Violations

[Phil Lilley]

Only artificial materials attached to single hooks allowed.

Period!

Artificial - the word itself is a big hang up for most on the lake that I've talked to - even in the shop.

"Powerbait IS artificial!"

That's what alot of people think and I see why.

Natural baits - night crawlers, minnows, wax worms... things that are "natural" and alive. Everything else MUST be artificial.

So... it's not that cut and dry, unfortunately.

[Phil Lilley]

I think that section of Taney gets more attention from the agents then many realize. I've seen them many times and I don't get down there that often, but catching and proving a violation from afar isn't easy. They also tend to focus on one or two individuals to the exclusion of many others in different areas. The last time I saw one he was parked in the east lot watching the Rebar every time I passed, and I doubt they would have seen a violation upstream. I think many of the violations this weekend were because people know its a "free" one. Anyone who has lived in this state very long knows that deer are the only focus on opening weekend.

You are right. PLus the creel checkers are on the lake and on the banks all the time... until February. They will also put the fear in those who are breaking the rules, believe me. Although they cannot write tickets. They also call the agent if someone doesn't move along.

[Phil Lilley]

This is a good group of concerned missouri citizens. If the mdc monitors this forum then can't they offer some insight to our concerns. Possibly respond to them either pubically on here or through PM to contributors?

I doubt if they ever will respond publicly and for sure not on a forum. They may read this - some do. And there are those on the forum that do talk to MDC people about these concerns all the time.

This is nothing new... it's an ongoing debate.

[Forsythian]

Paint the regs on the back of that big ugly chunk of concrete....No excuses then... Cheers.

snap!

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I used to go as far as to take a yellow paint marker and highlight the main points of the then new regualtion signs. Rain would always wash it off. I did it like 6 times.

Wayne SW/MO mentioned that we may not realize the agents are watching when they are.

Very true.

But it you fish down there more than the agents watch - you are going to run into a ton of violations. I have just decided to accept that as a fact that I can do little about.

And believe me - I have called on them quite a bit. Sometimes they are just not available.

Brian

[Phil Lilley]

snap!

Forsythian...

What's up with the avatar!!!??? Lake levels down there on Bull Shoals got you down?? :)

[Brian Sloss]

Power Bait is artificial and I can kind of understand the confusion, but if they would read the regs further it clearly states "no soft plastic or scented baits". The scented baits covers power bait, so it is just a matter of reading the full regs. It would be easier to just say power bait though. I agree with you on that.

[Phil Lilley]

I know. They read what they want to read, then they go fish.

[Wayne SW/MO]

"Powerbait IS artificial!"

I thought about that when I posted, but isn't it labeled as bait, beyond the name?

[Phil Lilley]

I thought about that when I posted, but isn't it labeled as bait, beyond the name?

You and I know that but it's the angler who fish's once a year, first timer who doesn't have a clue what the terms really mean.

It would be like if we were architects and were frustrated others wouldn't recognize technical terms we work with every day...

... example alittle on the extreme side.