As many know, its a common practice when noodling to use a stick or pole to check holes with. For those who dont know, you put the end of the stick in the hole and see if something bites, then if there is a bite, you go in with your hands. I had heard word that OK Game Wardens were going to start issuing citations for this practice based on the fact that you're not just using your hands.
An email to the ODWC confirmed this. Just a heads up for my fellow noodlers as the season approaches.
The rumor is that on the show "Mudcats" there were a couple of guys using sticks that resembled a cane (with a large hook at the end) only the hooked end was sharpened. I saw the stick in question and could see how it may be used to pull fish out illegally. Based on this the wardens were instructed to strictly enforce the hands only fishing. So possession of anything other than your bare hands while noodling is considered illegal.
An email to the ODWC confirmed this. Just a heads up for my fellow noodlers as the season approaches.
The rumor is that on the show "Mudcats" there were a couple of guys using sticks that resembled a cane (with a large hook at the end) only the hooked end was sharpened. I saw the stick in question and could see how it may be used to pull fish out illegally. Based on this the wardens were instructed to strictly enforce the hands only fishing. So possession of anything other than your bare hands while noodling is considered illegal.