Take it or leave it??

a friend of mine who spends a lot of his time jiggin cypress trees at lake Conway ran across a 40 lb flathead on a limb line last friday morning. Saturday evening he fished again and it was still there. He told me Sunday at lunch he was goin again Monday (today) and if it was still there he was gonna get it or turn it loose. Well sure enough it was there still alive. I for one don't like yo-yos or limb lines. It's hard to jig a tree with all that junk hangin. I'm sure some people enjoy it, but be responsible and take em up!! Or at least run em. As for the fish, who knows!!!

Cut line or unhook fish is what i would do

My dad and I catfished from the time I was 8 till about 15 and we never left a line out. We would run them every couple hours until midnight then daylight the next morning. I loved it but this kind of stuff makes me mad. I've found 2 live and 3 more cranes hooked on limb lines left out. Real fishermen never do this kind of thing. These are people that on a whim go buy some lines and put them out, sit up all night drinking and are too drunk to go run lines so they just go home. It gives us all a bad name.

I'd take the fish and line. Maybe even leave a note for the guy. When we run Trotlines we run them at daylight and right at dark. we sometime stick around and fish, and check them several times a day.
We never leave the yoyo's. We always stay nearby them. And take them up when were done.

That's why I keep a pocket knife on the front deck and take care of all the limb lines and yo-yos left in the way.

"WOW" Who leaves a 40 lb flathead hanging on a limb line!!!!or anything else!!! "WOW" good eating right their!!!:yikes

What a shame. If it was me, I believe we would be eating flathead for dinner around my house... :biggrin

I trotline and I yoyo but all of my stuff comes home with me. I saw 2 dozen yoyos on Lake Greeson last week with no name and no one close by during daylight hours. I would have taken them but my wife said no. I do not consider that stealing but helping the local wildlife officer. Maybe I'm wrong?

If its a fresh limb line or by looking at the hook if its being used I let it alone.Several like limb lining and cutting their line is like them breaking one of your rods.If its a olded wore out limb line that looks like its been there from the stone age cut it down.Plus some will over look or forget where they set out all their limb lines as to seeing fish on them for a few days.

Do not limb line in the boat runs.

Take the fish or release it and cut the line

I hate Yoyo's, limb lines, and trot lines...wish they would outlaw them all. If you want to flat head fish get you four or five heavy duty rods some 65 lb plus braid and bait em with some live bream and flat head fish. Or use Clorox jugs anchored by a heavy weight and bait running down from jug handle. That's the best way to catch em anyways. It hurts my eyes when out on Conway seeing all the abuse done to those live cypress trees. Those trees are your trees, my trees, everybody's trees. And when I see spikes, nails, springs, yoyo's left rusting, trot lines, limblines, boards nailed to them, bottles tied all over them, The list goes on and on. Right now I can take anyone who wants to see where some idiot has tied I don't how many bottles, pill bottles, drink bottles to limb lines and just left them hanging from several trees and they been there for at least a month. left all over them...not properly run or marked it drives me nuts. It's like the Wild Wild West here on Conway. Hope the AGFC bans it all. Would not hurt my feelings.

I do not know why we have unsportman that likes doing things like that,makes you wonder where they got their teaching.
Old lines hanging from ever limb doesn't make me near as mad as watching someone sneak a can or bottle over the side of the boat letting it fill with water and let it go to the bottom.

We have folks here take a bottle or styrofoam and mark brushpiles. Some get up set when we cut that mess off. They should be fined for littering!:twocents Not only is that mess unsightly on our beautiful waters , the cords used to hold it makes bad places to hang up too.:mad:

Sorry to say that there are folks like that in this world, and always will be. You can make it illelgal, but they are already fishing illeagally, what to say they will stop when its outlawed. :deadhorse

But, I have this mentality, if its old and rusty, cut it down, if not, leave it. If I catch folks cutting my lines/yo-yo's I am not very nice about it, that costs me alot of money to use them, and that is stealing something of mine. But also, my info is on everything I put out... and I check it legally.

Guys, there's two problems, as I see it. One is the folks who tie limb lines and leave them or tie out yo-yos and leave them are inconsiderate of others and our resources, and the law, and nothing is going to change that. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!! The second is an enforcement problem, and that can be changed, and I think it would affect the behavior of those folks. I know the AG&FC folks are spread pretty thin, but you can hire a lot of enforcement people with what just one visitor center costs. I truly believe if enforcement would cover Lake Conway every few days cutting down abandoned or unattended limb lines, trot lines and yo-yos, it wouldn't take long for the in-considerates to figure out they couldn't get away with it. Believe me, there are tons of folks who are on the lake daily, or frequently, who would call in violations such as the ones described in this thread if they thought AG&FC Enforcement would respond and do something about it. I have seen yo-yos hung in certain areas during the winter and left hanging until hot weather, with absolutely nothing done about it. Kinda hard to make yourself go to the trouble to report violations if it just falls on deaf ears! Again, I understand the manpower issues, but the answer to that is not to build another visitor center with a local dignitary's name on it.......hire some more folks and add them to the enforcement branch and stop all this blatant ignoring and violating the laws and regulations!!! Just my :twocents.

