Fishing with "Ralph"

[Ridgeratt]

Ok so here's my question.
I have a 2 rod endorsement and so that means I can use 2 rods Hard water fishing. But I also would like to use " Ralph" while I'm fishing I figure it will be a whole lot easier to just use a ice rod to make him dance. Since he has no hooks and is just a swim decoy is this gonna get me a batch of trouble I don't need?
 
 

Along with a Steven's County Fish Finder!!

[Fishnclifff]

If the water is open to 2 rods -- go for it.

[Hunterman]

Using a fish decoy  never heard of such a thing. I would think that you could use Ralph along with the two poles.

Hunterman(Tony)

[Ridgeratt]

Ralph would be on a 3rd rod. But he doesn't have any hooks just a way to make him dance!!! I would still be fishing with only 2 rods!!

[billythekidrock]

I bet that would be a ticket. You have an endorsement for two rods, but are actually using three.

[Ridgeratt]

Using a fish decoy  never heard of such a thing. I would think that you could use Ralph along with the two poles.

Hunterman(Tony)

serious!! it is just a motion decoy it sends vibrations and movement

I'm just learning about fishing!!!   

[bigtex]

If there is no hook then there is no violation.

[Ridgeratt]

I bet that would be a ticket. You have an endorsement for two rods, but are actually using three.

So that means leaving him on my hunk of PVC? He has no hooks and technically he is just a motion decoy.

[bigtex]

I bet that would be a ticket. You have an endorsement for two rods, but are actually using three.

So that means leaving him on my hunk of PVC? He has no hooks and technically he is just a motion decoy.

You can have him on a rod as long as there is no hook

[billythekidrock]

I bet that would be a ticket. You have an endorsement for two rods, but are actually using three.

So that means leaving him on my hunk of PVC? He has no hooks and technically he is just a motion decoy.

You can have him on a rod as long as there is no hook

I have read about too many bs tickets to believe that he wouldn't be at risk.

[Ridgeratt]

With the temps we have "Ralph" gets to go swimmin!!!! 

[Ridgeratt]

Ralph may get his day in court!!!

Let's roll the dice!!!

[bigtex]

I bet that would be a ticket. You have an endorsement for two rods, but are actually using three.

So that means leaving him on my hunk of PVC? He has no hooks and technically he is just a motion decoy.

You can have him on a rod as long as there is no hook

I have read about too many bs tickets to believe that he wouldn't be at risk.

The law is pretty simple.

(1) It is unlawful for any person to use more than one line while angling for personal use, except:
(a) Anglers in possession of a valid two-pole endorsement may use up to two lines while fishing in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs open to fishing unless listed as an exception in WAC 220-55-220. Anglers in possession of a valid two-pole endorsement may use up to two lines while fishing in rivers and marine areas as noted in WAC 220-55-220 and 232-28-619.

(17) "Hook and line" or "angling" shall be identical in meaning and, except as provided in WAC 220-56-115, shall be defined as the use of not more than one line with three hooks attached to a pole held in hand while landing fish, or the use of a hand operated line without rod or reel, to which may be attached not more than three hooks. When fishing for bottom fish, "angling" and "jigging" shall be identical in meaning.

You are not considered to be "angling" unless your line has a hook. Another example, you can take a pole with just a weight on it and cast all day long into closed waters, you are not violating a law because you have no hook and cannot catch a fish.

[Ridgeratt]

My guess is alot of folks don't fish Hard Water!!!

[TONTO]

 Just be prepaired to explain it. From shore if a gammie spies you with three rods then he is probably going to pay you a visit. You should be legal, doesn't mean the gammie is going to be happy. I do agree though, no hook, you're not fishing.

[Ridgeratt]

Well many years ago when my Dad was Still kicking around he had built a couple of ice fishing sleds! We were on Waitts lake I had a WDFW official knock on the outside. I answered  " Nobody's Home" the response was I can smell the coffee. Guess ya shouldn't be brewing fresh coffee then. Most of the guys who have to walk on the ice are pretty fair folks. You just have to be straight up with them.

[kenzmad]

I used to go the Cedar River during the closed season with a flyrod and flies with the hooks cut off. This was practice on my line mending and strike indicators. Got stopped by a gamie once. He thought he had me til i showed him my setup. He did mention me coming close to  harassing the fish. Not sure what that meant.

[Fishnclifff]

I think that is where you would be in a jam--harassing the fish.

If you were fishing with 2 poles--hooks on 1 and Ralph on the other, maybe you would be okay.
A third rod-probably a ticket.

I think there is a rule about herding the fish or harassing the fish toward something.

I'll have to look that one up.

[Skillet]

Bigtex is right - you're in the clear to use ralph on a third rod!
Good luck out there - you mind sharing an ice report?

