MAYBE NOT FULL CIRCLE AFTERALL

[WAHOONBOX]

THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY /PASTE TAKEN FORM THE BIGROCK TOURNAMENT WEBSITE

CIRCLE HOOKS FOR 2007

December 27, 2006

The Big Rock Board of Directors, Captain Dale Britt, and Randy Gregory representing the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, met with Dr. Bill Hogarth and Michael Kelly of the National Marine Fisheries Service to discuss the options North Carolina might have regarding J-hooks when fishing for blue marlin.

Beginning January 1, 2007 the National Marine Fisheries Service will require anglers fishing from HMS permitted vessels and participating in billfish tournaments to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural bait or natural bait/artificial lures. This requirement would allow billfish tournament anglers to use J-hooks on artificial lures only.

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries (NCMF) has been seeking alternatives that would allow anglers to fish with J-hooks on 80 lb. test line and 200 lb. test leader. NCMF has also created a standard detailed release form for all vessels fishing in the NC Governor’s Cup Series Tournaments. This form would be turned into the NMFS for data collection.

As of December 27, 2006, no alternative has been approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CIRCLE HOOKS FOR 2007December 27, 2006 The Big Rock Board of Directors, Captain Dale Britt, and Randy Gregory representing the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, met with Dr. Bill Hogarth and Michael Kelly of the National Marine Fisheries Service to discuss the options North Carolina might have regarding J-hooks when fishing for blue marlin.» FULL STORY


WELL..........AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SOME CHANGES..........AND WITH A 200# LEADER SIZE MAX.........

[JD5652]

Box-

IT's not over...til it's over...I'm sure you will see a lot if finagling from the tournament directors on this one now that NMFS has taken a formal position...To be Continued.....

[Squidnation]

Marty - Thanks for the info. I hope they succeed in reversing the rule entirely or fail entirely. If they start allowing exceptions for this leader and that tournament with this lure on wednesday it will only open this ruling for cheaters and disqualifications from misunderstanding by honest fisherman.

Make a rule, stick by it without exception and live with the consequences. Anything else would be bullshit.

I hope NC succeeds in reversing this thing entirely.

[flatbottom]

thanks Box.

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

BOX I HEAR YA MAN I'VE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH RANDY ON A WEEKLY BASIS. HOPE WE MAKE HEADWAY WITH THIS.