This is Kerry Paulson from the Automatic Ice Fisherman I understand there are some questions about the legality of the new product called the Automatic Ice Fisherman. I went to the Minnesota dept of natural resorces and asked the same question, they showed me a thirty year old rule that read something like this, spring devices that impale, hook or capture fish are prohibited methods of taking fish. My question to them was what about a down rigger they are used in the state of Minnesota and they said that a down rigger does not ack as a spring device that hooks the fish, instead it works more like the flag on a tip up. I charter fish for salmon and I know the fishing rod on a down rigger aids in setting the hook in a fish. so they should be illeagel to. No one knows why the rule was set in place. I also got a Minnesota fishing regulations booklet and it did not say anything about hook setting devices being illeagal or to check the states DNR rule book for further laws, unless I missed it. Hope fully someone can tell me the difference between a down rigger and my automatic fisherman!!!! They both have a mechanical device that aids in hooking fish the rod. And if you think about it when you are fishing the rod in your hand could also be a spring device, so if anyone has a few sents I would like to hear from you and if you want to use the Automatic ice fisherman please help in getting this problem rectified with your states DNR offices by letting your voice be heard thanks Kerry Automatic Ice Fisherman, LLC
