snagging

File:Snagging chinook salmon (4047386299).jpg]]

Snagging, also known as snag fishing, snatching, snatch fishing, jagging (Australia), or foul hooking, is a fishing technique for catching fish that uses sharp grappling hooks tethered to a fishing line to externally impale (i.e. "snag") into the flesh of the fish, without needing the fish to swallow any hook with its mouth like in angling. This is achieved by suddenly and vigorously pulling the line (either by handlining or with a rod) when movement is felt, causing the snag hook to "claw" into and grapple any nearby fish like a gaff. Weighted multi-hook rigs can be used to increase chances of success,{{cite web |url=http://fishbio.com/field-notes/inside-fishbio/snagged |title=Snagged |website=Fishbio |date=28 November 2011 |access-date=July 27, 2015}} and modern technologies such as underwater video camera can also be used to visually aid and time the snagging.

Some herbivorous/algaevorous fish species, such as paddlefish, are not attracted to normal angling baits or lures as they primarily filter-feed on plankton. While these fish can be caught using nets, spears or pole hooks, snagging is also used as a less strenuous and more versatile technique.{{cite web |url=http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/other-fishing-information/paddlefish-snagging-season/paddlefish-questions-and-answers |title=Paddlefish - Questions and Answers |website=North Dakota Game and Fish Department |date=2012 |access-date=July 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624063851/http://gf.nd.gov/fishing/other-fishing-information/paddlefish-snagging-season/paddlefish-questions-and-answers |archive-date=June 24, 2015 }} There are also some species of salmon that can be legally harvested by snagging, and are targeted as they migrate upstream to spawn, making them easier to target, and at a time when the fish are at the end of their life cycle.{{Cite web |last=Lance |date=2021-12-16 |title=Snagging Kokanee Salmon |url=https://kokanee.fish/snagging-kokanee-salmon/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Kokanee Fishing |language=en-US}}

For fish species that can be enticed easily with angling baits or lures, snagging techniques are often discouraged or prohibited as it causes far more mutilating injuries to the fish (especially to the gills and vital internal organs), which causes significant bleeding and infection risks that diminish the fish's chance of survival even after catch and release. Snagging, especially if using underwater video guidance, is viewed in many recreational fishing communities as an unethical practice violating the principle of fair chase,{{Citation |last=Merwin |first=John |title=The Sportsman's Dollar, Part 3 |newspaper=Field & Stream |location=New York, NY |volume=99 |issue=2 |date=June 1994 |pages=64–65 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=58nuOXdgkUYC&pg=PA64 |access-date=July 27, 2015}} and has been associated with overfishing (especially with multi-hook snag rigs) and other social controversies concerning animal cruelty.{{cite book |title=100 Weird Ways to Catch Fish |chapter=Snagging or Snatching: Subtle It's Not |page=152 |author=Waldman, John |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_bAWeHAHih8C&pg=PA151 |date=2004 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=9780811731799 |access-date=July 27, 2015}} In certain countries and regions, the technique is deemed illegal by local fisheries law.

Technique

After first casting a hook into the water, a snagger will wait until a fish is sighted, at which time they will reel in the hook until it is positioned above the fish. Once the fish is in line with the hook, the snagger then yanks on the line to "snag" the fish before attempting to reel it in. When fishing in a clear river, most snaggers will be able to observe their target's shadow or wake in the water to determine where their hooks need to be and when. To keep view of the hook, some snaggers use a brightly colored ribbon or cloth near the hook.

Legality

=United States=

Snagging, like other methods of fishing, is controlled by the wildlife regulating agency of each state. A list of the legality for each state follows.

