Fishing with Yo-Yo's

[feverpetal]

Read an interesting article an using Automatic Fishing Reels or Yo-Yo's... I was wondering what everyone thought about them. I can understand how they could work well for catfish and pike, but I think it would be a hit or miss on walleyes. Also, are they legal in Minnesota? Could you use them through the ice?

A "Yo-Yo" in this sense is a length of string with a hook attached to a spring-loaded reel. When a fish takes the bait, it triggers the rewinding of the reel, pulling the fish in. Obviously a handy thing to have for the end of the world, but not exactly sporting.

fp

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"Cast riiiiight....there."

[Uncle Grump]

Fever

Yo-yo's are a no-no in Mn. Check the regs in the use of them if you are located in another state.

UG

PS: I've used them in Missouri - where they are legal. Neat little gaget.

[feverpetal]

I'm in Minnesota. Not that I necessarily trust ESPN, but I believe it was they that stated they were legal in all 50 states. Oh well, i'll have to read the book more carefully tonight, didn't see anything about them in there before.

fp

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"Cast riiiiight....there."

[Surface Tension]

I fish with YO-YO's
Northlander and Stfcatfish.

[feverpetal]

The only thing I can see in the regs that would pertain to yo-yo's is that you can't use an unattended line, setline, or trotline, you can only use one line, except through the ice, and that anglers must remain within 200 feet of a tipup. So then you could probably use two of them inside an icehouse, correct? Pike routinely set the hooks themselves, and there is no mention of how a fish has to be reeled in. I guess I'll have to e-mail the DNR.

fp

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"Cast riiiiight....there."

[Uncle Grump]

Fever, others

I am going by the words I was given by my local C.O. about two years ago, right after I was introduced to yo-yos in Missouri.

He indicated that because the yo-yo does the work - no human intervention after it is set, is the reason its illegal. I had the same idea you're having - that is - put a couple in the fish house.

Check w/ your area C.O. - or Enforcement in St. Paul - see what they have to say.

UG