Yo Yos

[getlinewet]

Anyone know if yo yos are legal in Va? My cursory search seems to indicate they are.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAz0zM-Jxy0

Next question: would they hold up to a 15 lb. striper?

[mwardncsu]

I don't know if it's legal but it does not seem very sporting - and when the slot is in place how could you ensure release of a slot fish?

[BentRod]

No offense but that's stupid and no way to Striper fish. No way to catfish either.

[getlinewet]

No offense taken. As to catfish, there seems to be an entire youtube channel where a guy uses these gizmos to exclusively fish for channel cats.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkZUz-ywuA


Agreed it is not so sporting, Mward, but it seems to be a way to put meat on the table. Surely some people set up poles and leave them overnight (or during the day) unattended at SML.

As to the slot limit, once the fish is recovered, if it's in the slot, you release the fish (which would probably be very worn out but hopefully would survive).

[mwardncsu]

Jan 22, 2014 9:17:56 GMT -5 getlinewet said:

Agreed it is not so sporting, Mward, but it seems to be a way to put meat on the table. Surely some people set up poles and leave them overnight (or during the day) unattended at SML.

As to the slot limit, once the fish is recovered, if it's in the slot, you release the fish (which would probably be very worn out but hopefully would survive).

Very unlikely that the fish would survive in that case - striper need to more or less be on the move - or have good current flowing - if they are leashed to this yo-yo thing with a very limited amount of line they can't swim in a natural way and the stress will do them in quickly. Maybe if you were going to be right there and constantly monitor the lines to retrieve/release - but if you're going to do that, why not fish with rod/reel and enjoy it


I will agree with you - it is a way to put meat on the table - but a totally indiscriminate way (in terms of species selection) to do so that in most cases is going to kill the fish. If they were used I'd hope you have a max of 2 out since you could exceed your daily limit otherwise.

[smythley]

Whe I lived in Arkansas a couple years ago, these things were everywhere! I got invited to go fishing, and showed up with a rod and reel... The guy looked at me funny and said "Man, we are going fishing, not goofing off." I was surprised, he was fishing to fill a cooler, not for fun. He set trot-lines and yo-yos for crappie and catfish. You are supposed to stay within earshot of a yo-yo, so when it goes off, you can ease over and unhook whatever you may have caught and make the decision to release or not. I think you could put out 30/person? I agree it wasn't sporting, but it's how he caught supper. Different way of looking at things. I looked at fishing as fun and a "sport" and he thought of it as "food gathering".

[getlinewet]

Yet another interesting use for the yo yo for all of you trappers/hunters:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lUSEJRFbvQ

[striperjohn]

These things were designed for use in survival kits. You basically set them out while you are off doing other things. Originally they were only 1.5 inches in diameter.


Sent from my SCH-R760 using proboards

[catsnstripers]

Va law allows set lines for non game fish. No live bait may be used.

[getlinewet]

Travis:

Could you give me the Va law citation you're quoting? If you are correct, yo yos would seem to be pretty much off limits at SML. Glad I didn't order any.

[Gotcha]

Catfish is non-game fish in va! You can catch them in a throw net, trout line, this yo-yo thing, noodles and its legal! Like Travis said, no live bait allowed on these lines! Bluegills is a game fish, catfish is not! Very sad day for our catfish! Please think about the future of the fisheries and release the big ones!

[getlinewet]

Here are excerpts from the Va regs that seem to apply to yo yos:

General Freshwater
Fishing Regulations
•
Fishing in inland waters must be by angling with a hook and line or rod and reel. (See exceptions for nongame fish.)

Department-Owned or
Controlled Lakes, Ponds,
Streams or Boat Access Sites

B. Method of fishing.
Taking any fish at any Department-owned or controlled lake, pond, or stream by any means other than by
use of one or more attended poles with hook and line attached is prohibited unless otherwise posted, in which case cast nets may be used for collecting nongame fish for use as bait.

The first reg doesn't seem to preclude yo yos however the second cited reg certainly prohibits the use of unattended poles with hook and line attached. That probably seals the deal against yo yos because there's no pole and the unattended use.

[Gotcha]

Unattended is key word! As long as you are in site and have name address phone # on them they free game! They use noodles all the time! Same difference!

[Gator]

This is NOT the way to fish. Too many people just looking to fill the freezer. Can't tell you how many trot lines I have cut and disposed of after someone has just left them for good. I like the idea of targeting a fish and learning its patterns. May not always be easy but it sure is fun. Like Gotcha said, " think about the future of the fisheries and release the big ones".

[getlinewet]

I've got to tell you, I'm sorry I asked the original question concerning yo yos in the first place. I saw the device being used on a youtube channel, and I was just wondering whether they were legal in Va. I think it's fair to say there are some very strong opinions regarding these devices, almost bordering on hostility.

Since I started the thread, I'm going to ask one of the board's monitors or administrators to remove the thread in its entirety just to remove any traces of mention of the devices and to preserve some harmony in the SML fishing forum community.