The catch-and-release area extends from the Brewerton Channel at the Patapsco River to the Virginia line, including Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound. The Department of Natural Resources hopes the restrictions will reduce the stress on pre-spawn female fish, and will evaluate the situation before the 2011 season. Until then:
Each trolling boat may have no more than six lines out, regardless of the number of anglers on board. Anglers trolling must use barbless hooks. Trailing hooks, also called stingers, are illegal. When using natural bait (as opposed to artificial lures), anglers must use non-offset circle hooks or J hooks with a gap of less than a half-inch.
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