Is this legal?

**Team M&M** · 04-01-2007, 01:37 PM

Dad called me this morning as it was raining and asked me if I want to go catfishing at Buhlow lake. I said sure and we went to the boat ramp at red river and caught some shad to use for bait. By this time the rain was starting to slow down and stop. We got there and threw out our poles and I caught 3 in about 30 minutes.
Around this time, we noticed a boat putting in the water, and a man motored to the far north side of the lake. A few minutes later we noticed something floating down the water and couldnt really see what it all was. I went to the truck and got out a pair of binoculars and we counted 54 jug lines. He dropped em at the top of the lake and was letting the wind carry them down. There was a whole bunch of them and 54 is not an exageration. We saw him checking them and pulling in a lot of crappie. I could see him through the binocs pulling what im guessing was shiners out of a bucket in his boat and re-baiting the lines. On closer inspection, I saw he was using regular 20 ounce coke bottles, that he had painted orange or painted the inside orange. He was catching so many crappie that it made my skin crawl. I know its legal to fish this way for catfish but is this legal for crappie or other game fish as well? Is there no limit to how many jugs you can place out at a time? If he would of had like 12 lines out, I could of cared less, but he had so many out that it was obvious he was there to meet his limit and meet it as fast as possible.
Im just curious if its legal to do this for crappie?

**shadow** · 04-01-2007, 01:42 PM

Good question Team M&M. I don't know the answer but maybe someone on here does.

I thought it was illegal to put yo-yo's out for crappie or any other game fish for that matter but I hear of people doing it all the time.

I know if you catch crappie in hoop nets they are supposed to be immediately returned to the water.

**Marshrat** · 04-01-2007, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by shadow

Good question Team M&M. I don't know the answer but maybe someone on here does.

I thought it was illegal to put yo-yo's out for crappie or any other game fish for that matter but I hear of people doing it all the time.

I know if you catch crappie in hoop nets they are supposed to be immediately returned to the water.

I am with you on this one Dwyane. The yo-yo's kind of fall in that grey area as bow fishing for game species. It is legal to bow fish for reds & specks, which are classified as "game fish". On the other hand it is illegal to bow fish bass, sac-a-lait, and bream which are also classified as "game fish".

The best bet would be to call your local LDWF agent or office and ask them that question. You will probably get 50 different answers here.

Warren

**icegator** · 04-01-2007, 02:52 PM

I would call and find out. I would guess it's not legal.

**Mo'nBack** · 04-01-2007, 04:20 PM

Yo yoing is legal for crappie as long as it's not against a specific waterways rules (not sure about a WLR), but I'm not sure about the rules that apply to it, such as how long they can stay out, or how often you have to run them. Some people around here put them out and don't run them for a year!

I've heard of alot of people catching crappie on jugs and keeping them, but don't know if it's actually legal. I think as long as it's hooked in the mouth, in La it's considered legal, as long as your not running nets while you do it.

**BlackWidow** · 04-01-2007, 04:31 PM

It is perfectly legal to yo yo for crappie, and also legal to jug for them with no limit on the number of jugs on most lakes..

**Tiger** · 04-01-2007, 05:13 PM

As far as I know it is legal. However, in my opinion it shouldn't be. If you want to bait jugs and yo-yos with catfish bait, liver, stinkbait, etc. that is fine. But to fish with shiners you should have to have a pole in hand or at least be in attendance. I can't figure people who bait yo-yos at 6 in the evening and run them at 7 in the morning. A white perch may be hanging out of the water for 8 or 10 hours. I don't think I would want to eat one that had been left that long.

**crossbayouguy** · 04-01-2007, 06:52 PM

I spent last weekend "jug" fishing for catfish. In a 24 hr period we caught over two hundreds pounds of catfish. It was some of the best fun my family has had in a while. Not to mention very productive. As far as catching crappie on them i have not done that. But I can see how it could be effective and fun also. As long as a person stays with in the legal limits and methods on the lake of his/her choice then who am I to tell them how to fish.

**jlaughlin72** · 04-02-2007, 09:26 PM

I was alway told that as long as you caught game fish with a hook, it didn't matter what that hook was on. I caint find anything on the dwf website pertaining to juglines, but here is the link if yall want to read it.
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing...l/fishinggear/

**Brandon Jennings** · 04-02-2007, 11:08 PM

I am not positive but I don't see why it wouldnt be legal, as long as the person it attending the jugs in a timely matter. I believe that any form of fishing used, the individual should use good common sense and respect for other fishermen. Thats why yo-yo's have been banned in many areas, just from people neglecting to run the hooks and trip the lines when not in use.

I jug fish for catfish and I have caught several crappie, and I gladly put them in my box:D As far as setting a rule on what bait you can use, I dont believe that is right. A person should be able to fish with any type bait that is allowed in any other type of fishing. I dont use shiners or minows, I only jug with shad and I still catch crappie, so limiting the type bait used wouldnt stop them from catching crappie. The only thing I can say is that the persons who are running the jugs should attend to them in a timely manner. Personally I dont leave mine un-attended for long at all, and I respect other anglers as well. I have heard this....you are required to have you name and contact info on your noodles or jugs. I am not sure how true this is but I do have my name on mine, but no contact number.

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Is this legal?

Worth a call.....

Legal I think!

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