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Originally Posted by ski trip

Guys, there's two problems, as I see it. One is the folks who tie limb lines and leave them or tie out yo-yos and leave them are inconsiderate of others and our resources, and the law, and nothing is going to change that. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!! The second is an enforcement problem, and that can be changed, and I think it would affect the behavior of those folks. I know the AG&FC folks are spread pretty thin, but you can hire a lot of enforcement people with what just one visitor center costs. I truly believe if enforcement would cover Lake Conway every few days cutting down abandoned or unattended limb lines, trot lines and yo-yos, it wouldn't take long for the in-considerates to figure out they couldn't get away with it. Believe me, there are tons of folks who are on the lake daily, or frequently, who would call in violations such as the ones described in this thread if they thought AG&FC Enforcement would respond and do something about it. I have seen yo-yos hung in certain areas during the winter and left hanging until hot weather, with absolutely nothing done about it. Kinda hard to make yourself go to the trouble to report violations if it just falls on deaf ears! Again, I understand the manpower issues, but the answer to that is not to build another visitor center with a local dignitary's name on it.......hire some more folks and add them to the enforcement branch and stop all this blatant ignoring and violating the laws and regulations!!! Just my :twocents.

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Exactly!!

I never used them cause I was taught you had to stay within site of them at all times and I like moving around to much :fish

We run limb lines here every summer in the creeks. I was always taught to run them 3 times a day & leave no trace of them when you are done.

I agree with Ski Trip and Cmj. Much like the highly debated gun control proposals, my opinion is that we properly and consistently enforce the laws currently in place. I use yo-yo's on occasion and I use them strictly within the laws already in place. While I do recognize that many do not obey the laws I do not think it is fair to punish those who do obey them. Please do not confuse what the real problem is here. It is not the yo-yo, its the attitude and behavior of the individual fisherman. This type of person does not just disregard this particular law, they disregard most all laws. They will simply ignore the law or break other game and fish laws. I know that this may ruffle some feathers of the folks that are suggesting that we outlaw yo-yo's altogether but please consider this: Let's say for the sake of argument that you enjoy spider rigging and you take care to do it within the legal guidelines. After a few years other fishermen complain, rightfully so, that many fishermen who are spider rigging are catching over the limit or breaking line and not recovering it from the lake, or using too many poles. They state that if they see anyone spider rigging they will cut there lines or steal their poles. Soon after, a group forms to push that spider rigging be deemed unlawful altogether. How would you feel about that?

After reading CP's post above, if these people are driving anything into the tree, then that is another violation. On AGFC property, you can not drive anything into a tree. Ask those that have built deerstands or duckblinds on AGFC property.

I would think that enforcement would jump all over this issue. There are multiple violations being committed here. I believe as SkiTrip does. Enforcement of the rules would clean this up, hopefully catch the ones committing the violations, no more fish would waste (or ducks) and would not affect those that go by the rules. It would get rid of the unsitely "litter" also. If I run into our enforcement officer up here, I'll mention it to him. He's a stickler over littering of any kind!!

Hope all this get taken care of down there.

How bout a clean up day? Set aside one weekend well in advance, if you see any lines/ yo-yos on that date they're gonna be pulled up. That might help.

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Originally Posted by Gut Shot

I agree with Ski Trip and Cmj. Much like the highly debated gun control proposals, my opinion is that we properly and consistently enforce the laws currently in place. I use yo-yo's on occasion and I use them strictly within the laws already in place. While I do recognize that many do not obey the laws I do not think it is fair to punish those who do obey them. Please do not confuse what the real problem is here. It is not the yo-yo, its the attitude and behavior of the individual fisherman. This type of person does not just disregard this particular law, they disregard most all laws. They will simply ignore the law or break other game and fish laws. I know that this may ruffle some feathers of the folks that are suggesting that we outlaw yo-yo's altogether but please consider this: Let's say for the sake of argument that you enjoy spider rigging and you take care to do it within the legal guidelines. After a few years other fishermen complain, rightfully so, that many fishermen who are spider rigging are catching over the limit or breaking line and not recovering it from the lake, or using too many poles. They state that if they see anyone spider rigging they will cut there lines or steal their poles. Soon after, a group forms to push that spider rigging be deemed unlawful altogether. How would you feel about that?

