TROT LINES ON THE JAMES

[fatcatonthejames]

I got a disturbing phone call today about trot lines in the James. About a month ago one was found down river in area that is known for producing very large fish. This trot line was not marked by its owner and was in some very deep water. It was about 1200 ft long with 10/0 hooks on it. The trot line had about 175 dead catfish on it ranging in sizes from 15lbs -65lbs.Needless to say that one didnt make it back in the river. Most of the fish were dead and only a few survived.
So today the phone call stated that the guy has at least 6 more in the river . 2 are around Presquile Island and the other 4 are between Jordan Point Bridge and the power lines. If it continues the fish that are left in the river wont be there long. He is pulling in around 50 - 100 fish every couple of days.At that rate it wont take long for the James to end up like the RAP. Im trying to get more info on this and will keep you posted. If we dont do something soon then we will not have any fish left to have our way with. This guy is a commercial fisherman and is not marking these trot lines. So keep your eyes open and watch what they do. What you do after that is up to you.
We had a similar situation about a year ago and got the other guy to slow down and this man has slipped threw the cracks, but the word is out. Its time to start making some noise.

Any questions about this please post on this thread or bmail me

FAT CAT

[wasabi]

Name him.

[tank3544]

yeah i saw a few on sunday .. one a mile or so upriver of the powerlines .. another right across from tar bay .. didn't see the other 2

are trotlines legal?

this sure is a GREAT way to ruin the river in a real big hurry

[mini moe]

How did someone find it? Around here they sink them and pull them up with grabbling hook.

moe

[fishfool]

Isnt there a law about commercials having to mark thier trotlines?

[Big Fish Addict]

If you see one, reel it in, release any live fish and keep the rig and throw it away.

[fatcatonthejames]

The first one was found when a fisherman hooked it. Yes they are supposed to be marked and these are not. Once I find out some more info I will let you guys know. It probably wont be until Thursday or Friday.

[faw67]

If properly marked isnt it against the law to disturb?

Below taken from vdif website fishing rules and regulations:
Trot Lines, juglines or set poles may be used to take nongame fish and turtles provided they are not baited with live bait (worms are permissible), except on waters stocked with trout and within 600
feet of any dam. Live bait other than game fish may be used on trotlines to take catfish in Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery,
Pulaski and Wythe counties, and in the Clinch River, in Russell, Scott and Wise counties. Any person setting or possessing the above equipment shall
have it clearly marked by permanent means with his or her name, address, and telephone number, and is required to check all lines and remove all fish and animals caught each day.

[boss hawg]

If they are not marked and you find one you can remove them. However I would suggest calling the game warden and telling them where the lines are. Or meet them on the water and have them remove it . I have had this instructed to me by an official on another river.

[Big Cat]

How can you find them if they are not marked? Are you just bu luck snaging them with your anchor or fishing lines?

[boss hawg]

I have caught them with the anchor rope. Snagged the with hook and line and had them wrapped around the prop. Darn trot lines. I wish the dgif would make them illegal.

[fatcatonthejames]

The only way you will find them is drag a small wreck anchor and snag the rope. From what I gathered is that none of these are marked to keep us from knowing about it. But guess what? Cats out the bag now.

[catfishjpt]

Even putting aside the greatest problem from these trotlines (the damage to the big fish population)...this is truly a boating hazzard. According to this report, these lines are stretching across the river. It's too bad.

I doubt any state wildlife agency would even give this the light of day however. We are at the bottom of the pecking order; the only way they would intervene is if this happens to lay havoc on the striper fishery--thats unfortunatly of greater concern to the guys in charge.

[faw67]

Didnt they just classify the James River as some type of trophy fishery for catfish? and limit the catch sizes and quantity?
Now , personally I dont have anything against trot lines, been known to use them in the past when I was younger man, and plan to use them in the future as long as they are legal, granted I dont do this on the James river. If you lay one out right for catfish the only part near the surface is the end, unless to have a float in the middle, which would be foolish in a high traffic , fishing area, do to most peoples lack of knowledge of proper etiquette around traps trots jugs etc. I was always told "dont mess with other peoples pots or traps", if you think someone is breaking the law the best thing to do is call the game warden and let them handle it, because by disturbing it you possibly may be breaking the law yourself.
Remember, just because its not your idea of sportmanship, fishing etc, as long as the person isnt breaking the law, they are not doing anything wrong.
btw who would wanna eat one of the big catfish out the James anyways.

