Attitudes and deep-held opinions are interesting things. Often, they represent ideas we have pretty much absorbed from our parents/teachers/peers without anything specific needing to be said. For instance, I don't ever remember my mother telling me "Don't ever eat people. It is not a good thing" and yet I Know that cannibalism is a Bad thing.

I have learned from several UK angling boards that many of the US fishing practices are considered barbaric over there. In fact, AN was a wonderful bbs to be on since I was not automatically considered a stupid savage and hounded off the site. I was ignorant of some angling practices and was gently shown the "UK Way". I have also come to understand (I think) your attitude toward coarse fish.

In the US, we (when I say "we" I mean some of us) harvest any fish that are fit to eat for the table. Some ignorant folk kill fish they consider "trash" even if they don't want them. Carp are included in this category. Where it is legal, some take fish with bow and arrow. Where it is legal, some take fish by snagging. I could go on but most of you are aware of these things. With the exception of harvesting fish for the table, I dislike the other practices but they are within the rules and generally accepted over here. C&R is mostly reserved for Game fish (which is a larger group than your Game fish and differently defined).

My point here [bet you though there wasn't one or that I'd never get to it ] is to point out that there is an accepted UK/Euro angling practice that is against the law in some states, forbidden in most municipal (city, county owned) lakes, and thought to be "unsporting" by a majority of US anglers. Believe it or not, that practice is groundbaiting (called chumming here). In California, tossing a spod of groundbait will get you a $2000-5000 fine and loss of your fishing licence. Other areas have similar rules. The restriction makes no sense to me as large waters cannot be seriously impacted by any amount of groundbait anglers could put in but the fact remains.

I know some of the old-timers on here were well aware of this US ban but there are lots on the bbs who haven't had as much exposure to your cousins over here. BTW - I live in a state where it is permitted and I do use groundbait for carp but not for any other fish. It just wouldn't seem right somehow. Go figure.

I'd be interested in reactions to this. Could you imagine fishing if you were forbidden to use anything other than a hook bait? What overall effect do you think such a restriction would have - other than to put lots of bait companies out of business?

1/ The current carp and barbel record would last for ever. As a benefit they would both fight harder and look prettier.

2/ More fish would be caught.....for the next 2 years and then the numbers would reduce. This leading to a reduction overall in anglers, and associated tackle industries.

3/ The more humbler species would come into favour.

4/ Anglers would "rediscover" natural baits like worms, silkweed and elderberries and realise what they have been missing.

5/ Anglers would not suffer from so many back injuries.

6/ Water quality would improve.

7/ Trips to the water under cover of darkness would increase, (anglers are creative!!)

BAN GROUNDBAITING!!
Danny.

A ban on groundbaiting would cause me more back problems, I'd be raking my swim instead of putting in the bait in order to get a simialar effect, or heaving out bread to ducks, some of which may unfortunatly end up under the water
Worst of all my pocket would suffer from the cost of all those torch batteries.
Thankfully, it is not viewed as unsporting over here and most anglers don't abuse it by chucking in the kitchen sink (MOST that is, not all, hence the ban of it on my local lake, but boy are those ducks getting fat)


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phil,
JOIN ANMC TODAY

Newt,

Does groundbaiting include loose feed?

If so maybe anglers should fish in pairs, set up, pack up, throw in there 'unwanted' loose feed and move to another swim (Each others maybe?)

I was going to ask the same question as Dave Hill. Can you loosefeed?

I very rarely groundbait at all. Instead (as in life) I'm one of those anglers that cast in, nothing happens, move on to another peg. But I couldn't get by without loosefeed!

Guess I'd just have to stick to lures..

Quote
"I don't ever remember my mother telling me "Don't ever eat people. It is not a good thing" and yet I Know that cannibalism is a Bad thing."

Not where my 2 boys were concerned, should have eaten them early on, would have saved a fortune.

Can you use a feeder, cause a 2 litre coke bottle seems to solve a problem, couple of casts then 'oh dear no bite' and over to a float.

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Life is not a dress rehearsal, enjoy it

In this state, any bait used, must be attached to a hook. Of course, I did figure out how to cut-down a 35mm film container, drill a bunch of holes in the side, then hang it from a 3/0 weedless hook (inside the tube, with the weedguard really in place). Never used it as a feeder, since it is also against the law "...or to intentionally angle with the aid of chum..." or some such.

Personally, I have nothing for or against the practice of feeding a swim, since anyone just using a baited hook seems to be doing the same on a micro basis. All a matter of scale.

Bait is now banned for trout streams in the mountains around here. Artificials only (artificial fly or hard lure - soft plastic is considered "bait"). I wonder if I could get away with my yellow-yarn "corn fly" soaked in concentrated corn attractant with a fly rod "strike indicator" above it? That strike indicator sure looks a lot like a bobber (float) to me!

Oh yah, I will also have to add some tippit weights (split shot) between the fly and strike indicator so I can control the sinking fly.

All this sure makes sense to me. Not!

Dave - it includes any item not attached directly to a hook.

Some folks do find creative ways around it.

For one, if the lake has ducks, feed the ducks for a bit before fishing.

For another, many US carpers use what is called a "pack bait". This is basically a big ball of stuff packed around the hookbait and designed to fall off quickly after the bait reaches bottom. Sort of method without a feeder. Oddly enough, this fits within the rules for use even where baiting is not allowed.

Another interesting tidbit for you folks maybe. I've never heard of a US bait shop that sold maggots. Never seen them used as bait either but anyone who wanted to would have to grow their own.

There is an interesting feed thing that is done at times over here. Wouldn't work in the UK probably as you have way too many anglers. Take a coffee can with a removable plastic lid. Punch holes in the bottom. Fill with meat and put the top on. Hang over an area you want to fish later. As the maggots grow in the meat they will crawl to the bottom and drop out. Feeds a little over a long period and does attract some serious numbers of fish to an area.

Newt if only you knew>>>>.

Cica 1750. Tie a sheeps heart to a length of twine. Allow a few days to mature and flies to "Blow" THE MEAT.

This will encourage a steady stream of maggots into the chosen swim.

There have since been many variation on the theme. Including a baked bean can filled with maggots.