Angling Ethics: “Yo-Yoing” & Its Presence in Striper Fishing



Posted: Friday, August 22, 2008

by Guy Mitrano
Burlington Boatyard

Today on the front page of the Wall Street Journal there is a story entitled "For Massachusetts Fishermen, A Weighty Debate About Fair Play" which discusses a recent event involving a common baiting technique called "Yo-Yoing".

The article highlights a gentleman who caught a 57lb Striped bass last fall during the annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby, and while he was under the impression this was the winning fish, his hopes were deflated after the judges opened the Striper to reveal two pounds of lead weights.

The gentleman was not the angler to have caused the presence of these weights, but rather it was the work of those seeking out the fish on prior attempts with this technique of yo-yoing, where the bait fish is filled with a single lead sinker, enabling it to rest on the ocean bottom and move in the same way that would cause a Striper to go for the kill. As those who have been Striper fishing before may know, often times the line may break when trying to land the fish, or more commonly the fish will make off with the bait, leaving just the hook behind. Beyond the fact of causing "fake weigh-ins" for derby results, the issue has raised much attention regarding the presence of the lead that could cause harmful consequences for the fish and those that eat them later on. Much controversy surrounds these theories, amongst anglers, general public, and state health and wildlife associations alike. Some feel the lead leaders are spit out by the fish more often than swallowed, where others feel the lead will contaminate the water, fish and the next angler to reel him in and make a meal of it.

While there is no Striper fishing taking place on Lake Champlain, this is an issue that can cause opinions to be heard by all anglers regardless if it is fresh or salt water locations that they primarily spend time fishing. We would like to know your stance on the practice of "yo-yoing" and others like it, that may or may not increase the chances of catching fish while possibly posing environmental concerns that can occur thereafter.

For the full story, visit the Wall Street Journal article here, and watch the video to see a Massachusetts fisherman give his opinion.

We encourage you to comment on this piece below, as it could provide insight to the many opinions out there regarding fishing practices and health in general.

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