Got my line caught on a seagull by accident: A few days ago I was fishing and when I cast, I accidentally got my line wrapped around a seagull that either happened to fly by as I cast...

FS Digest

A few days ago I was fishing and when I cast, I accidentally got my line wrapped around a seagull that either happened to fly by as I cast or went after my lure. I don't think it hooked it, just wrapped around it. Being new and never experiencing this before, I panicked and cut my line since I wouldn't have been able to reel it in. Did I do the right thing? I feel bad and hope it got free eventually, I didn't know what else to do

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by Tokestra420

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

No, you screwed up with that decision. Never cut your line that's bird wrapped. Reel it in and free the line, seagull is small and easy to free up. Now a brown pelican can be very difficult to bring in. That happens all the time on the piers I fish that are 8-10' off the water. Sometimes we throw a castnet over them and lift them

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, reel that rascal in. You might want to throw a towel over it to help control it and keep it a lttle more calm until you can get your line free. They will swack and flop arond, but you are bigger than they, so don't be buffalo you! To let them fly off with a line attached probably means a death sentence. Pelicans are bigger and stronger, but can be handled too. Both are probably after your lure, thinking it is a shirmp or small bait fish. I've been fishind and returning and have pelicans land on the transom and acting like, "Hey, Buddy, give me your left over shrimp! Just Sayin...RJS

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

FS Digest wrote:

A few days ago I was fishing and when I cast, I accidentally got my line wrapped around a seagull that either happened to fly by as I cast or went after my lure. I don't think it hooked it, just wrapped around it. Being new and never experiencing this before, I panicked and cut my line since I wouldn't have been able to reel it in. Did I do the right thing? I feel bad and hope it got free eventually, I didn't know what else to do

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by Tokestra420

Fly that bird like a kite!!! Have some fun and when it’s tired, reel it in, throw a towel over it’s head and get your lure back. I’ve had to do this a few times.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I have caught dozens of gulls and four pelicans dead sticking but in the surf. They just fly into the line and get twisted up in it. You can cover their head with a towel to calm them, and to protect you from their beak. They can slice you up pretty good. Just treat them gently and they'll settle and let you untangle the line.

smitty Loc: maine

did i miss something
when did we start caring bout them flyin rats

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

As much as I dislike them, they are living things.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

I had one dive in my topwater n git wrapped. Reeled it close to boat grabbed line on lure side. Cut the line i had my spook gull had his life. 👍👍

tominsdtn Loc: Soddy Daisy TN

Remember the time we came across a goose with mono wrapped around it. Took us awhile to get it all off but he sure seemed happy when he flew away.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

It's a huge issue here, dang TV stations are running stories about all the birds that are wrapped in mono & braid, most with hooks and lures still attached. We have a "bird patrol" on the piers now. South pier is most always swarming with bait, so they're not going away, very difficult to fish there now. What's worse is y'all Yankees come here on vacation, buy multiple dozens of shrimp, hit the piers, don't catch Jack then feed what's left to the birds. Signs all over this area "Don't Feed The Birds" it's illegal and once that happens the place is overrun with Seagulls and brown Pelicans. On time we watched a lady out at the end of the pier feeding Pelicans fishbites and there were dozens of them crowded around waiting their turn

fishinphil

some people will have an issue with folks who dont care or respect our animal friends....regardless of what they are....but they still give YOU the benefit of a doubt now....dont they?

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

fishinphil wrote:

some people will have an issue with folks who dont care or respect our animal friends....regardless of what they are....but they still give YOU the benefit of a doubt now....dont they?

No, they make me the recipient of crazed tourists

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

F T good reply.