Jug Fishing

[SkunkedAgain]

So I was wondering if Jug fishing is legal?  As a kid, I may have taken part in a little jug fishing.  That is where one would get a good floating jug, like say a gallon glass jug, then tie a line and a hook to it and leave it soaking until a fish would get a hold of it, and then you'd spend the next half hour trying to catch up with the jug and pull the fish in... By the way what is the statue of limitations on said violation, if it is one...  Hopefully it's less than 50 years... I didn't know any better as a kid and we spent our summers building rafts and fishing and one day we came up with this idea and had a total blast that day chasing down carp that had grabbed our hooks... Seems like we had a new row boat, so this was a great exercise for a kid to learn how to row a boat while trying to catch up with those jugs... Anyway just wondering if that would be legal to do again?  I think all we would catch was carp and bullhead catfish and we let them all go, but it sure was fun... Just thinking of some of the fun stuff we used to do as kids during the summer time...  Later Jeff

[Fritzfishin]

I've asked, it's illegal unless fished like a set line it's got to be anchored to something so it dosent drift all over the lake

[SkunkedAgain]

That's kind of what reminded me about it was Brett's post about set lines... Guess I'll have to re-read those rules to see if both ends of the set line has to be anchored, or just the one... That way you could still have a limited chase... But then again might not be as fun as an adult as it was as a kid.... Thanks for the info so I don't try it and get a ticket... Jeff

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Guess this was something that worked best in the 1970's when there wasn't any boat traffic on Cutler so you didn't get in anyone's way... I could see how it would be a hazard to other boats, so probably not a great idea anymore, but it could have been fun... Later J

[TubeDude]

While jug fishing is not legal in Utah, it is a legal and fun way to fish for cats in many other states.  But this is Utah.  And someone might use live minnows and catch a hatchery pet rainbow or something.  End of unpaid political announcement.

I may or may not have unwittingly violated the laws by fishing for cats under a big salt water bobber back in the 1970s...on Willard Bay...from my float tube.  When I got bored I put up my rod (fishing two rods was illegal in those days) and set out a big bobber with about 20 feet of line and a big piece of carp or sucker meat...or dead green sunfish (which was legal in those days).

When a fish got hooked it was a circus trying to catch up with the bobber using only fin power.  Cats have sensitive lateral lines and can tell when you are chasing them.  I solved the problem by casting a lure over the line to hook it and bring in the fish.

I am attaching an excerpt from my video on CATFISH...HOOK TO PAN

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks Pat, wonder if the anchored jug line would count as a setline so it would be legal... I'm going to research that when I get a few minutes free... Thanks for the PDF also, good read... Later Jeff

[RockyRaab2]

Technically, if you had a long line tied to the jug and also to the boat, it might be no different than using a hand line. Maybe. You could still only fish two such deals, or one while you also fish with a rod and reel.

A gallon jug would be overkill but a 20-oz water bottle might look like the regular trash we see every day. Just sayin'

[MrShane]

While jug fishing is not legal in Utah, it is a legal and fun way to fish for cats in many other states.  But this is Utah.  And someone might use live minnows and catch a hatchery pet rainbow or something.  End of unpaid political announcement.

I may or may not have unwittingly violated the laws by fishing for cats under a big salt water bobber back in the 1970s...on Willard Bay...from my float tube.  When I got bored I put up my rod (fishing two rods was illegal in those days) and set out a big bobber with about 20 feet of line and a big piece of carp or sucker meat...or dead green sunfish (which was legal in those 
When a fish got hooked it was a circus trying to catch up with the bobber using only fin power.  Cats have sensitive lateral lines and can tell when you are chasing them.  I solved the problem by casting a lure over the line to hook it and bring in the fish.

I am attaching an excerpt from my video on CATFISH...HOOK TO PAN

Heaven forbid if you were to use a live minnow in the same water it was harvested in while angling in Utah!
You crazy Man??

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Technically, if you had a long line tied to the jug and also to the boat, it might be no different than using a hand line. Maybe. You could still only fish two such deals, or one while you also fish with a rod and reel.

A gallon jug would be overkill but a 20-oz water bottle might look like the regular trash we see every day. Just sayin'

This method is even more fun at night if you put a glow stick in the water bottle.
Or so I’ve heard….

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While jug fishing is not legal in Utah, it is a legal and fun way to fish for cats in many other states.  But this is Utah.  And someone might use live minnows and catch a hatchery pet rainbow or something.  End of unpaid political announcement.

