2 Lines

[davesfriend]

Tell you what. If harming the fish population is such a big deal, why do they net and trap all the fish they can handle out of these lakes? I am not against the Indians by any means, but isn't the casinos giving them enough money allready. Is netting fish really helping them survive?

[BLACKJACK]

Don't you think you'd catch more fish if you were fishing with a buddy, rather than by yourself? That's two lines. Let me say this again. Very few people, now, who fish, actually catch a limit-------around 7%. If fishermen were allowed to use two lines they'd more likely catch their limit. More people catching limits would mean more fish being caught. That would harm the fish population. There was a strong push this year to lower the limit to four walleyes, indicating we're close to, or at, harming the resource. In fact, allowing two lines would most likely assure that limits would be lowered. If we were to follow your reasoning that using two lines only gets you to your limit quicker, then why not allow five or ten lines?

I agree with you alg. Two lines will affect the resouce because it allows the average fisherman to try more tactics, and find whats biting faster. I may not catch my limit but I'll end up taking home four fish instead of one or two fish.

[Nick Kuhn]

The increase in hassles and problems will be double the increase you see in fish catching. I've used it in Wisconsin to cast with one pole and just troll a twister tail or something under the boat with another. The twister tail will find a stump before a fish, guaranteed. Then it's a scramble to keep the gear from breaking.

Minnows are a little better, as you can minnow fish under a bobber and not be bored out of your mind as you cast with another pole. Most of the time in Wisconsin though I'm fishing 1 pole.

[harvey lee]

I would really like it for fishing catfish on the river. I see very little harm to be done to those specie as most all release their catch.

For eyes, I would love to be allowed to troll two lines to find which lure or color is the ticket. Again, for me, no problem as I release almost all of my fish caught unless the wife or neighbor would like a meal.

One needs to simply pratice Catch and Release and then the problem if any would be minimal. The game hogs will always be there with 1 or 2 lines out. For most fisherman, the extra line would probably be more of a problem that it would be worth.

[Timber]

Sandmannd, you wrote:

<I've been out many times where I don't get a limit with two lines. Catch more fish yes,>

and Blackjack,

<I may not catch my limit but I'll end up taking home four fish instead of one or two fish.>

You don't have to catch a limit. It's not only a couple of fish more. If you normally take home one fish, and with two lines will take home two or four, you are taking home two to four times the number of fish you were taking. If many people did this that would amount to an enormous amount of more fish taken. It certainly would hurt the resource.

[BigWadeS]

Sandmannd, you wrote:

<I've been out many times where I don't get a limit with two lines. Catch more fish yes,>

and Blackjack,

<I may not catch my limit but I'll end up taking home four fish instead of one or two fish.>

You don't have to catch a limit. It's not only a couple of fish more. If you normally take home one fish, and with two lines will take home two or four, you are taking home two to four times the number of fish you were taking. If many people did this that would amount to an enormous amount of more fish taken. It certainly would hurt the resource.

What's it matter if on those times out you take 3-4 more home with then normal, are you still under the limit? Yes you are, then the issue is the state limit and regulations not if we were to use 2 lines or not

[nate larson]

My only concern is an increase in fish mortality. Let's say for example you are casting a jig with one pole and bobber fishing with the other. If you hook a nice fish on your jig and while you are reeling it in another fish takes your bobber down it is very likely that the second fish will have swallowed the hook and could very likely die.

[BigWadeS]

use circle hooks and keep the spool open in that situation so the resistance is minimal would be an option

[nate larson]

That would be a good option. The problem is that most anglers wouldn't take those kinds of precautions.

If you really want to fish multiple lines you could always get married!

[Sandmannd]

Circle hooks work. I've fished on the croix a lot as said before and don't have gut hooks. There's been a few times we've had four down with two people and fish going. I just set the drag lighter and let the one fight while I'm getting the other in. By the way, it's fun as heck that way.

[harvey lee]

I personally just don't believe it would be that big of an issue.

I would also say that next year it will pass and become law along with a lower eye limit.

[Sandmannd]

That's what I'm saying Harvey. Responsible fisherman are still going to do the right thing. Those that aren't, well they probably go over their limit anyway.

[Scott K]

That would be a good option. The problem is that most anglers wouldn't take those kinds of precautions.

If you really want to fish multiple lines you could always get married!

Or just bring along some young kids! Mine are old enough now, but a few years ago, I would leave my pole at home, just because I was to busy tending theirs! Problem solved have 5 kids then you can fish 5 poles

I wouldnt mind if the law got passed either. I am 99.9% c&r anyway. It would make catfishing a little more interesting as well! How about a license that only allows you to catch and release, then you can fish 2 poles, or a regular license where you can catch and keep, but are only allowed to use one pole?

