Cajun T w/ a circle hook for live pins...
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Maybe not disagree, but with a caveot. Of all the fish you are likely to catch on the flats, the ONLY one you can catch with trebles and bait is Spanish. Everything else is prohibited.
One could make the argument that if you are only targeting Spanish then its OK, but you are much more likely to hook one of the other species first.
Since Fishbites is technically a sythetic bait, then I would say that yes its legal to put them on topwaters with trebles for the purpose of catching trout.
As most of you know, the interpretation is made by the FWC officer and is subject to differences based on circumstances. INTENT is the key.
One could make the argument that if you are only targeting Spanish then its OK, but you are much more likely to hook one of the other species first.
Since Fishbites is technically a sythetic bait, then I would say that yes its legal to put them on topwaters with trebles for the purpose of catching trout.
As most of you know, the interpretation is made by the FWC officer and is subject to differences based on circumstances. INTENT is the key.
Tom Keels
Site Founder

Site Founder

We are in total agreement Mr. Keels
I just thought that earlier posts were saying all live-baiting with trebels was illegal in FL
If you are drifting the flats its gonna be hard to tell any FFWCC officer that you are targeting spanish
But this morning with my toes in the sand I saw them (spanish) busting baits, their tails were comming out of the water, I think I could have tied a trebel on my line and been okay
IMHO- Spanish are more fun to reel-in than trout, they are also (again IMHO) in possession of hard mouths in that I have had trouble (especially when fishing from shore) getting a hook set
They are also a pain when it comes to leaders in that they cut leaders and at the same time they can get leader-shy
Take it for what its worth

I just thought that earlier posts were saying all live-baiting with trebels was illegal in FL
If you are drifting the flats its gonna be hard to tell any FFWCC officer that you are targeting spanish
But this morning with my toes in the sand I saw them (spanish) busting baits, their tails were comming out of the water, I think I could have tied a trebel on my line and been okay
IMHO- Spanish are more fun to reel-in than trout, they are also (again IMHO) in possession of hard mouths in that I have had trouble (especially when fishing from shore) getting a hook set
They are also a pain when it comes to leaders in that they cut leaders and at the same time they can get leader-shy
Take it for what its worth

Spanish from shore
Atticus, where was ye seeing Spanish with your toes in the sand? I tried to surf fish on St Geo Fri with no success.
Even a Blind Hog finds an acorn now 'n then...
Actually it is legal to put a treble hook in a live/dead natural bait when fishing for Spanish.
Try thr following for the summarised regs.
http://marinefisheries.org/Regs_Web_English.pdf
When you scroll down to Spanish, you will notice there is NO dark red "T" by Spanish. When you scroll to the bottom of the page you find that the dark red "T" means you can not use a multiple hook when fishing for spanish. A multiple hook is defined elsewhere as a double or treble hook. It does not mean more than one hook on a leader as used in some rigs where ther are 2 or 3 dropper loops with a hook on each dropper. Even the fact that the FWC used a "T" to indicate multiple hook or treble hook forbidden shows this.
Try thr following for the summarised regs.
http://marinefisheries.org/Regs_Web_English.pdf
When you scroll down to Spanish, you will notice there is NO dark red "T" by Spanish. When you scroll to the bottom of the page you find that the dark red "T" means you can not use a multiple hook when fishing for spanish. A multiple hook is defined elsewhere as a double or treble hook. It does not mean more than one hook on a leader as used in some rigs where ther are 2 or 3 dropper loops with a hook on each dropper. Even the fact that the FWC used a "T" to indicate multiple hook or treble hook forbidden shows this.