Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: clarki on September 06, 2021, 12:01:46 AM

Title: Crayfishing with finfish as bait?
Post by: clarki on September 06, 2021, 12:01:46 AM: Came across this crayfish trap in the Vedder Canal today, with the head of a fish as bait. Am I correct in my reading of the regs that the use of finfish for bait is only permitted for sturgeon fishing in Region 2?
(https://i.imgur.com/6pfSWGe.jpg)

Also came across this Gatorade bottle that was floating in the current, tethered to the bottom. I snagged the line that was holding it to the bottom and brought up a length of mono with weights and a hook (you may be able to make out the gear to the right of the bottle). The line was secured to the bottle by tightening down the cap. Some ingenious angler was using the the 950ml bottle as a float! It must have been super difficult to cast but I give him/her high marks for creativity :)

(https://i.imgur.com/GMyqIF2.jpg)
Title: Re: Crayfishing with finfish as bait?
Post by: RalphH on September 06, 2021, 07:59:53 AM: skunked again?

pg 21

Quote
Dead fin fish as bait: only permitted in Region 2 when sport fishing for sturgeon in the Fraser River, Lower Pitt River (CPR Bridge upstream to Pitt Lake), Lower Harrison River (Fraser River upstream to Harrison Lake). See page 8 for details

pg 8

Quote
You may use the head of fin fish or the headless body of fin fish as bait, only:(a) when sport fishing for sturgeon in Region 2 only on the Fraser River, Lower Pitt River (CPR Bridge upstream to Pitt Lake), Lower Harrison River (Fraser River upstream to Harrison Lake),
Title: Re: Crayfishing with finfish as bait?
Post by: clarki on September 06, 2021, 10:51:49 AM: Thanks. Yes, those were the two references I found as well.

I was curious if there was something else in the regs that was a variance for crayfishing. Perhaps not...
Title: Re: Crayfishing with finfish as bait?
Post by: RalphH on September 06, 2021, 11:32:31 AM: Not that I know of. I bet they didn't think of it. They don't think of everything. Did you see what kind of fish it was? Was the head on?
Title: Re: Crayfishing with finfish as bait?
Post by: clarki on September 06, 2021, 04:41:36 PM: It was just the head, appeared to be of a pink.

Technically a violation, but not one I would get too bent out of shape over
Title: Re: Crayfishing with finfish as bait?
Post by: RalphH on September 06, 2021, 10:07:36 PM: I guess if cray fishing was a big part of the local 'industry' with dozens of professional guides with clients like the sturgeon fishery has they'd have a special exemption as well.