Legalities fo Fishing rods, handlines etc
- Thread starter WoodGnome
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Their statement seems a bit off - because they don't mention anything about it applying to waters under their jurisdiction.
I rent a boat mooring. The mooring comes with riparian rights; EA enforcement can't tell me whether I can fish there or not.
I believe kids under 12 don't need a license, so they wouldn't be blocked from using a hand reel.
I rent a boat mooring. The mooring comes with riparian rights; EA enforcement can't tell me whether I can fish there or not.
I believe kids under 12 don't need a license, so they wouldn't be blocked from using a hand reel.
mrcharly your reasoning is flawed, virtually all waters in the uk are covered by local bylaws which you would have to comply with.
Also under 12's are not required to have a rod licince, but would need to fish with a rod as has already been stated hand lines are illegal in uk freshwater.
I find it disgraceful that I am required to buy a rod licence to fish on two natural land locked ponds in private ground but the EA managed to get that one passed by government.
Also under 12's are not required to have a rod licince, but would need to fish with a rod as has already been stated hand lines are illegal in uk freshwater.
I find it disgraceful that I am required to buy a rod licence to fish on two natural land locked ponds in private ground but the EA managed to get that one passed by government.
The Environmental Agency cannot make a legal pronouncement, it remains the opinion of their staff. For example, they used to say that canoeing on rivers without access agreements was illegal. I do not think that they do now because there is no law on the matter just as there is not with defining rod and line.
As someone pointed out we do not do what we are permitted to do under English law we are prevented from doing that which is forbidden by law. A huge difference and part of our essential freedom.
As someone pointed out we do not do what we are permitted to do under English law we are prevented from doing that which is forbidden by law. A huge difference and part of our essential freedom.
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I got a pen rod for my wife last summer and we got a 4kg rainbow trout with it. The only little let-down is the reel. The brake lets go at about 3.5 N. But you could fix that by attaching a different reel.
As far as the hobo rod is concerned I'm still shocked as compared to Germany I always have considered the UK the promised land when it comes to sensitive regulations in fishery... But even here these hobo rods and even handlines are perfectly legal... That you basically have to undergo the same education as someone who wants to breed edible fish professionally if you want to angle in Germany is a different story...
As far as the hobo rod is concerned I'm still shocked as compared to Germany I always have considered the UK the promised land when it comes to sensitive regulations in fishery... But even here these hobo rods and even handlines are perfectly legal... That you basically have to undergo the same education as someone who wants to breed edible fish professionally if you want to angle in Germany is a different story...
I know about the byelaws - but the moorings I'm thinking of have had riparian rights belonging to the land owner for several hundred years. Those ARE the local bylaws.
There's more information to come, but it's the weekend and the gentleman who responded to my request replied with the caveat that he will check more next week (byelaws were mentioned) and contact me again.
M
M
Well all this talk of fishing inspired me to renew my rod license and dust off my coarse fishing gear.
Going to head out for a days fishing tomorrow. With a 13ft rod I might add
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Going to head out for a days fishing tomorrow. With a 13ft rod I might add
.You need a fishing licence to fish anywhere in freshwater in England & Wales if you are over twelve years old, ''including fishing on your own land'', however if you take a person under 12 years old fishing and hold or help to hold the rod then you need a licence for yourself.
A person that owns land & fishing rights (riparian owner) is subject to the same conditions on a fishing licence and the salmon & freshwater fisheries act. A riparian owner has a legal right of access to a river but not a legal right to fish without a licence. A riparian owner who owns or rents land on one side of the river/lake only has the fishing rights up to the middle of the river/lake.
The conditions of the licence apply even when fishing on your own land.
An environment agency bailiff has the power to enter any land adjoining or near to any waters within a water authority area (but does not have the power to enter a house) for the purpose of preventing any offence against the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act. (in other words the bailiff can enter your own private land without your permission in relation to fishing).
An environment agency bailiff has the power to require any person to produce their licence and give their name and address, including people fishing on their own land.
Any person that fails to produce a fishing licence or state their name and address when required to do so by an environment agency bailiff is guilty of an offence, however if the person can produce the licence within seven days they will not be prosecuted. (And that too includes people fishing on their own private land).
An environment agency bailiff has the power to give a fixed penalty notice for offences as an alternative to a prosecution in court, you have 28 days to pay the fixed penalty, if you do not pay within the 28 days the matter will go to court for prosecution.
Fishing has such a long history that you would do well to find a loophole in its law. Over its long history people have tried just about every method of poaching so the authorities are well versed at people trying to find loopholes to bend the law.
A person that owns land & fishing rights (riparian owner) is subject to the same conditions on a fishing licence and the salmon & freshwater fisheries act. A riparian owner has a legal right of access to a river but not a legal right to fish without a licence. A riparian owner who owns or rents land on one side of the river/lake only has the fishing rights up to the middle of the river/lake.
The conditions of the licence apply even when fishing on your own land.
An environment agency bailiff has the power to enter any land adjoining or near to any waters within a water authority area (but does not have the power to enter a house) for the purpose of preventing any offence against the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act. (in other words the bailiff can enter your own private land without your permission in relation to fishing).
An environment agency bailiff has the power to require any person to produce their licence and give their name and address, including people fishing on their own land.
Any person that fails to produce a fishing licence or state their name and address when required to do so by an environment agency bailiff is guilty of an offence, however if the person can produce the licence within seven days they will not be prosecuted. (And that too includes people fishing on their own private land).
