Species covered in proposed rule • Not species specific
Rule to Change: You May; Use a downrigger if the line releases from the downrigger while playing or landing the fish.
New Rule Proposal: You May Not; Use a downrigger.
Why the change is needed: I put the fishing in Puget Sound into two categories. Active and Passive. Active is when you are in complete control of the fishing pole, the line, weights, and bait with exception to a pole holder, which should remain allowed. Passive is a high tech way to let the boat and gear do the fishing for you. Too many times I have been 'mooching' and had my gear cut off by boats cutting across my path as I cannot keep my line straight down. While fishing I have to stay out of the prime area as mooching is not compatible with downrigger or deep anchor fishing. It is harder to mooch than just driving a boat around with an automatic downrigger waiting for a fish to bite, or anchoring using the downrigger for bottomfish. It is a safety hazard to mix mooching (drift fishing) with downrigger/deep anchor fishing. They are not compatible.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: No input given
Describe their support and/or concerns:
No input given
Submitted by: COWPERTHWAITE, JAMES P — LANGLEY, WA
Date submitted: 06/06/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW348150
Rule proposed would limit recreational angling opportunity for a large number of anglers fishing Puget Sound. Adopting a rule such as this proposal is usually done by DFW in cases where there is a required codification of gear type, quantity or use that is mandated by conservation or resource allocation issues.
Online Public Comments(0 comments)
No online public comments submitted for this proposal.
