By the time it's in my trash bag it's no longer a jug line, it's usually more like a bunch of cut up string and a just that I've taken my frustrations out on.

About the only time I'm wasting my time to check to see if a jug is legal or not is if it's cause problems for me, either tangled in my prop or trolling motor or hooked on my line or something like that.

I guess a question I have is what are you doing getting so close to someones jug to get a prop in it?

I run a lot of jugs, and I get so close we just reach out with our hands to pick them up. In 5 years I've never had a prop in a line....that just really puzzles me...

I've had my jugs occasionally get caught on someone trot line....do I cut their line....HELL NO....I remove my hook...I've been known to cut my own hook off my jug as to not destroy their line...

btw, doesn't matter if it's junk and tore up in your sack...if it's a fishing device with ANY line and Hook, it's an illegal fishing device in your boat!

I am 65, been fishing a long time mostly for bass.Everyone has a different bag.As long as it is legal whats the problem.They paid their fee.However if I am out fishing and see a trout or jug line if it is not tagged or out of date, I too will also cut the line.In all of my yrs of fishing I have never caught my motors in a line,baits yes and like I said if it is not legal I will cut it.Grow up fellows, live and let live.Happy trails.

Why cant we all just get along.

I enjoy all kinds of fishing.The arrogance of some fishermen {any style}amazes me.

I have had my trolling motor wrapped up in a trout line a couple of times, usually from the ones that are tied just below the surface in submerged trees.

I've hit a couple of jug lines, but only one wrapped up in the prop. These were cases where the jug lines were so close together and across an opening to a cove. I'd still have to share responsibility for hitting them, but at the same time they were blocking access to a lot of water too.

I usually don't mess with them unless they cause problems for me. It's been a number of years since I have seen either one that was obviously abandoned.

But for me if they cause problems they are fair game. Same as any other idiot on the water causing problems for me.

WOW

problem we get into is people thinking "their" way is the only way to fish....some only prefer live bait and shun those using lures and vice versa...some (even on this thread) think jugging is lazy and not a way to fish.....those of us that jug thinks it's an appropriate way to fish...to each his own....I don't mess with you, you don't mess with me...let's all enjoy the water and catch some fish.

I've seen bass fisherman come right in the middle of my spread, when they should have been hugging the docks and weed banks....I've seen tubers and jet skis using my jugs as ski pylons....

we all have to share the water and enjoy being out there...just cause someone fishes "differently" than you doesn't make it wrong and worthy of you destroying their property!

After explaining why you have this "illegal Jug line" in your boat to the warden, he more than likely will thank you and agree with what your doing and send you on your way. I think the warden can take one look in your boat and determine wether or not your a jug fisherman....I mean layerman or not.

According to GW at Texoma, it is illegal for anyone except the GW to pickup any jug, (used or abandoned)other than the owner. They are trying to get a law that allows a person to pickup old abandoned jugs on certain days under the direction of the GW. This was posted on another web site talking about jugs lines and GW was in conversation, (both OK and TX GW's)

ELK34 nice response. BOB your statement about the GW is a judgment call that i would not want to take.[having a bad day/ your word against his!] The bottom line is it is the GW responsablty to remove them. If some one would call in a complaint to the GW about illeagal line's that they would remove them!

This may not seem relevant, but bear with me ...

Along the coast, there is a short (about two weeks) closed season on ANY kind of crab traps, whether recreational or commercial. The purpose of this rule as I understand it, is to identify abandoned/illegal traps & remove them. During this timeframe anyone can remove the traps from the water & dispose of them.

Would a similar rule make sense for juglines in freshwater? A one week closure on their use so that the true trash can get disposed of by anyone out there? I'm asking this sincerely, so please don't beat me too hard ...

A very good suggestion, but juglines are allowed to be in the water for 30 days, there is no season at this time, and allowing fresh water anglers to take the law into their own hands is gonna get some one hurt. I bet the guys who claim to cut them all the time don't do it in front of alot of boats.

Matt

Man catches dude cutting his jug line

http://www.break.com/index/man-jumps-into-dudes-boat-to-fight.html

Matt, I know what the rules are now ... I was asking a 'what if' type thing. Personally, the only time I can say I would remove one is if it was so obviously decrepit & old (covered with moss, algae) that it would pose a hazard to normal boaters. Or if one somehow did get wrapped in my prop - have never had that happen though.

On the other hand, I've called game wardens twice for unmarked juglines ... kinda hard not to notice when your drift bumps you over a jug & you can see theres no markings or tags.