[Ridgeratt]

Bigtex is right - you're in the clear to use ralph on a third rod!
Good luck out there - you mind sharing an ice report?

Well from what I have heard Silver is icing up on both ends the middle is still open and the perch are real small.
 Eloika they figure should be a good run this weekend.
Waitts should be getting close since the temps haven't been over the teens all week. Its had some good sized perch during the summer.
A few of the places up by the farm should be stellar hard water since it hasn't broke out of single numbers either.
I haven't got a solid hit on Bead yet but since it is in a hole protected it couild be good also.

Perhaps "Ralph" will post some photos of his results!!! But he is kind of shy. 

[Curly]

That Stevens county fish finder pic made me crack up.     

[sebek556]

maybe give ralph to a youth, and let him "play" in the water... 

[Ridgeratt]

How do you know I'm not a kid!! Or perhaps a kid at heart!!

[Curly]

I bet a warden would get a kick out of Ralph.

[sebek556]

when I'm sitting on my bucket out at waitts this year and I see a guy playing with a fish toy on the end of a pole I'll know who it is atleast 

[KFhunter]

hey is that a fuse hanging out of ralph?

Well it is Stevens county 

[Skillet]

Thanks for the ice report - I have it on good authority Moses has 5" of solid ice and is kicking out moderate numbers of perch.  Will be popping holes somewhere on the 21st, but can't make it out before that!

[Ridgeratt]

You will be in Moses? I may have to take "Ralph" for a road trip and put a name with a face from one of you wrong sider's.

[Ridgeratt]

hey is that a fuse hanging out of Ralph?

Well it is Stevens county 

If you want to hold on to him and stand above him on the Ice I guess we could work something out!!
But 20 years ago I did buy a cartopper from a local up there and he told me everything went with the boat except the case of dynamite he had set in it!! 

[Skillet]

You will be in Moses? I may have to take "Ralph" for a road trip and put a name with a face from one of you wrong sider's.

Is the ice going to be thick enough to handle the force when worlds collide?? 

Definitely fishing on the 21st.  We'll be on Moses or "other", depending on what intel I get between now and then.  Will let you know via PM as time draws near.  Would like to meet Ralph and see what he can do!

[Ridgeratt]

hey is that a fuse hanging out of ralph?

Well it is Stevens county 

Ralph will be in Stevens County in the morning to see if we can get in trouble!!!   

He's kind of shy but he may post photos of his success or his trip off the ice in handcuff's.


Laissez les bons temps rouler.

[Florida_Native]

Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Let the good times roll!  Planing on doing a southern fish fry for New Years! Cheese grits, coleslaw and all!

[lokidog]

If there is no hook then there is no violation.

We agree once again, wow.     In my mind, it is no different than attaching a dodger to your downrigger ball as an attractant and attaching your line with hooks above it. 

Ralph seems a bit dull, I think he needs a little flash tape on the sides.  Good luck.

[Ridgeratt]

Well "Ralph" and I took off this morning enjoying the fine eastern Washington roads. Sort of a giant slip and slide.

Made it to the lake and there was only one person setting in solitude. I wandered out to see how he was doing and he had just got there. I was checking around holes for the evidence of some fish caught.
Undaunted I went back and got my gear punched half a dozen holes the ice was a solid 5 1/2 to 6 clear hard water.
In 28 feet of water it was pretty empty with the Stevens County Fish finder. But I was unfazed.

"RALPH" your up!! Get your helmet and get in there. He started to do his magic dance and I could see fish coming off the bottom to check him out. Sweet! I threw almost everything I had in the bucket at them. They would come and look but fishing was slow at best. I did manage to shanghi one German Brown (Maybe 14) and had about half a dozen hits some of which just wouldn't stick.

When I left there was 2 fish tents set up and maybe 5 or 6 folks running and gunning.

[Curly]

Screen?  What!  Don't tell me you didn't try the Stevens County fish finder method for locating fish? 

[Ridgeratt]

Oops sorry corrected it!!!!

Ya that's what I meant!!

[Florida_Native]

I don't think it was Ralph. It was a tough morning on Moses lake. Myself and the only other guys out there only got 2 each.  I drilled at least 10 holes. got a few
 more bites but nothing would commit

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Be curious how the hard water fishing goes with buddy Ralf?

[Ridgeratt]

You would be amazed as to what we miss while ice fishing. The amount of fish that check out what your throwing at them.
I fished Waitts the last day of 13 and the first day of 14. When I was leaving on Tuesday a batch of younger diehards were dragging the Frabill fishing sleds out. I got back to the lake around 9 the next day. At the pit can there was evidence they had a good time 2 empty boxes of beer cans. But the car tracks on the ice were they where driving spinning Broadies.  No large holes in the ice so it's all good.

[Ridgeratt]

Bringing this back to the top for a reference when I may get in trouble soon.

Figure I will use Bigtex as a reference.