Rhode Island Tog Record

This popped up on my home page.. someone mentioned that a snafu rig is not IGFA legal?

Teenager Reels in New Rhode Island Tautog Record - On The Water

A 17-year-old holds a new Rhode Island fishing state record after reeling in a gigantic tautog on Sunday.

www.onthewater.com

Trying to figure out why a SNAFU isn't IGFA legal...

F. Hooks and Bait Fishing
1. For live or dead bait fishing, no more than two single hooks may be used. Both must be firmly imbedded in or securely attached to the bait. The eyes of the hooks must be no less than a hook's length (the length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 45.72 centimeters (18 inches) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook. A hook may not precede bait, lure or bait/lure combo by more than one hook’s length.
2. The use of a dangling or swinging hook is prohibited. Double or treble hooks are prohibited.
3. A two hook rig for bottom fishing is acceptable if it consists of two single hooks on separate leaders or drops. Both hooks must be imbedded in the respective baits and separated sufficiently so that a fish caught on one hook cannot be foul hooked by the other.
4. A photograph or sketch of the hook arrangement must accompany all record applications made for fish caught on two-hook tackle.

- International Game Fish Association

F. Hooks and Bait Fishing
1. For live or dead bait fishing, no more than two single hooks may be used. Both must be firmly imbedded in or securely attached to the bait. The eyes of the hooks must be no less than a hook's length (the length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 45.72 centimeters (18 inches) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook. A hook may not precede bait, lure or bait/lure combo by more than one hook’s length.
2. The use of a dangling or swinging hook is prohibited. Double or treble hooks are prohibited.
3. A two hook rig for bottom fishing is acceptable if it consists of two single hooks on separate leaders or drops. Both hooks must be imbedded in the respective baits and separated sufficiently so that a fish caught on one hook cannot be foul hooked by the other.
4. A photograph or sketch of the hook arrangement must accompany all record applications made for fish caught on two-hook tackle.

- International Game Fish Association

Interesting, it's OK for trolling or rigging eels, but not OK for "bottom fishing". If one just took two separate, snelled tog hooks and hooked them into a crab, attached to two points of the main line, it would be legit. Time to update the regs...

Another 20 lb tog was caught on the Wound Up out of Rhode Island.

beautiful fish, great release

beautiful fish, great release

It died and was recovered