subject: Fishing For Fun Requires Following The Rules [print this page] Did you know that there are rules that regulate the methods you can use for fishing? Fishermen and fisherwomen have been participating in this sport for years. This activity can be fun, relaxing, and a way to feed your family. But this is a sport, and as in all sporting activities, you must play fair. Rules prohibit certain types of weapons and tools being used to capture fresh or salt water fish. The rules also vary by region, so it's best to check out an official website in your area so that you don't get arrested by the authorities for using illegal methods.
If you're fishing in fresh or salt waters, recreational fish can be reeled in with fishing poles, rods, lines with hooks, trolling lines, bait and fly casting devices, crawfish nets, or even a bow and arrow. Some methods may be more difficult to achieve success with than others, but if you're an experienced fisherman or fisherwoman, you may be able to bring home the catch of the day with your favorite method.
Some of the rules for fishing seem more complicated than others because the rule about the tool will depend on the type of fish. For example, flounder can't be caught with barbed hooks in saltwater. Instead, the hooks must be barbless. Paddlefish cannot be caught by using snagging mechanisms. Shrimp, crawfish, and minnows may only be taken with legally specific cast nets. It's acceptable to use spears, bows and arrows when fishing for garfish.
Forbidden techniques are surprising, not because they are forbidden, but because anyone would try it in the first place. For example, a fisherperson may not shoot a fish with a gun. Can you imagine trying to shoot a fish? That seems like a bad idea on multiple counts. Other banned methods seem equally ridiculous. For example, it's not acceptable to use a crossbow at any time. It's also not permissible to poison or stupefy the fish. The law enforcement officials do not allow blowing them up with explosives or shocking them with electrical tools, either. The fact that these rules are on the books means that someone somewhere has tried it. This is a scary thought.
Fishing can be fun if you use your head and exhibit good sportsmanship. Leave your guns, explosives, and crossbows at home. Play fair and reel in your catch with poles, rods, nets, and other acceptable tools and techniques.