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If the Arkansas powers to be ever feel a need to outlaw a guy who monitors in most cases 4-8 rods and pretty much takes his fishing equipment home at the end of the day. Then I would go with it because I believe in the law. As populations increase...which is the case here in Conway and more and more folks are fishing for what ever reason...our resources get more and more taxed and before long it is all dried up or destroyed because it was not managed correctly for the masses. I agree more enforcement would help and we could all help ourselves by all getting together with the AGFC and help cleaning up the Lake's trees this includes everybody. Would not take much to put a big dent in getting rid of the crap left in the trees or even cleaning the lake up as a whole so our Sons, Daughters and Grandchildren can enjoy it as we did. I will close with this tho...my money is on Trotlines, Yo Yo's, and limb lines being outlawed or a commercial Lic obtained to use these tactics, well before we ever get to outlawing a spider rigger.

Ohh Ya let the fish go...it's been tortured enuff by a Trotline.

I said it before I like to see D10 get with law enforcement to set a day to work Conway over from lines and Trotline's, yoyo's. I think anything else would be illegal

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Originally Posted by CrappiePro

I hate rifles, hand guns, and assault rifles...wish they would outlaw them all. If you want to deer hunt get you a compound bow. Or use a recurve bow it's more sporting. That's the best way to catch em anyways. It hurts my eyes when out in the woods seeing all the abuse done to those live oak trees. Those trees are your trees, my trees, everybody's trees. And when I see spikes, nails, deer stands left rusting with boards nailed to them, scent bottles tied all over them, The list goes on and on. Right now I can take anyone who wants to see where some idiot has put out a feeder or attached a trail camera I don't how many scent drip bags too and just left them hanging from several trees and they been there for at least a month. left all over them...not properly run or marked it drives me nuts. It's like the Wild Wild West here in the national forest. Hope the AGFC bans it all. Would not hurt my feelings.

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I took some words out an replaced them with another hot button issue. Realize this doesn't mean CP feels this way I am just using this as an example of an argument people actually make. Lets not take away our rights we just need the original laws enforced and if you saw a flathead on the limb line call a warden. If it is still there the next day call the wardens boss and unhook it. Cut the line and throw it away at the dock.

I'm just a simpleton, but, it's not hard to make some observations, imho. The typical gun owner does not break the law. The typical hunter does not break the law. The typical spider rigger does not break the law. The typical pole fisherman does not break the law. I've been fishing Conway a few months. I've seen hundreds of limb lines, yoyo's, etc. None that I have seen have been labelled according to AGF regs, no labels, rotting lines, all kinds of $%^& attached to trees. If the majority did it correctly, then I'd pass off the few exceptions like a speeder on the highway.. "oh well," but I see 10x more injustices than I do correct usage. I'd pay 1, 2, 3, 4 dollars more for my license to fund more enforcement to get this crap cleaned up and get some enforcement done. Nothing against those that practice the sport according to rules, but I agree, on Conway.. there's a whole lot more incorrect usage of these techniques being done than correct, legal usage. That's not a hit on those that follow the rules.. and that's not a threat to cut down "legal" items properly labeled to code.. just an observation of a typical guy tired of getting hemmed up on old trot lines left to rot, limb lines left with a poor fish thrashing about on it ( i did cut that one.. hate to see any critter suffer), etc.

The second amendment is a right in the constitution...we have the right to bear arms. I love guns. I Don't ever remember reading a right in the constitution, where a guy has the right to put out countless hooks out or hang them from a tree in the water...just leaving them there for a fellow fisherman to get snagged in, hooked in or on, or one of his kids to get a rusty ole #9 trotline hook imbedded in them, just because the wind caught his boat the wrong way and he did not see the limb line or YoYo hook. All because the fellow who put them out had too many BL's that night and forgot where he placed them or got soo drunk he just didn't care anymore. Here on Conway allot of the junk placed out on trees are by property owners who think just because they live lake side they have the right to leave their junk hanging out all over the trees. I have learned to pick up a fishing pole and fish for the species I want to catch. If you let the wild wild west have their way...(or so called rights) then soon we will be allot like the Asian country's iv'e visited. No fish at all... because they have ravaged their resources. As I said enforcement is a key but there is also a time to outlaw certain tactics in fishing to save the resource for future generations. Iv'e said my peace on this...so its on to other topics for me now. TightLines