This would bennifit me and some others, and not put any more stress on the fish population!

[Ebiz]

Quote:

How about a license that only allows you to catch and release, then you can fish 2 poles, or a regular license where you can catch and keep, but are only allowed to use one pole?

At first I was in favor of that idea (or the option to purchase an additional license that would allow two lines)but imagine what an enforcement nightmare that would be.

[Scott K]

I know it would be, but it wouldnt be any different enforcing the C&R only with 2 poles, then it would be for the one they proposed that you just pay $5 more to fish with the second line!

[Ebiz]

I suppose, it just seems to open up so many loopholes and headaches for CO's, imagine having to deal with:

- If I buy a C&R two line license, can I keep fish if I'm only fishing with one line?

- Get checked with fish in possession, no I caught these while only using one line

- Party fishing with a group, some have C&R 2 line license, some don't. Who caught these fish and how many lines were they using.

- Trolling, taking turns, again mixed group of license holders when can you keep fish, when not?

[Sandmannd]

Quote:

How about a license that only allows you to catch and release, then you can fish 2 poles, or a regular license where you can catch and keep, but are only allowed to use one pole?

At first I was in favor of that idea (or the option to purchase an additional license that would allow two lines)but imagine what an enforcement nightmare that would be.

What would that do? If you are worried about hooking mortality, how would C&R be any different. You can still only keep 1 limit.

[The_Lee]

I dunno how many of you guys think the same way or not, but wouldn't fishing more then one line take away from the fun of it? Take it using more then one line for salmon or lake trout on Superior mor Michigan is nice, but for a Minnesota lake or river, whats the fun? Maybe its just me, but I like having that rod and reel in my hand, waiting for a strike, have one more or both in some kind of holder to make just makes it lazy....

If you like multiple lines, don't start bashing me... I am just saying that this is how I see multiple lines.

[Scott K]

Ebiz, you are right, it would be hard to enforce, and I see your points!

The Lee, imagine going catfishing! If you never have before let me put the picture in your head! First you take a big minnow of your choice put it on your hook cast it out, leave it sit. There is no jigging, there is normally no hot action, no bite after bite, just sit and wait until the clicker goes off, if it does. Most times 1 fish in a boat of fishing 2-3 people for 6 hours in the dark is typical! The majority of catfisherman C&R so over fishing wouldnt be a problem here. Fishing with 2 poles could give a little more action to a slow night!

[Daze Off]

I'm for multiple lines - all those who hook a fish with one line while too busy with another and don't flip their bail will lose their poles and I may find a few....LOL

Already "caught" two in my lifetime....cleaned up nice and gave them to neighborhood kids.

[Fishinguy40]

I agree with snipe. It would be great to have a slip bobber in the water as you cast.

Would it add to the depletion of our resources? Personally I don't think it would have much of an impact. Irregardless of the rules in place, there will always be those who respect and conserve the resources that we have and those that don't. Reading CO Tales shows just how may people out there are abusing it. For every abuse that is identified how many do you think go unnoticed? I think that is the real threat!

[The_Lee]

Well, that would be understandable then. I have never gone catfishing, so I don;t know the first thing about it, but I want to try it. I was thinking more along the lines of muskie, northern, walleye, ect..

[BoxMN]

I'll stick my 2 cents in... one for each line

Lee, I also like the feel of the thump, but I also like trolling. When using boards trolling on the river (border) with two lines is very fun with two or three people on board. It is a different tactic, and quite enjoyable.

I am for 2 lines, but I would most likely only even use two while trolling, as using two jigging or whatever would end up in a mess more often than not, in my boat anyway

[SDbowhunter]

I'd be for the two lines in MN. I can fish with two here in SD. Most of the time I still only use one line because the added concentration on two lines can lead to problems. It is nice for shore fishing, putting out a slip bobber while jigging, or pulling plugs. But, If the fish are biting its easy enough to get a limit with one rod. I follow my own C&R and size limits above and beyond the law, two rods doesn't make as much of an impact as the type of people behind those rods.

[The_Lee]

You know, if more people practiced C&R, I would be all up for two lines. But take Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, by the dam is great walleye fishing for being so close to home. Me and my borther practice C&R, but I know of too many people that go there and pull out their limit of they can catch it and too many of them do not C&R. SO where do you find a good go between for those that do practice C&R and those that do not?