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If it is going to be a "bait" only reg? IE:"circle hooks must be used when using bait" like clams or squid, then It's kind of pointless and hard to enforce.
I don't think gut hooking cod while bait fishing is the main cause of release mortality. It's jig treble hooks in the side. I don't see how they could, or would ever implement a total ban on treble hooks or jigs.
What would make more sense *to lower release mortality* is lowering the size limit to something like what was done with commercial haddock, to reduce release mortality, to 16 inches.
lower minimum size= more fish go in the box= less dead discards trying to catch a keeper.
It's not uncommon for the catch to be 10:1 shorts to keepers.
If the size limit was lowered it would reduce throwback of shorts.
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