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View Full Version : Snagging fish! What can you do?


Fast Action
11-12-2003, 05:50 PM
Information:

What happens and what you have a right to do if you decide to. I would recommend calling OSP before doing this. Even though it is a huge crime for us anglers it is not to others.

On page 13 of the 2003 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, in the Harvest
Methods, Hours and Restrictions, Game Fish section, restrictions 2 and
3. It is unlawful to (2) attempt to snag, spear, gaff, net, trap, club,
shoot or ensnare any game fish and (3) take any game fish hooked other
than in the mouth. Snagging is defined on page 12 (top) as "hooking or
attempting to hook fish other than in the mouth." So, you do not have
to have the fish in possession to be the recipient of a citation for
snagging or attempting to snag.

It is a misdemeanor (as are most fish and wildlife violations),
Punishable as the judge deems appropriate. Sometimes that is very
little money and sometimes it has been over $500 plus loss of privileges
(angling and/or hunting) for up to 2 years. Technically, according to
ORS 496.951 Base fines for wildlife law violations (c), the base fine
for snagging is $299. Then, ORS 496.992 (see 496.992 at the bottom) Penalties, describes further
about culpable mental state and repeat offenders. Ultimately, however,
it is up to the judge's discretion.


ARREST
133.220 Who may make arrest? An arrest may be effected by:
(1) A peace officer under a warrant;
(2) A peace officer without a warrant;
(3) A private person; or
(4) A federal officer. [Amended by 1981 c.808 §2]

133.225 Arrest by a private person. (1) A private person may arrest another person for any crime committed in the presence of the private person if the private person has probable cause to believe the arrested person committed the crime. A private person making such an arrest shall, without unnecessary delay, take the arrested person before a magistrate or deliver the arrested person to a peace officer.
(2) In order to make the arrest a private person may use physical force as is justifiable under ORS 161.255. [1973 c.836 §74]
ORS 161.255 Use of physical force by private person making citizen’s arrest. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a private person acting on the person’s own account is justified in using physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to make an arrest or to prevent the escape from custody of an arrested person whom the person has arrested under ORS 133.225.

EXPLANATION FROM ABOVE:
ORS 496.992
Relating to bail amounts for certain wildlife law offenses;
amending ORS 496.951.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 496.951 is amended to read:
496.951. (1) The bail amount for a violation of wildlife laws
or rules as described in ORS 496.992 (2), which amount shall be
placed on a citation issued by a law enforcement official, shall
be as follows:
(a) Violations that do not involve the taking of wildlife,
except for violations of the nonresident licensing provisions of
ORS 497.102 { + and 497.121 + } and the provisions of ORS
496.994, $75.
(b) Violations that involve the taking of nongame mammals or
game birds, and size or quantity limits for fish and shellfish,
except salmon, steelhead trout and sturgeon, $150.
(c) Violations that involve the taking of salmon, steelhead
trout, sturgeon, wildlife not otherwise provided for and all
other wildlife offenses, $299.
(2) The bail established under subsection (1) of this section
includes the unitary assessment required under ORS 137.290 and
the county assessment required under ORS 137.309.
(3) Neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall
establish a bail amount for a violation of an offense described
in subsection (1) of this section other than the amount listed in
this section.

Jennie@ifish
11-12-2003, 06:27 PM
I know of a place, where guys stand elbow to elbow in a hole where salmon are stuck, in low water.

They use heavy weights, and big corkies. I believe that some people call these guys, "corky snaggers". I have watched them stand there, with their lines, still in the water.

When a fish bumps into their line, they jerk.

So, are what they are doing illegal, or just unethical?

I'm sorry, but it really drives me crazy, and I can't go down there, or even look, because I know I will lose my temper!

That IS NOT sports fishing!

Part of me wants to take one of these guys in a boat, and show them how to fish. I want them to be able to see what the real thing is like.

The other part of me wants to bonk them over the head! :smile:

Anyhow, how do you deal with this? Is this just here to stay, since it is borderline legal, until they kill something?

Jen

Fast Action
11-12-2003, 06:38 PM
The best thing to do is wait until they bank one and you see it. That way you know for a fact that they have commited a crime. If there rig is obvious then same deal. If they are just fishing a corkie and a standard slinkie it would be iffee. Just for proof I would wait. You can always call OSP and if they come down they can observe and arrest or cite.