State	Status
class="wikitable"
Alabama	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url=http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations \|title=Alabama Fishing Limits and General Regulations \|publisher=Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources \|access-date=1 September 2010 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830130403/https://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/ \|archive-date=30 August 2010 }}
Alaska	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url=http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Statewide/regulations/Statewideregs.cfm \|title=Sport Fish Regulations \|publisher=Alaska Department of Fish and Game \|access-date=1 September 2010 }}
Arizona	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url=http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fishing_glossary.shtml \|title=Fishing Glossary \|publisher=Arizona Game and Fish Department \|access-date=1 September 2010 }}
Arkansas	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url=https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/alternative-fishing-methods/ \|title=Alternative Fishing Methods \|publisher=Arkansas Game & Fish Commission \|access-date=March 30, 2018 \|year=2018 }}
California	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url = http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/FreshFish/ccr-t14-ch2-art1.html \|title = Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations \|publisher = California Department of Fish and Game \|access-date = 1 September 2010 \|url-status = dead \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100824213240/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/FreshFish/ccr-t14-ch2-art1.html \|archive-date = 24 August 2010 }}
Colorado	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url = http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/279EA0CB-C63F-4B49-8150-8B1DD38FB390/0/Ch01.pdf \|title = Colorado Wildlife Regulations Ch 01 \|publisher = Colorado Division of Wildlife \|access-date = 1 September 2010 \|url-status = dead \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100705123741/http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/279EA0CB-C63F-4B49-8150-8B1DD38FB390/0/Ch01.pdf \|archive-date = 5 July 2010 }}
Connecticut	Prohibited, with exceptions {{cite web \|url=http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&depNav_GID=1630&q=322696 \|title=DEP: Inland Sport Fishing Definitions \|publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection \|access-date=1 September 2010 }}
Delaware	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Gamefish.aspx \|title=Gamefish and General Freshwater Fishing Restrictions \|publisher=Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife \|access-date=1 September 2010 \|archive-date=10 November 2010 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110051356/http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Gamefish.aspx \|url-status=dead }}
District of Columbia	Illegal {{cite web \|url=http://ddoe.dc.gov/service/regulated-fishing-activities \|title=Regulated Fishing Activities \|publisher=District Department of the Environment \|access-date=29 May 2015 }}
Florida	Permitted for certain species, except in certain areas {{cite web \|url=https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/taking-fish/ \|title=Fish and Wildlife Research Institute \|publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission \|access-date=17 February 2023 }}
Georgia	Illegal {{cite web \|url = http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1299 \|title = Freshwater and Trout Fishing Methods \|publisher = Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division \|access-date = 1 September 2010 \|url-status = dead \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100923025017/http://georgiawildlife.com/node/1299 \|archive-date = 23 September 2010 }}
Hawaii	Legal, but prohibited in certain areas {{cite web \|url=http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/fishing.html \|title=Fishing - Common Questions \|publisher=Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources \|access-date=1 September 2010 }}
Idaho	Illegal {{cite web \|url = http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/rules/generalFishInfo.pdf \|title = General Fishing Season Information \|publisher = Idaho Department of Fish and Game \|access-date = 23 June 2012 \|url-status = dead \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120522175651/http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/rules/generalFishInfo.pdf \|archive-date = 22 May 2012 }}
Illinois	Legal for some species during certain seasons{{cite web \|url=http://www.dnr.state.il.us/fish/digest/2010%20fishing%20guide.zip \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719021140/http://www.dnr.state.il.us/fish/digest/2010%20fishing%20guide.zip \|archive-date=July 19, 2011 \|url-status=dead \|title=2010 Illinois Fishing Information \|page=5}}
Indiana	Illegal{{cite web \|url=http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5870.htm#snag \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901174416/http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5870.htm#snag \|archive-date=September 1, 2010 \|url-status=dead \|title=General Fishing Regulations}}
Iowa	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://www.iowadnr.gov/law/regs/regs_fish.pdf \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527143254/http://www.iowadnr.gov/law/regs/regs_fish.pdf \|archive-date=May 27, 2010 \|url-status=dead \|title=2010 Iowa Fishing Regulations}}
Kansas	Legal for paddlefish{{cite web\|url=http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Paddlefish-Snagging \|title=Paddlefish Snagging / Fishing Regulations / Fishing / KDWPT - KDWPT \|publisher=Kdwp.state.ks.us \|access-date=2015-07-27}}
