Foul Hook Jigging

[whit]

Does anyone have a good answer as to why a large nnumber of Sauger and walleye get foul hooked while jigging? I fish the Illinois River and find many get belly hooked. Also is it true that in some states a foul hooked fish is not a legal catch and is supposed to be released?

[Tom22]

I believe that the small eyes will see your jig hit bottom and lay on top of it to prevent the other fish from seeeing and or eating it.. I hook alot of small eyes under the jaw or in belly... It seems to happen when there are lots of juvenile fish in the river...Illegal in mich. to keep foul hooked fish..

[Targa 18]

Hey Tom your right it is illeagel to keeep a foul hooked fish in mich but it sure dosent stop the guys on the saginaw river!!!! I was always wondering if the fish you hook under the jaw went for the bait and spit it then you hooked them.O well who really knows why you snag them there?Tight lines see you on the water!!!!!!

[Cangl]

The fish have a tendency to "pinch" the jig into the the bottom at a downward 45 degree angle so with "the" snap hook set the jig is pentrating any where from the jaw bottom to the tail. With thick groups or pods the side fins are snagged from in front or behind. If you call that walleye fishing figure the price of the fine versus cost per pound. Some tend to beleive they are "fishing"!!

Thats no joke, just thieves plain and simple.

[Tom]

happens here on the Allegheny river when the fish start stacking up, i,ve never had this problem with just a jig and minnow but it can get real bad with a blade bait, your right thats not fishing and thats why when it starts to happen i will either switch to another bait or just quit fishing its no fun and to be honest it gets to be a pain in the butt, i had a fella quit fishing with me cause i would not let him snag like that.




Tom}>

[Foul Hooker]

Illegal in Ohio as well. Can be a big problem durring the spawn on the little Maumey river. Also called snagging.