Making a citizens arrest can invole alot of your time going to court and all that stuff. I have had to at work, however it was worth burning a thief.

Mortality rate is high for our baby fish, but it all adds up. Put it this way, if I was with a couple of guys and depending on the situation I would be happy to hook someone up. I think alot of it is people want to scream, but not take the time and effort to go through the motions to fix the problem. It takes dedication like the t-shirt thing. That stuff takes time as you all know.

Honestly I would rather push them in the water, BUT :mad: Easy now, I do not want to go to jail.

Jennie@ifish
11-12-2003, 06:41 PM
I would love to go down there with a group of ifishers wearing anti snagging shirts, and just... you know... hang out.

:smile:

Fast Action
11-12-2003, 06:47 PM
Just video tape them and get some nice plate #'s and face shots.

FISH EYED FOOL
11-12-2003, 07:02 PM
There is no real punishment for these people,the penelties are real light. they have nothing to lose,and they have no fear of you or the law and never will until the laws change. its no different than a shoplifter or any other petty crimanal.. sad deal, makes me sad knowing its only going to get worse as the population grows.

Fishin Magician
11-12-2003, 07:56 PM
Dave........are you talking about our secret rig again...... :cheers:
In all seriousness what a joke. It just stands to reason that if you arent skilled enough to catch fish legally you have to resort to other options. I would think that under the conditions that you are talking about Jennie that there would be grounds for at least Harassment of the fish. In the ruling isnt it against the law to fight a fish to the bank that you know is snagged???? If this were so then banking a fish that is foul hooked would be a crime.

Input would be good here.

JB

rob allen
11-12-2003, 08:19 PM
Sounds lik e 15 or 20 of us need to hang out at some snagging hole till someone keeps a snagged fish then areest them have another fre guys take him to the county jail.

FishingNewbie
11-12-2003, 08:27 PM
We have been guilty of getting a fish with a spinner in the upper fin. Did we TRY to do it? NO!! I don't think all people who snag a fish or foul hook one should be compared to the people who DO stand shoulder to shoulder and use methods that only work by snagging. If you do foul hook, and it is illegal to bring it to the bank, how do you get the hook out?

I'm sure the people who make a habit of snagging have been spoken to, laughed at, threatened and ridiculed already in life, to no avail. I have yet to see one of these deliberate snaggers, but I have seen other fishermen checking out how other fish are caught, commenting on "yep, it's in the mouth" or "too bad, foul hook, gotta let it go" bringing attention to everyone.

Fast Action
11-12-2003, 08:55 PM
John,

Talked to an OSP Officer just a few ago. I did not ask about Herrasment of fish, but I am sure it is the same deal. As I stressed before, and as he stressed. In order to make anything stick in a citizens arrest you have to physically wittness the crime. Still it is pretty petty to them considering what they deal with, however it is a problem. What would be nice is more fish and game troopers, but we all know how the state works. Next time we fish we can take action if you want too. AHHHH forget it. We will just push them in with the river rhino's they are trying to snag. Hey I thought you used eagle claw *laugh* I still have some :hoboy:

Fishin Magician
11-12-2003, 09:06 PM
Dont be going there.......... :grin:

Fast Action
11-12-2003, 09:12 PM
I think you need to post your pic of that monster native you got. What do you say?

KingFisher85
11-12-2003, 09:22 PM
Jennie

Just bonk them over the head! :laugh:

Twitchs_Tackle
11-12-2003, 11:11 PM
Fast Action, good research! Being exposed to these sorts of activities is what led me to pursue the degree I am currently working on at Oregon State University. I will graduate next term, degree?:

Bachelors of Science,
Fisheries and Wildlife
Specialty in Law Enforcement

now if someone was only hiring... :rolleyes:

greenbuttskunk
11-13-2003, 08:32 AM
I loved Grant's segment on night snagging, but was blown away by the light punishment. They mention a "loss of fishing privledges" for a year.
Come on now, like they really care about that. Do you think most of them even had a license. They need stiffer monitary penalties, and let their gear become the propery of the state.
Jen, I like your idea about a group going down
there wearing no snag shirts and a few with cameras. I should have jsut printed them on bullet proof vest though. :grin:
GBS

[ 11-13-2003, 08:35 AM: Message edited by: greenbuttskunk ]

reeldick
11-13-2003, 08:49 AM
As much as we all dislike snaggers, be very careful of turning someone in for snagging unless you can prove they have snagged a fish and kept it. You can be called into court to testify and if they are found "not guilty", you can be sued for defamation of character.
I was there when it happened at the Tillamook County court house.
Just another little iritation for you.
Be safe, go as a group wearing our NO SNAGGING shirts.

