Weiss fishing rules

[Tellicorick]

I know this has probably been discussed previously - and I know you can only fish with a maximum of 3 rods per fisherman. Is there a maximum limit of rods per boat? Of the two times I've fished Weiss, I've been legal and don't want to pay hard-earned money for stupidity, but if it's okay to have some more rods (for casting and dock shooting), that would save me from going back to ramp to ditch the long rods and grabbing some rods to cast and shoot. Can someone clear this up for me?

Thanks.

[Ftpmike]

You can have as many rods as you can carry on board but you can only fish with 3 at a time.

[Tellicorick]

Thanks for the info - I was hoping it was that way but just not sure. I sure don't want to ruin a good trip because of my stupidity.

[Slabprowler]

[superfly]

I've never understood the 3 rod limit along with a creel limit. I mean if you can only keep 30 fish, what does it matter how many rods you use to get there.

[footballcoach]

I've never understood the 3 rod limit along with a creel limit. I mean if you can only keep 30 fish, what does it matter how many rods you use to get there.

What you say makes sense. The rationale behind the rule is that less poles lowers the percentages of catching a lot of fish. Also spider rigging with a lot of poles causes concern about short fish swallowing hook and dying after being released. Jmo I think they should lower the limit on Weiss to 15 and 30 per boat. I saw someone on another thread bragging about how many hundred they had caught. I'm sure they violated no laws but who really needs or eats that many fish even if there were several people. Tenn and Miss. Have been proactive in protecting their crappie fisheries. Wish Ala would do same

[Ftpmike]

I think the 3 pole limit was put in place when Weiss went through a rough patch where you could not catch a crappie. It was the same time the stocking program got started. It was a effort to reduce mortality. As far as catching hundreds of fish that is not unusual with a 15-1 shorts to keepers. That ratio gets higher as the season goes on for the sheer number of anglers on the water. You catch a lot but you don't necessarily keep a lot.

[Snapperking]

The rough patch for Weiss crappie was 30% over fishing and 70% saltwater striper population exploding in the lake(see current limits on Stripers for Weiss) because our biologist did not realize the upper end of the like where little river runs in to it was ideal for spawning, clear cool spring water and nice gravel bottom!! were it not for stocking there would not be 60 to 90 boats long lining on it all the time.!

[johndeere5045]

So just to make sure, there will be 3 people in my boat when I go. So we can pull 9 poles longlining???

[footballcoach]

So just to make sure, there will be 3 people in my boat when I go. So we can pull 9 poles longlining???

yes sir!