[mini moe]

The regs. are plain: You must clearly mark by permanent means your name address & ph # and you are required to check all lines daily and remove fish and animals. Here's a link: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/regulations/2005_fishing_regulations.pdf#page=17&zoom=100

[redcat]

I recently pulled up a tight tine from the bottom of the river with a side anchor. It was on the north side of the river on the Jones Neck loop near the concrete wall with the bamboo thicket.It was running up and down the river. i followed it a ways bot did not find any hooks.

[blu catz]

Sounds like its time for everybody to buy some binoculars and be vigilant during the daytime and do what has to be done at nighttime.

[fatcatonthejames]

These trot lines are not regulated by the DGIF because this guy is commercial. Either way they are not being checked every day and they arent being marked. The James will have regulations addressing this but not until July1,2006. If this continues at the rate its going then we wont have any fish left to catch.

[Bigmagic]

I hate to hear this is going on in the James. Here on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri we have had to contend with trotlines for years. Some people leave them in unbaited and unattended and kill fish others harvest far more than the legal limits. They have severely and maybe forever hurt our large Bluecat population. We still have them but not near the numbers we once did. Asking a conservation agent to police trotlines is impossible. They don't have the manpower. The way to fight them is by taking pictures, email, letters and your votes. Make your case heard. Only this year by imposing a five fish limit have we got any relief and I don't think thats enough. I have been campaigning for a season on trotlines to protect spawning fish. Its a topic that needs addressed. Good Luck nip it in the bud if you can!

[racn35]

i have to admit that if i ran across a trot line- tagged or untagged- legal or not it would NOT be there when i left the spot i was fishing and you could find it cut up into little pieces in the trash barrell back at the boat ramp...........problem solved.

[wannabee2]

JUST REMOVE ALL THE HOOKS ON IT ! THEY WILL GET THE HINT ! [excited][excited]

[wasabi]

I'm with racn35. No need to make a big deal about it. Cut it loose, pull it in, get rid of it.

Hell, it would keep me supplied in hooks for years.

fatcat - are they marked on the bank in any special way? Like a small piece of colored tape or something?

[Albemarle24]

Growing up in Alabama we ran trot lines alot. My dad still does.

The law was pretty loose then, but we had to run some cotton line the first few feet. This was in case it was left and it could rot and wash free from the bank.

Our lines where usually in very deep water and weighted with railroad iron, so it was on the bottom.

We removed ours when done, but sometimes left them from weekend to weekend, but we did remove the bait first.

Maybe you guys can get PETA to help you vandalize these lines. They would probably love to go out and cut up some trot lines.

Now there is something wrong with leaving dead fish on a line, but just report the problem, dont go out and start cutting lines. Im sure VGIF does not approve of leaving dead fish on lines, and neither do I.

Come on guys, crab pots are a hazzard too. I wrapped a prop around one duck hunting and sank the boat. I dont think we should ban crab pots. I did "steal" that crab pot thought, but only because it was hooked to my prop still when we salvaged it.


Eric

[CaptMikeStarrett]

Down Texas in da gulf they take those for drag when found. Opps...must have been caught on the cleat by accident a fishermen would proclaim.

I personnaly would never do that...Yep..

Capt Mike

[Stickin Em]

Just got word from an anonymous source that there are 4 fewer trotlines out there. Good job in protecting our world class blue cat fishery!!! [excited][excited]

[fatcatonthejames]

BTT[excited]

[kepone cats]

I would not mess with them if they are legal.

[ketch69]

I'll second that, it is against the law if they are legal. Hell, it would be taking a big risk anyway you look at it.


DEAN