Fast Action
11-13-2003, 09:52 AM
That is why I said to be sure you have proof and evidence. It is really no differant than a police office making an arrest. They have to have proof or evidence. If the person snags the fish and it is on the bank, and you see it you are good to go. Otherwise have the police come and watch.

Fishfeet
11-13-2003, 11:04 AM
Pard was over on the Stucca this last weekend. He saw a bunch of snaggers in one place, I think he said at the mouth of Three rivers. They were working the salmon over pretty bad, so he got his vcr camera up and running. He said the place immediately started clearing out! :grin: One of those miscreants(sp?) actually came up and asked him if he was the law! :cheers: :laugh: :laugh: Don`t recall his reply to the guy, but he said there were a lot of nervous looks in his direction. Fishft.

Fast Action
11-13-2003, 11:57 AM
NICE! Fish Feet. I get some looks when I wear my work hat to the river. Still have yours John?

LuckySteelhead
11-13-2003, 08:29 PM
You got to remember snaggers are criminals. For your own safety, you better not attempt an arrest with these folks. I've fished around snaggers and know they can become highly violent and they disrespect anyone acting as/or law enforcement.

spinner53
11-13-2003, 08:48 PM
Two guys, one pair of bolt cutters, one pistol. Cut rod into 4 pieces, return rod, thank you , have a nice day.....

Fast Action
11-13-2003, 08:56 PM
The fines for fish and wildlife offenses are at the discretion of the judge in an amendment I read. Two years is how long privilages can be taken away.

Fishfeet
11-14-2003, 12:17 AM
Hey Fast Action! I`m a little slow, so which work hat are you refering to?? :shrug: :grin: Bob.

Fast Action
11-14-2003, 12:34 AM
Has our department badge on it :grin:

Sturgeon 42
11-14-2003, 12:38 AM
I have been fishing the mouth of Three Rivers before with corky and egg and have accidentally snagged fish in there, so I don't consider myself a snagger and would not keep a foul hooked fish but I won't stop trying to fair hook fish when you know they are there, especially if I did'nt have a boat....If you snag a fish and take it out of the water now thats a NO NO.... :grin: :grin: :grin: (the same day I was there a local came down and caught 2 hooked in the mouth)??

rola76
11-14-2003, 12:52 AM
Sturgeon,

You're right, because I too have accidentally foul hooked fish, but by NO MEANS am I a snagger...I resent them!!

However, some are VERY deliberate about their snagging, and it's these people that are a disgrace to the sport.

Fishfeet
11-14-2003, 12:58 AM
Fast Action! Let me guess, ODOC? I gave that one up a few years ago. But you`re right, it would certainly make some snaggers do a double take! :grin: :grin: That was a cool hat! Shoulda kept it. E-mail me wouldja? My memory is short. :whazzup: Bob.

Fishfeet
11-14-2003, 09:15 AM
Good point Lucky! Plus , if you attempt citizens arrest, you are opening your self up to a big can of legal abuse! It can be and is done! But tread very carefully. Bob. :shrug:

greenbuttskunk
11-14-2003, 09:32 AM
What we need is Charles Bronson in a pair of waders! He's clean out the riff-raff for sure.

BanannaMan
11-14-2003, 10:11 AM
If the state and federal governments really wanted to eliminate snagging then they would prohibate fishing within a half mile either way from the hatchery mouth or feeder creek. Of course this would case a major uproar and a loss of revenue from fewer tags being purchased. Lets face it, the fisheries are managed to bring large numbers of fish to easily accessed areas for harvest. If you have ever talked with the hatchery managers they only care that they get the required numbers of fish for the next years production run.

Places like Cedar Creek, Eagle Creek and Hoodsport are "harvestries" not fisheries. As far as I am concered the snaggers can have all the fish they want once they reach those areas. The real fishermen get them before they reach these spots. Really, how hard is it to catch fish in a barrel. Not that I am implying that anyone who fishes there is not a "real fisherman" because I fished Cedar Creek for Coho all fall. It is so easy to catch fish there I dont blame anyone for going there.

If you do go to these spots and see the snagging that occurs, blame the management plan not the people that take advantage of it.