Kentucky	Legal for some species[http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/2010fishguidefishingregs.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104031130/http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/2010fishguidefishingregs.pdf\|date=November 4, 2010}}
Louisiana	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/methods-recreationally-taking-freshwater-and-saltwater-fish \|title=Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries \|publisher=Wlf.louisiana.gov \|access-date=2015-07-27 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185956/http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/methods-recreationally-taking-freshwater-and-saltwater-fish \|archive-date=2016-03-03 }}
Maine	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://www.maine.gov/ifw/laws_rules/fishing/pdfs/Laws%26Definitions.pdf \|title=Laws & Rules: Maine IF&W \|publisher=Maine.gov \|access-date=2015-07-27 \|archive-date=2017-02-28 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228184306/https://www1.maine.gov/IFW/laws_rules/fishing/pdfs/Laws%26Definitions.pdf \|url-status=dead }}
Maryland	Illegal{{cite web \|url=http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishing_guide/2010_MD_Fishing_Guide_Final_LowRes.pdf \|title=2010 Maryland Fishing Guide \|access-date=2010-09-03 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211101723/http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishing_guide/2010_MD_Fishing_Guide_Final_LowRes.pdf \|archive-date=2009-12-11 }}
Massachusetts	Illegal[http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/abstracts/hunt_fish_abstracts.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810135835/http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/abstracts/hunt_fish_abstracts.pdf\|date=August 10, 2010}}
Michigan	Illegal[http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52261_52262-211038--,00.html] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120162543/http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52261_52262-211038--,00.html\|date=January 20, 2010}}
Minnesota	Illegal{{cite web \|url=http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing2010.pdf \|title=Minnesota Fishing Regulations 2010 \|publisher=Files.dnr.state.mn.us \|access-date=2015-07-28 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226033246/http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing2010.pdf \|archive-date=2014-12-26 }}
Mississippi	Unknown[http://home.mdwfp.com/Fisheries/Default.aspx] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604191214/http://home.mdwfp.com/Fisheries/Default.aspx\|date=June 4, 2011}}
Missouri	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-provisions/general-fishing-methods \|title=General Fishing Methods \| Missouri Department of Conservation \|publisher=Mdc.mo.gov \|access-date=2015-07-27 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624092648/http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/general-fishing-provisions/general-fishing-methods \|archive-date=2012-06-24 }}
Montana	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=41950 \|format=PDF \|title=FWP Administrative Regions with Fishing Districts in Color \|publisher=Fwpiis.mt.gov \|access-date=2015-07-28 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172328/http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=41950 \|archive-date=2016-03-03 }}
Nebraska	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web\|url=http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/Fishing/guides/fishguide/pdf/FishGuide.pdf \|title=2015 : Information for Regulations \|publisher=Outdoornebraska.ne.gov \|access-date=2015-07-28 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413232145/http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/fishing/guides/fishguide/pdf/FishGuide.pdf \|archive-date=2015-04-13 }}
Nevada	Prohibited, with exceptions[http://www.ndow.org/law/regs/fishregs/nv_fish_regs_2010_lr.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720015958/http://www.ndow.org/law/regs/fishregs/nv_fish_regs_2010_lr.pdf\|date=July 20, 2011}}
New Hampshire	Prohibited in freshwater[http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_PDFs/FW_Fishing_Guide.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206015902/http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_PDFs/FW_Fishing_Guide.pdf\|date=December 6, 2006}}
New Jersey	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web\|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2010/digfsh10-regs.pdf \|title=License Information \|publisher=State.nj.us \|access-date=2015-07-28}}
New Mexico	Prohibited, with exceptions[http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/documents/rib/2010/10-11_Fishing_RIB.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728044317/http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/documents/rib/2010/10-11_Fishing_RIB.pdf\|date=July 28, 2010}}
New York	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web \|url=http://pub.jfgriffin.com/doc/jfgriffin/10NYFW \|title=2015-2016 New York Freshwater Fishing Regulations – The Official New York Department of Environmental Conservation Freshwater Fishing Guide \| New York Freshwater Fishing Guide \| eRegulations.com \|publisher=Pub.jfgriffin.com \|access-date=2015-07-27 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203103152/http://pub.jfgriffin.com/doc/jfgriffin/10NYFW \|archive-date=2010-12-03 }}
North Carolina	Illegal[http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/2010_11/2010-11_RegsDigest.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821070753/http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/2010_11/2010-11_RegsDigest.pdf\|date=August 21, 2010}}
