saw a jug line today just bookin [censored] with no tag or info on it, tried to slide up to it and he just kept running away even with boat in drive it was a task... finally got around on it. of course no info nada on the cheap Walmart float... pulled it in to see and it was only a lil 5lb channel cat swimming the whole lake with a 3/4 oz. weight and lips bleeding soar after days being hooked. idk bout yall but I hate when amateurs do this and kill good fish

That sucks, I wouldn't even say this is amateurs as my fam and I are n00bs but more carelessness and/or lack of prioritization on the jug (ie. irresponsible?) how long do people normally leave jug lines out?

First off, it is as you described, obviously an illegal line if not tagged or IDd as law requires.

If the fish has been gouged by the hook (wallered out quite well where the hook was or is), then my advice is to release the fish.

Third, is that you are not an authorized agent of the law (for fishing), therefore for this reason, you should release the jugline. Except for one thing. If you have a magic marker on you, write this ... "This is an illegal line as it has no ID info on it. If caught, you will be fined." Note that you have shared information in a civil manner that they are being monitored. They will realize it was illegal not to identify it. You did not say that you will fine them, but a Game Warden surely will. Oh, almost forgot, be sure & tie the hook or hooks up in a manner that no more fish can be caught on it.


By doing it in this manner, you have set in motion proper awareness. And you have not overstepped your authority, but have left it for the proper authorities to confiscate it, or the owner to retrieve it and hopefully take heed to the warning.

Now had it had the proper ID info on the jug, it is a toss-up as to releasing the fish. Since it was gouged out as you say, obviously this jug got away from its owner. Another angle is that it may be expired as to the lawful date as per regulations, it still is the property of its owner, until the proper authority (such as a Game Warden) removes it from the body of water. You can expedite this by notifying a Game Warden of it.