I may or may not have unwittingly violated the laws by fishing for cats under a big salt water bobber back in the 1970s...on Willard Bay...from my float tube.  When I got bored I put up my rod (fishing two rods was illegal in those days) and set out a big bobber with about 20 feet of line and a big piece of carp or sucker meat...or dead green sunfish (which was legal in those 
When a fish got hooked it was a circus trying to catch up with the bobber using only fin power.  Cats have sensitive lateral lines and can tell when you are chasing them.  I solved the problem by casting a lure over the line to hook it and bring in the fish.

I am attaching an excerpt from my video on CATFISH...HOOK TO PAN

Heaven forbid if you were to use a live minnow in the same water it was harvested in while angling in Utah!
You crazy Man??

[fast_randy]

When I was kid in the 60's we would ride our bikes from Roy down to Hooper and fish for Carp at Ogden Bay Bird Refuge. We just took line and hooks and a can of corn. We would tie some line to sticks and put some corn on the hook and toss them out in the water. Then when they hooked a carp we had to dive in and swim to catch our sticks. Those 10 pound carp could tow you around. I know corn and more than one line was illegal then. But we figured it didn't apply to carp.

[SkunkedAgain]

Crazy how when corn was illegal, it was what you wanted to use... Now it's legal, I think I've only tried it twice and didn't get a bite... Guess someone needs to teach me how to use it correctly so I can catch something on it...

Shane, that glowing jug sounds like a blast, too bad it's not legal... I'll bet the channels would be great at night... Maybe a set line with glowing floats at night would work legally too... Except for the part of tangled hooks wouldn't be fun to deal with in the dark... Maybe only put a couple hooks on it instead of the full 25 and it could be a blast... later Jeff

[RockyRaab2]

There are lots of Youtube vids on making catfish "jugs" from PVC and pool noodles. Wouldn't be hard to add a glow stick to the top end - and a line back to the boat to make it a legal hand line. One circle hook on a short dropper. Might be a hoot, day or night.

[Gone Forever]

From the proclamation;
Setline fishing
Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-8
Setlines are lines that are anchored to a
non-moving object and that are not attached
to a fishing pole.
Setline permits are available for $20 at
wildlife.utah.gov and from license agents and
Division offices.
A setline permit is a 365-day permit. If
you are 12 or older, you must also have an
unexpired three-day, seven-day, 365-day or
multi-year Utah fishing or combination license
in order to use a setline permit.
If you obtain a setline permit, and a Utah
fishing or combination license, you can use a
setline to take fish from the following waters:
Bear River proper (downstream from the Idaho
state line, including Cutler Reservoir and outlet
canals); Little Bear River below Valley View
Highway (SR-30); Malad River; and Utah Lake.
These are the only waters where use of a
setline is allowed.
The following rules apply to setline fishing:
•You may not fish with more than one
setline.
•A setline may not contain more than 15
hooks.
•When fishing with a setline, you must
be within 100 yards of the surface or the
bank of water you’re fishing from.
•One end of your setline must be attached
to a non-moving object that is not
attached to a fishing pole. Your setline
must also have a legible tag attached to
it that includes your name, address and
setline permit number.
•While fishing with a setline, you can also
fish with up to two fishing poles
The part that is very specific about one end of the max 15 hook set line being attached to a non movable object, (anchor?) and the other end CANNOT be attached to a fishing pole I would assume that the end not connected to a non movable object could be attached to anything, including a jug. There is also the distance stipulation that would have to be followed by remaining within 300 feet of either end of the set line at all times whether on the surface or on shore.

[RockyRaab2]

A jug would not be a non-movable object. Besides, the thread isn't about set lines.

[SkunkedAgain]

When I had my setline permit, I put floats on the line so I could see the movement near where the fish was, so I could take the fish off without having to pull the whole line. Have they changed the number of hooks? Or did I just forget?? I know when I built my setline I went off the regulation so if they reduced the number of hooks I may have to modify my line if I ever try it again... One thing on Cutler, the water is so shallow, that it was easy to put floats along the setline without changing the depth of the hooks very much... Was there a rule there that you had to have one end on shore? Or maybe that was just how I used mine, but I would take the anchor out in then go fish from bank and when I got fish, I'd take the pontoon out to retrieve the fish... If you were in a boat it might be more fun to just use two anchors one on each end, then pull it from the floats...

[Kent]

There is also the distance stipulation that would have to be followed by remaining within 300 feet of either end of the set line at all times whether on the surface or on shore.

I don't read the rules the way that you have interpreted them.  The rule, you quoted, stated:

"When fishing with a setline, you must
be within 100 yards of the surface or the
bank of water you’re fishing from."

I see no reference to distance from the set line, just distance from the water, where the setline is located.  I think one is within the law even if they are miles away from the setline as long as they are "... within 100 yards of the surface or the bank of water you're fishing from."

