Pouting as Legal Bait

Member Joined: Nov 15, 2007 Posts: 18

Unless I being particularily dense or missing a trick here somewhere it does strike me that often the Sea fishing magazines and the occasional fishing prog on TV refer to using Pouting as bait for larger fish. I'm sure that the fish I've seen used as bait look far smaller than the legal size of 9 inches for a Pouting?!

Just wondering how you can use them as legal bait?! (Not that I want to - but hate to see even Pouting abused!.) I thinks its once in a blue moon I've caught pouting over 9 inches and even then I'd release them.. so how do these people get away with using them as bait? And no - I dont mean putting out a 6/0 hook above a size 1 and hoping a pout will take the small hook and hoping a cod will come and take the pout and the 6/0!

confused

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:08 pm

Since when was it illegal to take any size of pouting? There are thousands of them in our area, nothing but a dam nuisance, certainly not a protected species as far as I know.

Member Joined: Nov 15, 2007 Posts: 18

Ah maybe I'm wrong but I've seen a mix of sizes 18cm on one site 20cm on another - theres certainly a few sites quoting the NFSA size limits- maybe its not a legal requirement but guidelines?

Still confused!

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 2:01 pm

Oh right, I think the NFSA guide rules are possibly there for competition purposes but I don't think DEFRA have any interest in them as they are not "commercial". Oddly enough my mate caught quite a large on last year and insisted on taking it home although I advised him that they were rubbish eating. He quite quickly realised that I was right after he had taken a couple of mouthfuls. LOL

Guest

I think you'll find that the size limits apply if you are wishing to take one home. For live bait, technically you're not keeping it so it's not a problem. I tried livebaiting with pouting at Orford and the little fella managed to:

a. Avoid being eaten by something larger
b. Lived to tell the tale and was put back alive and kicking after I'd finished with him.

Member Joined: Nov 15, 2007 Posts: 18

That makes sense - thought it was odd that it was so evident that 'undersize' fish were being used for bait purposes ! I'll have to try it this Christmas time when I get my new rod and I'll go fish Aldeburgh! I'll stick my old moonraker out with a pout on for an elusive 'monster cod' and my new Sandstorm ( early xmas pressie - bless the missus ) out with some nice fat traditional cod baits! Itching to get down the tackle shop and pick up the new rod now! big grin

Guest

There are no size limits on pouting and the sizes quoted are purely for competitions.
You can take as many pouting of any size home if you want to, but I don't fancy filleting a 2 inch fish.