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Using Light & Guts in the Water
#1
I've heard from some that it's illegal to use lights while fishing. I've never done it, but supposedly light on the surface (think spotlight) or a submersible light attached to your line (Wal-Mart sells lit bobbers) or any sort of submersible light in the water attracts fish.

I'm not so sure what I think of it. A lit bobber makes sense in that you can see your bobber when it's dark...but as far as attracting fish, the bobber can be a good chunk of feet away from your bait. What good is that? I suppose I'm thinking the same way for a submersible / floating light that you've got strung out into the water a ways.

I could see maybe a high power spotlight attracting fish to the beam, or I suppose bugs and such that fish like to eat...but I can't really see it working.

In any case, I wouldn't be against trying it, LOL. As the first line of this post says, I've been told it's illegal, but I can't find it in the fishing rules at all. Just looking for a bit of clarification on the subject, maybe some experience / opinion thrown into the mix. I may just call Fish and Game and ask about it.

Speaking of that, I called and asked F&G about throwing guts back into a body of water because some say it's illegal (on grounds of chumming), others say it isn't. The guy I talked to said he personally throws the guts back, better in the water than on the bank...but there was an awkward silence when I asked about possible chumming implications, to which he replied and I quote "Well, I guess as long as we don't observe you throwing it to your line in the water and it's not just sitting next to your line it wouldn't be a problem." Still not sure what to think of his answer. Essentially "Do it if you want but if we see you do it we might see it as citation worthy. Take the chance."

After asking the question I did a google search and got to reading about whirling disease, but my thoughts there is that if this fish with whirling disease was just swimming around all funky in the water, wouldn't it spread to other fish, guts in the water or not? I really have no clue. Thoughts on this one as well?
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#2
My understanding is that it was illegal in Idaho to fish with artificial light, but that it was too hard to enforce and is legal again. The light is supposed to attract plankton, which then attracts minnows and bigger fish follow. You still can't snag the fish and have to get them to take your bait, although you could snag Carp.

As far as throwing the guts into the water, it is food for catfish and crawdads. Plenty of fish and birds and other animals die and sink to the bottom. I wouldn't worry about F&G thinking you are chumming unless you are actively targeting fish with it. Two feet from the shore isn't chumming. Heck, you could always put the guts on a treble hook and chum legally.
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#3
Lights are legal and very effective. Green submersible light seems to be the best. I wouldnt worry about chumming but if you have 150 fish to clean might as well go to a cleaning station or do it at home. guts make good food for your roses or garden. I hate walking up to the edge of a lake or river and see fish guts all over.
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#4
Me with 150 fish for cleaning? No way Jose!

Thanks for the clarification.
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