IGFA rules railing a rod

[algdog]

I know that a fish is disqualified if you directly use a rail or touch a boat at any point in time with your fishing rod, or reel
yet if on party boat and your hand is between the rail or the gunnel on a boat,and the fore grip on the rod, is that the same as touching the boat or rail

reason for asking is that I see it is legal to rest a rod butt in a fighting chair gimbal, is you own body part considered OK


reason for asking is I saw some video of an offshore trip from california, some anglers rail the rod imo completely illegal, rod butt resting under their arm and rod directly on the rail
yet if that rod rested on the anglers hand or forearm would it be considered legal
these guys were all fighting big fish and any one of them could have been an igfa all tackle record for yellowfin they don't know it until its weighed. but a 300+ lb fish who knows if it is a record until weighed.
does anyone know the details of the rules on this?

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I know that a fish is disqualified if you directly use a rail or touch a boat at any point in time with your fishing rod, or reel
yet if on party boat and your hand is between the rail or the gunnel on a boat,and the fore grip on the rod, is that the same as touching the boat or rail

reason for asking is that I see it is legal to rest a rod butt in a fighting chair gimbal, is you own body part considered OK


reason for asking is I saw some video of an offshore trip from california, some anglers rail the rod imo completely illegal, rod butt resting under their arm and rod directly on the rail
yet if that rod rested on the anglers hand or forearm would it be considered legal
these guys were all fighting big fish and any one of them could have been an igfa all tackle record for yellowfin they don't know it until its weighed. but a 300+ lb fish who knows if it is a record until weighed.
does anyone know the details of the rules on this?

it is the only way to fight a big fish for me. Screw the IFGA.

Mike

[The Codfather]

Its also a great way to break your rod. Ive seen it happen many times.

[puroagave]

That still wouldn't be legal. Most people don't care. Even if it was no one on the boats is using line that breaks below 130. Different style of fishing.

[ahicapt]

That's how some do it out here. Having worked on a couple of these long range boats I have seen this technique become very popular among guys looking to kill a cow in quick order. Some guys still use pads and harnesses which works fine but if your looking to put the wood to one of these bruisers then the rail is a much better way to go. Busted rods are not a problem either, the rods being used are designed for rail fishing. As far as the IGFA goes it is almost impossible to follow their rules in this kind of fishery and be successful. Those were written years ago for boats with fighting chairs and motors to chase down the fish. Ask most San Diego LR fishermen and they could give a rats ass as to the record book. We keep our own records...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

That's how some do it out here. Having worked on a couple of these long range boats I have seen this technique become very popular among guys looking to kill a cow in quick order. Some guys still use pads and harnesses which works fine but if your looking to put the wood to one of these bruisers then the rail is a much better way to go. Busted rods are not a problem either, the rods being used are designed for rail fishing. As far as the IGFA goes it is almost impossible to follow their rules in this kind of fishery and be successful. Those were written years ago for boats with fighting chairs and motors to chase down the fish. Ask most San Diego LR fishermen and they could give a rats ass as to the record book. We keep our own records...

that.

Mike