Snagging

For other uses, see Snag (disambiguation).

Snagging, also known as snag fishing, snatching, snatch fishing, or foul hooking, is a method of fishing that entails catching a fish using hooks without the fish having to take the bait with their mouth. This is achieved by pulling the fishing line out of the water very quickly as soon as any movement is felt on the line, with the intention of piercing the fish in the flesh with the hook. Weighted lures with multiple hooks are often used to increase chances of success.

Some species, such as paddlefish, are not attracted to bait or lures as they eat plankton. While these fish can be taken using nets or spears, snagging is also used. However, for fish species that can be enticed to strike natural or artificial lures, the use of snagging techniques is often discouraged or prohibited as it is viewed as violating the doctrine of "fair chase" and has been associated with social problems and overfishing.

Technique

After first casting a hook into the water, a snagger will wait until a fish 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
Alabama	Prohibited with exceptions.
Alaska	Prohibited with exceptions.
Arizona	Prohibited with exceptions.
Arkansas	Prohibited with exceptions.
California	Legal only rough fish I.e carp.
Colorado	Prohibited with exceptions.
Connecticut	Prohibited with exceptions.
Delaware	Prohibited with exceptions.
District of Columbia	Illegal.
Florida	Unknown.
Georgia	Illegal.
Hawaii	Legal but prohibited in certain areas.
Idaho	Illegal.
Illinois	Legal for some species during certain seasons.
Indiana	Illegal.
Iowa	Prohibited with exceptions.
Kansas	Legal for Paddlefish.
Kentucky	Legal for some species.
Louisiana	Prohibited with exceptions.
Maine	Prohibited with exceptions.
Maryland	Illegal.
Massachusetts	Illegal.
Michigan	Illegal.
Minnesota	Illegal.
Mississippi	Unknown.
Missouri	Prohibited with exceptions.
Montana	Prohibited with exceptions.
Nebraska	Prohibited with exceptions.
Nevada	Prohibited with exceptions.
New Hampshire	Prohibited in freshwater.
New Jersey	Prohibited with exceptions.
New Mexico	Prohibited with exceptions.
New York	Prohibited with exceptions.
North Carolina	Illegal.
North Dakota	Prohibited with exceptions.
Ohio	Prohibited with exceptions.
Oklahoma	Prohibited with exceptions.
Oregon	Prohibited with exceptions.
Pennsylvania	Illegal.
Rhode Island	Illegal.
South Carolina	Legal but prohibited in certain areas.
South Dakota	Prohibited with exceptions.
Tennessee	Prohibited with exceptions.
Texas	Illegal.
Utah	Illegal.
Vermont	Illegal.
Virginia	Illegal.
Washington	Illegal.
West Virginia	Permitted for certain species.
Wisconsin	Illegal.
Wyoming	Illegal.

See also

• Flossing