An environment agency bailiff has the power to give a fixed penalty notice for offences as an alternative to a prosecution in court, you have 28 days to pay the fixed penalty, if you do not pay within the 28 days the matter will go to court for prosecution.
Fishing has such a long history that you would do well to find a loophole in its law. Over its long history people have tried just about every method of poaching so the authorities are well versed at people trying to find loopholes to bend the law.
The law forbids fishing without a rod licence. A rod licence allows you to fish with a rod or pole. No exceptions.
The thought of using a handline on a chalkstream down south is unthinkable. Can you imagine trying to fishing the test, with a handline? They might even shoot you.
I think that is the nub of the legislation, and why there are two licences. There is the money side that people seek to control and the side that is less lucrative. If you use a grey area hand reel be sure you don't do it when you'll annoy the money. If your prepared to sit down a canal for 4 hours with just a hand reel I should think that the common angler may have a certain ammount of respect for your resolve. Out of interest I wonder how many licence inspectors you see when fishing for salmon as opposed to other fish.
Also saw this free fishing days.
http://www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk/
Looked through the national fishing rules and the wrong sort of keepnet is forbidden as are floats and other line attachments in different places and for different prey along with gaffs etc. Nowhere does it forbid hand lines. By inference the use of the word rod implies only a stick with a line is legal but doesn't define it and, to repeat, hand lines are not forbidden.
A bit of special pleading, angling is so-called because of the angle the line makes in the water or with the rod but a hand held line makes an angle as well with the water.
A bit of special pleading, angling is so-called because of the angle the line makes in the water or with the rod but a hand held line makes an angle as well with the water.
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Having been an angler since I was 10yrs old, and a fishery owner for over ten years I have never seen such effort put into trying to circumvent UK law!!! There are loads of travel rods and telescopic poles to suit every pocket and do a great job!!! Lets not forget the basics of fishing - the rod or pole is an integral part of the system, it acts as a shock absorber which allows a fish to be played without damage and undue force. It also allows for the use of lighter strength lines to be used!!!
The use of a hand line in a "survival" situation would be an option, but bear in mind that thicker line is needed and the only way to play a larger fish would be to allow it to take line - so you will need a fair amount on your spool.. Even with that in mind the chances of losing a fish are high!!
The EA do a great job and have more than enough on their plates with the increase of migrants stealing our fish by any means possible, without chasing people who have no idea about fishing using hand lines
So please go out there with some knowledge and the correct equipment and enjoy it!!! Oh and DON'T forget to buy your licence - as previously mentioned, to fish any UK water you require a licence and observe the close season rules!!! Rivers start again on 16th June Believe it or not that also applies even if you own the water and the fish!!!!!!!!!!
The use of a hand line in a "survival" situation would be an option, but bear in mind that thicker line is needed and the only way to play a larger fish would be to allow it to take line - so you will need a fair amount on your spool.. Even with that in mind the chances of losing a fish are high!!
The EA do a great job and have more than enough on their plates with the increase of migrants stealing our fish by any means possible, without chasing people who have no idea about fishing using hand lines
So please go out there with some knowledge and the correct equipment and enjoy it!!! Oh and DON'T forget to buy your licence - as previously mentioned, to fish any UK water you require a licence and observe the close season rules!!! Rivers start again on 16th June
Believe it or not that also applies even if you own the water and the fish!!!!!!!!!!Having been an angler since I was 10yrs old, and a fishery owner for over ten years I have never seen such effort put into trying to circumvent UK law!!! There are loads of travel rods and telescopic poles to suit every pocket and do a great job!!! Lets not forget the basics of fishing - the rod or pole is an integral part of the system, it acts as a shock absorber which allows a fish to be played without damage and undue force. It also allows for the use of lighter strength lines to be used!!!
The use of a hand line in a "survival" situation would be an option, but bear in mind that thicker line is needed and the only way to play a larger fish would be to allow it to take line - so you will need a fair amount on your spool.. Even with that in mind the chances of losing a fish are high!!
The EA do a great job and have more than enough on their plates with the increase of migrants stealing our fish by any means possible, without chasing people who have no idea about fishing using hand lines
So please go out there with some knowledge and the correct equipment and enjoy it!!! Oh and DON'T forget to buy your licence - as previously mentioned, to fish any UK water you require a licence and observe the close season rules!!! Rivers start again on 16th June
Spot on post Sir ....Bravo !
To those who are still quibbling. Please read the response from the EA. It is quite clear.
The law is simple; if it is not specifically mentioned as being suitable for fishing, i.e. not licensed, then it is illegal.
Not the other way round.
Toddy
The law is simple; if it is not specifically mentioned as being suitable for fishing, i.e. not licensed, then it is illegal.
Not the other way round.
Toddy
How about a stick for a pole, how do you feel about that?
I think in a survival situation you would have a number of lines left overnight and you wouldn't bother trying to land the fish alive. You could leave it to tire itself out, but I've not seen anglers watch there rods twitch for 10 seconds without attending to them. If you are aware of a bite I think you have to see to it as again the rules seem to stipulate all rods must be attended at all times.
Any prosecutions of or reports of confiscations from people with fishing licences fishing with handlines? Wonder why not if illegal.
The case detailing it was illegal could be interpreted that the instrument was illegal because of the other pillars of the prosecution, unlicensed and without permission. No case of "legal" fishing being illegal because of a handline as far as I can see.
The case detailing it was illegal could be interpreted that the instrument was illegal because of the other pillars of the prosecution, unlicensed and without permission. No case of "legal" fishing being illegal because of a handline as far as I can see.
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