taking of fish by angling, except those waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used. See District Trout, Salmon and Special regulations for exceptions.

Q: What about a dinner fork?
A:  R u serious bro?

Q:  Can you use a shotgun to take Sturgeon?
A:  SMH

Q:  Rifle?
A:  WTFBBQ

Q:  Are slingshots a method of legal take for Garibaldi?
A:  Leave me alone

Q:  May abalone be taken using a sharpened ax blade as a pry bar?
A:  You need some professional help.

Q:  How many trout are allowed in possession?
A:  Refer to DFW Freshwater Regulations.

Q:  How many salmon are allowed in possession?
A:  Refer to DFW Saltwater Regulations if you're in saltwater, DFW Freshwater Regulations if you're in freshwater.

Q:  How do I know if I'm in saltwater?
A:  Dip your finger in the water and taste it.  If it's salty, you're probably safe with the Saltwater Regulations.

If you are not using a fishing rod, the line MUST be held in your hand. If you are using a fishing rod, it can be closely attended. How close is between you, the game warden, and the judge.

1.05 is very poorly written if that is what it is interpreted to be. They have to break this sentence down into two sentences for clarity or a simple one like the one you have stated. In mathematical logic, the use of OR statement is very clear, where ever it occurs in a single sentence it means an OR, and therefore, "OR closely attended" is not not only applied to the rod where the line is held but also to the fishing line. To resolve this, it should be written very clearly, such that the line must be held in hand or the line can be attached to a rod that is closely attended or held.

I think we should review it from a grammatical standpoint instead of a mathematical one.  I don't think mathematical logic comes into play when we're talking about legal interpretations.  So using this standpoint, the separation of the sentences is using a comma, and it's still terribly worded. 

You don't have to physically hold the line in your hand. You can tie it off to a rock, tree, dock, etc... as long as the line is closely attended (i.e., you can see that line at all times). Tying it to a untethered jug is questionable though. Now, if you tied a rope to the jug, and had a line hanging off the jug...it's more likely to be deemed acceptable than an untethered jug.  The "closely attended" terminology is interpreted at the discretion of each individual warden.
To me, it's not worth the hassle & potential citation. Just hang 3 hooks off a jug then tie it onto your line & cast it out! Then it's just like using a big bobber.

To take fish by hook and line with the line held in the hand, or with the line attached to a pole or rod held in the hand or closely attended in such manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in its mouth.