New Major League Fishing Fish Handling Rule

[moguy1973]

This one is going to be a tough one to follow.  Every angler the last 3 seasons has broken this rule with just about every fish.

 

http://majorleaguefishing.com/news_details.aspx?id=2129

[Darren.]

Good rule, IMO.

[moguy1973]

I agree, the way they swing them up into the boat and into their body was no worse than then letting them hit the deck of the boat.  I just don't know how entertaining the show will be now with the anglers sitting in timeout for half the show.  I guess they'll learn fast enough.  They are best pro's in the world after all...

[J Francho]

I agree.  Most guys were wearing the heavy Simms bibs simply to turn their body into a landing net, which I don't think was in the spirit of their original fish landing rules.  This new rule makes great sense, and will definitely change some things.

[A-Jay]

I agree it had to be done. 

The "between the legs" squeeze was effective but probably not any better than the carpet drag landing.

But what's the alternative ?  Can they use a net ?  And if not, why ?

It happens enough as it is, but it seems as though the rules are steering someone to get a treble hook buried in their hand very soon.

 

A-Jay

[moguy1973]

It happens enough as it is, but it seems as though the rules are steering someone to get a treble hook buried in their hand very soon.

 

A-Jay

 

I'd make for good TV I guess...People like to see blood when watching shows...lol

[AK-Jax86]

Hopefully this makes for a better show will have an adjustment period

[Zach Dunham]

Yeah, I can see how many more hooks in the hands will be coming of this. It is one thing to test skills by not allowing a net, and even a little harder by not allowing carpet hits, but this is getting absurd now. Pretty soon you're going to have to use the force to unhook a fish. If this is really about not harming the fish then they should just allow a d**n net and then the fish wouldn't have to get swung up and smacked around in the first place.

[Felix77]

I agree with all the comments thus far ....

 

IMO I think it's getting a bit absurd.  I agree that it compliments the original intent of the carpet rule however if they are going to go this far then let them use a d**n net and stop swinging the fish up.  As someone else said one of the contestants is going to get stuck real good!  Maybe that's their intent.  More "hook" drama.

[J Francho]

Anyone that fishes crankbaits for a any amount of time learns how to belly land a bass.  I don't see this being an issue for pros.  Most of the time, all i see them use are heavy flipping sticks and braid, so most of the time, they can just lift them out of the water.

[NathanW]

I think they are setting a good example for practicing better handling and that is their main purpose. Its a good thing because I feel like so many television shows of the past and present demonstrate disrespectful handling.

 

In my opinion however. I wish they would just let them fish. I find these rules to be annoying while watching the show. Also Pro's being pentalizing for accidental drops is frustrating to watch.

 

 Once they get back onto a good crank bait lake again you all will see how these rule are going to hinder the competition. Probably enough to swing the outcome of an event, which really sucks when the purpose of this program is to showcase the very best anglers in competition. Its not easy to unhook a fish with a mouth full of trebles without letting them flop around a bit first, or wedging them against something, especially the smaller ones. Not only that but hand landing a fish with trebles often times needs to be done by belly cradling, and to avoid getting hooked your first move after you get the fish over the gunnel is either to the carpet or the body. I am laughing right now because last week I was on a ridiculous jerkbait bite (literally ever cast for 7 fish in a row) and I cannot problem solve how I would have unhooked those fish under these rules. Not possible without taking penalty. You wait 2 minutes and those flurries of fish that are not relating to structure are GONE.

 

J Francho, I have a question. First I will say I agree with you on the landing technique 100% (especially living in Smallmouth dominant area). But tell me, and I am sincerely asking, what is your next move after you belly land that fish? Have you ever tried to remove those hooks without setting the fish down, or wedging it against something? How about on an under that is too small to lip without getting stuck? I am not trying to antagonize, I am just asking about the process.

[J Francho]

If it's too small to lip, then it's small enough for an overhead grip. Otherwise, just lip it.  As far as the other issues, a deeply hooked fish is allowed to be set down, per the marshal.

[Scott F]

Using a net would have the same impact on the fish as laying it on the carpet or brushing up against the body. They are trying to avoid rubbing off the slime coat. Nets will do that.

[J Francho]

Using a net would have the same impact on the fish as laying it on the carpet or brushing up against the body. They are trying to avoid rubbing off the slime coat. Nets will do that.

 

A wet rubber not will not rub slime off as much as a carpet or clothing. One tip I leaned from wnybassman was to leave the net on the deck.  This gives you a place to set a fish onto if you need to perform surgery.  Slime coat protection is one reason I advocate the use of Catch and Release, if you are keeping the fish in a livewell for photos or tournament weigh in.  It contains electrolytes that promote slime coat production.

[flechero]

I think the carpet rule is long overdue.  I got sick of seeing fish flung high into a boat and then allowed to drop on a slack line into the bottom of a boat. 

 

It's nice to see them being held to the standard that many of us recreational fisherman already hold ourselves to.

[MarkH024]

I am glad to see this put into the rules.  I enjoy MLF and the format so I like to see them improving on it.  I still don't pay to watch it though     

Yesterday or the day before I saw Alton Jones had hooked a nice musky in practice and he laid it right on the carpet of his boat just to take a picture with his shoe next to it.     I know guys who'd harpoon him in the chest if they saw it in person.  

[Zach Dunham]

There are nets out there made of materials that will not just wipe the slime coat off like a carpet or clothing. Plus this prevents the fish from being tossed around or high in the air and smacking in to things. It just shows this rule is not entirely about protecting the fish.

[Bass_Fanatic]

The next rule will be to have a 1 page apology written to every fish caught and read it to them before release.  I think this is just crazy.  Im all for keep fish alive, but a fish touching carpet or clothing is not gonna kill it.

[Swampstud]

belly land em, keeps them calm. Or just let em use the nets again