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Rutt, unfortunately it isn't up to them to show you. You're supposed to learn the laws on your own.
I just searched around looking for PFBC laws and all I could find was the regulations book which had nothing in it that pertained to this issue. Does anyone else have access to the actual laws?
That's what I am saying, SPider! I have not seen anything in the regulations that would prohibit it. SO, I will not blindly take the word of a PF&BC officer that it is illegal.....I want to see it in writing. I have a feeling it is going to take someone to get a citation and then take it to court to fight it, to find out what law they are referencing.
The regulations booklet is just a summary, it isn't all the laws. But there should be a place on their website that you can find the actual laws so we could look this stuff up.
Just wanted to clarify the use of jawjackers or automatic hook setting devices. I was out on ice on Saturday and did speak with a fish warden. Jawjackers are not permitted to be used in PA. You are not permitted to use anything that sets the hook from a biting fish. This is a rule from approximately 100 years ago. Harrisburg has instructed the wardens to enforce this rule and some wardens are giving tickets for these devices, luckily I met a really cool warden and he just warned us about them. Nez
You are not permitted to use anything that SETS THE HOOK from a biting fish.
While HOLDING your jigging rod a fish bites your hook. YOU SET THE HOOK.
Never fished a jawjacker but I think it goes like this. You place your rod in the device. A fish bites your hook. Remember ( You are not permitted to use anything that SETS THE HOOK from a biting fish ). A fish bites your hook and the jawjacker (DEVICE) SETS THE HOOK, not you.
Not always! In fact, just yesterday I was re-setting one of my JawJackers when I look over and see my jigging rod pulsating with a fish on the line. Apparently as I was tending to the JawJacker, a trout hit my jig while it was in essence a dead stick in the rod holder. All I had to do was reel him in!
Again NOT always! While setting one of my JawJackers yesterday, I was watching the bait drop down thru the water column and before it could reach the desired depth I see a trout on the flasher and the next thing I know it is stripping line off my spool before I could close the bail. When I closed the bail, it hooked itself! Never even got to SET the device! (or the hook!)
I don't own any JawJackers or similar products. But the analogy to the boat setting the hook while trolling is compelling! The deadstick rod not being attended to would be like a standard tip-up in my mind. I think the PA FBC should definitely provide an agency wide clarification on the matter.
The action of the jawjacker setting the hook is the problem.
It would be a good thing for him to get involved. The PFBC is basically saying his device is no longer legal in PA. I'm betting that will take a chunk of change out of his pocket. But you and I know nothing in PA will ever get done until that wheel starts squeaking... a lot!