I guess I go back to Rick’s account “As we’re clearing the flat the way back float line goes off and Liz grabs that rod and starts working the fish … I can tell when she’s on a good fish because she doesn’t talk, so I’m getting things ready to help her land the fish … but, after a couple of minutes the fish breaks off, again probably on that same shallow flat …”. To me that means the fish was not hooked to anyone’s line, since it had broken off. Therefore, I don’t know how it could be considered to have been caught on a hook and line.
As clarification, most black bass tournaments do allow use of a net, except on some of the Pro circuits, and select club tournaments.
I think we need some clarity on the issue of catching the fish on a hook and line, or in a net, especially before the next summer fish kill.
I don’t think you need an official on each boat, we don’t need that for monitoring when lines are in or out. Some of this is on the “honor system”, in my opinion.
I guess a question for Rick and Liz is if you had caught the fish in a net, with no line attached to the fish, would you have brought it to the scales?
Rick K
Tidewater 2200 Carolina Bay Boat
Yamaha 250 4 Stroke