Here's a little something that I copied and will paste here that came directly from the AGFC website on the page that deals with Technique Specific Fishing:

Trotlines, Setlines and Limblines

• Trotlines, setlines and limlines are allowed in most areas (check your destination for specific regulations).
• Drops or hooks on lines must be at least 24 inches apart.
• Fish must be removed from lines daily.
• All lines must be clearly marked with the user's name and address, driver's license number or vehicle license number. This information must be attached to each line at the end closest to the bank.
• Between the main levees of the Mississippi River, anglers may not fish more than 100 hooks at a time.
• On the Arkansas River, trotlines may not be used below any lock and dam from the dam to the nearest arrival point navigation marker downstream.
• Stakes added to AGFC-owned lakes for limblines must be made from wood or cane and must be removed from the lake when not in use.

Yo-Yo Fishing

• Up to 30 yo-yos or similar mechanical fishing devices may be used per person.
• Yo-yos may be left unattended at night.
• Yo-yos must be within sight or hearing during daylight hours.
• No more than one yo-yo may be hung from a single line, wire, limb or support.
• Yo-yos must be labeled with the user's name and address, driver's license number or current vehicle license number.
• Stakes used to mount yo-yos on AGFC-owned lakes must be made of wood or cane and must be removed when not in use.

Just in case you would like to view the entire page, here's a link AGFC | Technique Specific Fishing Regulations


Don't get me wrong on this, I'm not against yo-yo's or jugs or anything else. What I am against is the ones that are not properly fished, left behind and slobs that think the law doesn't apply to them and they let fish rot.

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

Here's a little something that I copied and will paste here that came directly from the AGFC website on the page that deals with Technique Specific Fishing:

Trotlines, Setlines and Limblines

• Trotlines, setlines and limlines are allowed in most areas (check your destination for specific regulations).
• Drops or hooks on lines must be at least 24 inches apart.
• Fish must be removed from lines daily.
• All lines must be clearly marked with the user's name and address, driver's license number or vehicle license number. This information must be attached to each line at the end closest to the bank.
• Between the main levees of the Mississippi River, anglers may not fish more than 100 hooks at a time.
• On the Arkansas River, trotlines may not be used below any lock and dam from the dam to the nearest arrival point navigation marker downstream.
• Stakes added to AGFC-owned lakes for limblines must be made from wood or cane and must be removed from the lake when not in use.

Yo-Yo Fishing

• Up to 30 yo-yos or similar mechanical fishing devices may be used per person.
• Yo-yos may be left unattended at night.
• Yo-yos must be within sight or hearing during daylight hours.
• No more than one yo-yo may be hung from a single line, wire, limb or support.
• Yo-yos must be labeled with the user's name and address, driver's license number or current vehicle license number.
• Stakes used to mount yo-yos on AGFC-owned lakes must be made of wood or cane and must be removed when not in use.

Just in case you would like to view the entire page, here's a link AGFC | Technique Specific Fishing Regulations


Don't get me wrong on this, I'm not against yo-yo's or jugs or anything else. What I am against is the ones that are not properly fished, left behind and slobs that think the law doesn't apply to them and they let fish rot.

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Thank you. Enough said!

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Originally Posted by jt1970

I'm just a simpleton, but, it's not hard to make some observations, imho. The typical gun owner does not break the law. The typical hunter does not break the law. The typical spider rigger does not break the law. The typical pole fisherman does not break the law.

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No offense JT, but I find this statement to be somewhat humorous and a little bit naive. Have you watched the news lately? I agree that the trash left behind by these "un-sportsmen," as someone called them, is a pain in the arse. That is the real reason most people are so upset. If the laws that are already in place are enforced, then we would not have to deal with the mess. Since they are not being enforced, isn't it a little crazy to expect a new law to change anything? Why waste more time and money passing another law that won't be obeyed or enforced? I have a question for the guys that want them outlawed: Would you still want them gone if the trash was cleaned up, and all of the trot-lines, limblines and yo-yos were handled according to the law?

IMHO This whole discussion always tends to foster dissent and division within the ranks of a group of sportsmen that should be united for a common purpose. I, for one, am not in favor of removing a specific kind of tackle because it is being abused. I am, however, in favor of enforcing the regulations that govern that tackle.

Instead of focusing on the things that divide us, we should focus on the one thing that unites us (fishing) and endeavor to improve it. If that means a cleanup day, then lets have a cleanup day. If that means we start reporting violations instead of just complaining about them, then lets wear out the hotline to the AGFC. Whatever we do, lets not ostracize a part of our community because some slob fishermen are abusing their tackle.

That's my two cents. :twocents That and a nickel still won't buy you a soda pop.