North Dakota	Prohibited, with exceptions[http://gf.nd.gov/regulations/fish/pdf/2010-2012fish-guide.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528033114/http://gf.nd.gov/regulations/fish/pdf/2010-2012fish-guide.pdf\|date=May 28, 2010}}
Ohio	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web\|url=http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/fishing_general.aspx \|title=ODNR Division of Wildlife - Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Birding, Wildlife Viewing & Research in Ohio \|publisher=Ohiodnr.com \|access-date=2015-07-27}}
Oklahoma	Prohibited, with exceptions[http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/regs/2010fishguide.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103121450/http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/regs/2010fishguide.pdf\|date=January 3, 2010}}
Oregon	Prohibited, with exceptions[http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2010_Oregon_Sport_Fishing_Regs.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204034101/http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2010_Oregon_Sport_Fishing_Regs.pdf\|date=December 4, 2010}}
Pennsylvania	Illegal[http://fishandboat.com/fishpub/summary/z00complete.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327013700/http://fishandboat.com/fishpub/summary/z00complete.pdf\|date=March 27, 2010}}
Rhode Island	Illegal[http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/fishwild/fish1011.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714070332/http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/fishwild/fish1011.pdf\|date=July 14, 2010}}
South Carolina	Legal, but prohibited in certain areas{{cite web \|url=http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishregs/restrictions.html \|title=Unlawful Actions & Penalties Associated with Title 50 Chapter 13 Protection of Fish \|publisher=South Carolina Department of Natural Resources \|access-date=24 April 2014 }}
South Dakota	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web\|url=http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/docs/fishing-handbook.pdf \|title=South Dakota 2011 Fishing Handbook \|publisher=Gfp.sd.gov \|access-date=2015-07-28}}
Tennessee	Prohibited, with exceptions{{cite web\|url=http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/fishguide.pdf \|title=Tennessee Fishing guide 2015-2016 \|publisher=State.tn.us \|access-date=2015-07-28}}
Texas	Illegal[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/regulations_summary_2010_2011.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725210105/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/regulations_summary_2010_2011.pdf\|date=July 25, 2010}}
Utah	Illegal[http://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2010_fishing/2010_fishing.pdf] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816142344/http://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2010_fishing/2010_fishing.pdf\|date=August 16, 2010}}
Vermont	Illegal{{cite web \|url=http://pub.jfgriffin.com/doc/jfgriffin/10vtab/2009120702/ \|title=2015 Vermont Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Guide – The Official Vermont Fish and Wildlife Regulations Guide \| Vermont Fish and Wildlife Regulations \| eRegulations.com \|publisher=Pub.jfgriffin.com \|access-date=2015-07-27 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201065656/http://pub.jfgriffin.com/doc/jfgriffin/10vtab/2009120702 \|archive-date=2010-12-01 }}
Virginia	Illegal{{cite web\|url=http://www.mrc.state.va.us/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm \|format=PDF \|title=Virginia Marine Resources Commission : Recreational Fishing Regulations for Virginia's Marine Waters \|publisher=Mrc.state.va.us \|access-date=2015-07-28}}
Washington	Illegal {{cite web \|url=http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00957/wdfw00957.pdf \|title=Washington State 2010-2011 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet \|publisher=Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife \|access-date=21 March 2011 }}
West Virginia	Permitted for certain species{{cite web\|url=http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Regs10/RegsOtherMethods.pdf \|title=Regulations - Other Methods of Fishing \|publisher=Wvdnr.org \|access-date=2015-07-28}}
Wisconsin	Illegal[http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/20432/50594/pub/] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421023524/http://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/2/20432/50594/pub/\|date=April 21, 2010}}
Wyoming	Illegal{{cite web \|url=http://gf.state.wy.us/downloads/pdf/fishregs.pdf \|title=Wyoming Game & Fish Department \|publisher=Gf.state.wy.us \|access-date=2015-07-27 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105205530/http://gf.state.wy.us/downloads/pdf/fishregs.pdf \|archive-date=2012-01-05 }}

=United Kingdom=

In the United Kingdom, the use of a stroke-haul or snatch, which includes any device designed to foul-hook salmon, trout or other freshwater fish, is prohibited by Section 1 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/51/pdfs/ukpga_19750051_en.pdf |title=Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 |publisher=UK Government |access-date=August 13, 2020}} However, this legislation rationalised a number of previous Acts of Parliament, and the use of such devices was originally banned in 1851, although at the time it only applied to the taking of salmon and trout, but was subsequently extended to include all freshwater fish. The logic behind this was that foul-hooking was not a method that was legitimate either for commercial or sporting purposes, but was used by poachers, and this was reiterated by the Bledisloe Report published in 1961.{{cite book |last=Howarth |first=William |title=Freshwater Fishery Law |publisher=Financial Training Publications |year=1987 |isbn=978-1-85185-030-3}}

References

Category:Recreational fishing