Fishing in WA with barbed hooks ?

[baz]

Subject: Fishing in WA with barbed hooks ?

The next challenge for my grandkids will be for fishing from the boat.

I was told by a fella fisherman at my Port of Edmonds marina in WA that the barb on the hooks MUST be flattened/removed out as it's illegal otherwise. I asked why and he said the barb tears up the fish and can damage them as they need to be returned to the water to continue their lives unless of course one is fishing for Coho. Is this just a WA law or is it state-wide ?

I guess I need to buy barbless hooks.

I did some quick research about this barbless hook issue...

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/ ... uld-soon-/ (Apr 6, 2019, last updated July 2, 2019)

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files ... w02077.pdf (WA News for 2019-2020)

Thoughts ? Thanks... 🙂

 

[dencarst]

I am complete agree with barbless hooks all I do is crush the barbs.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Seems like a crazy requirement. The barb on the hook doesn't do nearly as much damage to the fish as clubbing them 😀

 

[Newf]

Barbless hooks for Salmon in BC, Canada as well. We can use barbed hooks on all bottom fish. I would think that you lose more fish with the barbless hooks but that's all a part of the fun and challenge.

 

[bob daily]

Barbless hooks are required in any area in Washington where you have to release catch that is not legal to keep, ie size restriction or clipped/non clipped . It is also illegal to remove from water any fish that is not legal to keep. Please double check your fishing rules for the area your fishing in as the fines are heafty and they can confiscate your gear which includes your boat!
That said it is legal to use Semi-Barbless hooks that are sold at most sporting goods stores.
Any one wanting info on a de-hooker you can PM me and ill send you info on how to make one along with directions on use.
Hope this saves someone a ticket down the road. Bob

 

[Larry H]

In Washington, almost all Salmon must be released after catching.

We can only keep hatchery Kings, and sometimes even those must be released.

 

[NorthernFocus]

In Washington, almost all Salmon must be released after catching...

Up here we don't have to return them to the environment until after eating them. And only pinks and chums can be used as halibut bait.

 

[Ernie]

The wa fishing regs contain a wealth of information about hooks, seasons, catch limits and all sorts of other things
Well worth a read and available on line and at most tackle shops
Good luck and have fun

 

[baz]

The wa fishing regs contain a wealth of information about hooks, seasons, catch limits and all sorts of other things
Well worth a read and available on line and at most tackle shops
Good luck and have fun

At 167 pages it's a lot of reading for the novice fisherman!

 

[Ernie]

Oh man
That book is pretty dense for all of us
The fish Washington app makes it much more easy
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/app
Is the link to it

 

[NorthernFocus]

We lived in WA State back in the 90s. I had hunted all my life on the east coast and so figured I'd do so in WA. After taking a look at the regulations and feeling like I needed to consult a lawyer to figure them out, I gave up hunting and took up photography instead :?

 

[johnniethek]

Not only is it barbless, but it is also a single hook. No treble hooks allowed

So the rule of day is single, barbless hooks when fishing in Puget Sound and Hood Canal.