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong (it wouldn't be the first and likely not the last time).

[Gone Forever]

A jug would not be a non-movable object. Besides, the thread isn't about set lines.

Sorry.

Kent, You know I looked at the 100 yd rule for a while and just figured for posting purposes that, not wanting to lead anyone into breaking the law, the 300' would be measured from the set line placement.  "within 100 yards of the surface" to me means that if I set my line that I must stay within 100 yds of it on the surface of the waterbody or if one end is set on land that I must be within 100 yds of that point. Erroring on the safe side.
I have no idea if that is what is meant or not but being that the line must be marked with the fishers name and permit number I would hate to roll up on my line from across the lake and have the DNR waiting for me to inform me that I had to stay within 100 yds, or calling me to come get my gear and a ticket.

[Kent]

I have no idea if that is what is meant or not but being that the line must be marked with the fishers name and permit number I would hate to roll up on my line from across the lake and have the DNR waiting for me to inform me that I had to stay within 100 yds, or calling me to come get my gear and a ticket.

I just sent an email to the UDWR asking for clarification.  If I get a reply I will post it on this thread.

[MrShane]

Crazy how when corn was illegal, it was what you wanted to use... Now it's legal, I think I've only tried it twice and didn't get a bite... Guess someone needs to teach me how to use it correctly so I can catch something on it...

Shane, that glowing jug sounds like a blast, too bad it's not legal... I'll bet the channels would be great at night... Maybe a set line with glowing floats at night would work legally too... Except for the part of tangled hooks wouldn't be fun to deal with in the dark...  Maybe only put a couple hooks on it instead of the full 25 and it could be a blast... later Jeff

Hey Jeff,
My Grandpa and I used to run a set line on UL and had a blast.
We used 10 dropper hooks and that was all we felt like dealing with.
We would deploy baited set line, anchor boat about 40-50 yrds away and Catfish with rod/reel for 5 or 6 hours, then pull in set line at end of day as ‘dessert’ for our trip.
Man, I miss my Grandpa.

[fast_randy]

Jeff, a note on corn. i use it a lot when bait fishing here in idaho. You run several pieces up the hook onto the line. Sometimes i have 2" or more.

[SkunkedAgain]

Crazy how when corn was illegal, it was what you wanted to use... Now it's legal, I think I've only tried it twice and didn't get a bite... Guess someone needs to teach me how to use it correctly so I can catch something on it...

Shane, that glowing jug sounds like a blast, too bad it's not legal... I'll bet the channels would be great at night... Maybe a set line with glowing floats at night would work legally too... Except for the part of tangled hooks wouldn't be fun to deal with in the dark...  Maybe only put a couple hooks on it instead of the full 25 and it could be a blast... later Jeff

Hey Jeff,
My Grandpa and I used to run a set line on UL and had a blast.
We used 10 dropper hooks and that was all we felt like dealing with.
We would deploy baited set line, anchor boat about 40-50 yrds away and Catfish with rod/reel for 5 or 6 hours, then pull in set line at end of day as ‘dessert’ for our trip.
Man, I miss my Grandpa.

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Jeff, a note on corn. i use it a lot when bait fishing here in idaho. You run several pieces up the hook onto the line. Sometimes i have 2" or more.

Randy, thanks for your tips on the corn... Ya know the only place I have had success with corn was in Idaho.  We used to catch bluegill in Twin lakes by putting a single piece of corn on a salmon egg hook and drop it over the edge of the boat... We caught a bunch of fish that day...Later  Jeff

[joatmon]

Jeff, jugging sounds fun. I've watched several videos and it seems like a hoot. I guess with a setline permit (or as a second rod) you could anchor the end of your line on shore and put a jug out attached to it. Be more like a kite than a helium balloon when trying to track it down.

The one time I did use my setline with success, I anchored one end and had floats in the middle and the other end. For floats, I used 2-liter pop bottles painted orange, with glow sticks. I also fished my two rods at the same time. I did catch one catchfish near the anchored end, so never saw the floats move around. BTW, caught two other cats using a santee rig from shore.

I did try a setline while icefishing at UL a few times. No takers. Harder to deploy under the ice (I used a 10-foot piece of PVC pipe to push the far end away from me under the ice). May toy with it again next winter.

My assessment of the distance is from the shore or surface of the water body, not from the setline itself. So could conceivably deploy a setline, hop in the boat and fish, then return and pick up the setline. However, I'm reluctant to get too far away as a) I don't want anybody getting tangled in it and b) I don't want someone messing with it.

Man, maybe I need to get down to UL this evening...