What the New Circle Hook Rule SHOULD Say (this is a great idea)

[Mike15]

I think instead of segregating the type of lure/bait used, NMFS should really be segregating the fishing method used. Therefore I think the new ruling should be something like this:

"Circle hooks are mandatory in any bait/lure that is freespooled (dropped back) to a feeding marlin. All other bait/lure combinations can be fished with J hooks so long as they are not dropped back to the marlin."

This is a much more effective and concise way of dealing with marlin mortality and at the same time leaves combo baits and lures unscathed from the ruling beacause they are fished more like lures and are not ussually dropped back.

Just my opinion - this is what I sent to NMFS.

[Deep C]

Great... Keep em comming guys...
In the meeting I attended there were fifty people in there that had great ideas like that. Other ideas included hook size cut off. Even Bill Hogarth came up with exempting tackle heavier than 50lbs. Russell from their side came up with my favorite, that circles be mandated only for naked bally hoo.
Once I got the tour of the inside of how NMFS works I was left with the very real view of what those in charge have to go through to get something done. It takes eight months just to get congressional approval to get the paper to print a form.
Each move they make takes a chain of command to pass through that is mind boggling. I'm amazed that our government can even function with all the bureaucratic hog wash that it imposes on itself.
Keep at it... A couple sentence changes in the rule would be all that it takes to make the world a happy one. Right now this one we live in is in a tail spin...

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

I think instead of segregating the type of lure/bait used, NMFS should really be segregating the fishing method used. Therefore I think the new ruling should be something like this:

"Circle hooks are mandatory in any bait/lure that is freespooled (dropped back) to a feeding marlin. All other bait/lure combinations can be fished with J hooks so long as they are not dropped back to the marlin."

This is a much more effective and concise way of dealing with marlin mortality and at the same time leaves combo baits and lures unscathed from the ruling beacause they are fished more like lures and are not ussually dropped back.

Just my opinion - this is what I sent to NMFS.

Well, I don't agree, that is even more regulation than original, not only are you suggesting that they tell us what kind of hooks to fish with but "how" to fish.

And the tournaments are supposed to enforce it?

The only logical solution is to designate a heavy tackle cut off, making all dinks circle hook only, I think that anything 80# test and higher should allow j hooks.

Rod tipem!

Formulating my comment (to nmfs) now.

[Mike15]

Well, I don't agree, that is even more regulation than original, not only are you suggesting that they tell us what kind of hooks to fish with but "how" to fish.

And the tournaments are supposed to enforce it?

The only logical solution is to designate a heavy tackle cut off, making all dinks circle hook only, I think that anything 80# test and higher should allow j hooks.

Rod tipem!

Formulating my comment (to nmfs) now.

They are already indirectly telling you how to fish by forcing you to use circle hooks in certain baits in the first place. Don't tell me you want to drop back your lures??!!?? I think it is less regulation because now combo baits would be allowed if that were the case.

I also agree with the 80 or even the 50 pound cut off though, that is also a good idea and will alos exempt combo baits and lures.

[Deep C]

I really think that any feed back we throw is better than none. Let them know we are pissed and we are watching... Hogarths over 50 idea was fine by me. The naked hoos only idea works for me. No rule at all is the best idea yet though.
Tournies are supposed to be about who can come up with the best way to catch the biggest fish. Being forced to run just dinks or just lures turns the concept into a lottery rather than a competition of skill, at least where fishing for the biggest is the case. Numbers fishing as with dinks can be affected by the sharpness of the crew so it's not as much of a factor there.

I said it from the beginning... Their intrusion into sportfishing tournaments would be like epa telling Nascar to slow down below 70mph cause its "enviromentally friendlier" ...

[Dave Sikorski]

Mike-

I think the issue with your idea is mainly an enforcement problem. Bureacracies are alreay twisted and confused enough, and passing laws that force someone in the field to make a decision as to what they saw or what happened is a bad idea. It causes a he said she said that never really works out.....granted there are polygraphs, it shouldn't have to come to that.

Deep is right, the more people remind the NMFS that we aren't forgetting the better off we will all be.

Too often a small "victory" causes folks to become get comfortable again, and that's when the shit will hit the fan.

Keep up the fight and keep debating the idea RESPECTFULLY amongst each other.

I think a line class rule is the best bet along with naked baits requiring circles.

-D

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

CAPT. JAY I THINK YOU ARE ON TARGET WITH YOUR SUGGESTION. AN 80 LB LEADER CUT OFF WOULD BE A SENSABLE SOLUTION OR POSSIBLY A HOOK SIZE REQUIRMENT SAY ANYTHING IN A DINK STYLE HOOK 7/0 OR UNDER.

[Ozimo2]

I'd rather not have a "rule" requiring me to fish the way the "govt" wants me to. They don't own the fish, and neither do I. Less would be better.

[Deep C]

So let THEM know how you feel... The more they hear from us squeaky wheels the better... Let em know if they keep the shit up that they could be looking at pitch forks and torches comming up their street.

Well not really, but let em know that their presence in tournaments is not wanted or warranted...

From the other thread...
Perhaps this will add a little convenience to sending ya'lls comments:

Subject (re):
Request for Comments: Proposed Rulemaking on Circle Hook Requirements For Anglers Participating in Atlantic Billfish Tournaments (FR-58058)

Send mail or email to:
Mr. Alan Risenhoover
Highly Migratory Species Mgmt. Division
1315 East-West Hwy
Silver Spring, Md 20910

Email: 0648-AV25@Noaa.Gov

Perhaps start your comments with: " As per you request for comments, dated 12 March 2007---------"

If you want any credibility, use some class, restraint and respect for the Division in your comments

A one or two paragraph letter is all that is needed---- no long drawn out sob stories.

[Mike15]

Mike-

I think the issue with your idea is mainly an enforcement problem. Bureacracies are alreay twisted and confused enough, and passing laws that force someone in the field to make a decision as to what they saw or what happened is a bad idea. It causes a he said she said that never really works out.....granted there are polygraphs, it shouldn't have to come to that.

Deep is right, the more people remind the NMFS that we aren't forgetting the better off we will all be.

Too often a small "victory" causes folks to become get comfortable again, and that's when the shit will hit the fan.

Keep up the fight and keep debating the idea RESPECTFULLY amongst each other.

I think a line class rule is the best bet along with naked baits requiring circles.

-D

Yes....But whos to say you caught that winning fish on a circle hook? You have to be polygrapghed one way or another - its just a matter of what the question will be. Whether the question pertains to being caught on a circle hook or did you drop pack to the fish - a question of some sort still needs to be asked either way.