WMO Rules clairification question

[Squidnation]

I was reading this morning on another board the account of the first place shark that was caught in the WMO. Turned out to be a state record Scalloped head hammerhead shark. But while reading the account I saw something that to me is clearly a rules violation. I am posting more so because I asking about the rule but also to ask a general question to everyone.

Here is what I read

Wednesday we headed to the Massey's Canyon area. We again set up the chunk but knowing all the Bigeye tuna coming in we knew our only chance to win any $$$ was to get into a shark. we set up the chum at 8:15 waiting for 8:30 when we could drop lines. about 8:25 we noticed the chum bag was missing and someone spotted a big grey shark under the boat and we determined it was the shark that stole the chum! We set over another and kept and eye on it and at 8:30 we went out the rods. about 8:40 one of the Tuna chunk rods went off that was suspended with a balloon and one of the Anglers we were keeping fresh for a big shark so I took the rod thinking it was a tuna or a mahi

Here is the rule according to the WMO website

Fishing hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. No boat may place lines or teasers in the water prior to 8:30 a.m. All lines and teasers must be removed from the water by 3:30 p.m.

Am I off base here or did this team break the rule by deploying the chum bucket in order to attract or tease a fish to the boat prior to 8:30am?

[bigfish4me]

Seems simple enough to me....VIOLATION, why would it be ok to dispense chum and not your dredges and teasers?Rules are rules and they were broken, may have not been deliberate but its their job to know the rules if they want to collect a check.

[Anders]

doesn't say chum, it says teasers

I wonder what the definition is of a teaser according to WMO

[canyongear]

There is no definition of a teaser, although the only place I could find anything in the IGFA rules where the word "teaser" was used was in a sentence regarding the use of spreader bars.

I think it is silly to try to equate the definition of a teaser to a chum bag. As the WMO rule sentence states "lines or teasers" in the same sentence surely they are speaking about a teaser with a line in it without hooks and not a chum bag or chum bucket.

Perhaps adding those two words for future tournaments might help.."chum or chum devices"

Many tournament rules state that "bait" must be caught during the stated fishing times outlined in the tournament rules.

I bet whoever posted that wherever they posted it is now kicking themselves pretty hard now that it is on the WWW and spurring this challenge thread.. this thread just put what $4,500.00 at risk possibly?

[absolutly]

I would say that is against the rules. To me that is the same as putting out a dredge before 8:30. It's a shame people don't know the rules and go to captains meetings. I heard and saw a lot of j hooks with meat, people calling in dolphin hookups and releases, etc.

[Bert Rodgers]

If I'm holding 2nd would I protest? Damned right I would.

Bert

[Anders]

A couple things-

1) if it's not written out clearly it is going to be hard to win that battle

2) protest and make sure it gets in there for next year

would I have put chum in the water before times is go? don't think so
do I consider it fishing? yes

[rarhomes]

My 2 cents.

If it's not defined or stated it's exempt.

Capt Rick

[WAHOONBOX]

IF THIS IS THE CASE....AND THIS DID HAPPEN AS STATED....THEN WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS WAS A VIOLATION OF WRITTEN RULES....IT IS NOT EVEN A GREY AREA!....BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GREY AREAS HERE




CHUM IS A TEASER...PLAIN AND SIMPLE....NO IF'S AND'S OR'S ABOUT IT........IF YOU DEPLOY CHUM THEN YOU HAVE STARTED FISHING AT THAT TIME ....

IF YOU DEPLOY ANYTHING IN THE WATER THAT HAS TO DO WITH FISHING ....BEFORE 8:30AM.... YOU HAVE BROKEN THE RULES...

[Squidnation]

IF THIS IS THE CASE....AND THIS DID HAPPEN AS STATED....THEN WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS WAS A VIOLATION OF WRITTEN RULES....IT IS NOT EVEN A GREY AREA!....BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GREY AREAS HERE




CHUM IS A TEASER...PLAIN AND SIMPLE....NO IF'S AND'S OR'S ABOUT IT........IF YOU DEPLOY CHUM THEN YOU HAVE STARTED FISHING AT THAT TIME ....

IF YOU DEPLOY ANYTHING IN THE WATER THAT HAS TO DO WITH FISHING ....BEFORE 8:30AM.... YOU HAVE BROKEN THE RULES...

That was an excerpt taken off another board by the guy who caught the winning shark. As far as circle hooks I did talk to someone yesterday who watched a team that was in the money rig all there rigs with j-hooks. I guess I was a bit Nieve thinking everyone really did follow the circle hook rule. But you only get polygraphed if you win more then $50,000 in this tournament.