Tony, a couple of points to answer your questions and concerns: We have looked at delayed mortality of juglining (OSU did a study and we have looked at other available literature) and there is no evidence of significant delayed hooking mortality from jugs (even on blues larger than 30 inches). The OSU study included a seasonal treatment where water temperature was recorded and even high summer water temps did not induce significant mortality for blues hooked on jugs for up to 24 hours. So we did actually fund some research to directly address this concern and found no real issue, contrary to the presumptions of many anglers and some biologists prior to the study.
Secondly, I authored a paper in the SEAFWA Proceedings in 2008 that dealt with catfish anglers in Oklahoma and their harvest trends (by many variables including angling gear). We found that very few angler regardless of gear type EVER catch or keep a daily bag limit (just 2.5% of rod and reel anglers and only 1.2% of jug anglers reached the daily creel limit). This was based on a survey of over 4000 catfish anglers across the entire state. Also, the percentage of anglers harvesting BCF over 30" was about equal between jugs and rod & reel (6.5% vs 5.8%). Both low percentages of the total catfish angling population. So we did not see any disproportionate harvest by jugs, either numbers of fish or large individuals.
Here is a link to that journal publication:
http://seafwa.org//resource/dynamic/private/PDF/Kuklinski-149-153.pdf
I understand your concern and frustration, but don't fall into the trap of presuming juglines are doing more damage to a catfish population than any other gear type. Some of us had that feeling prior to our study and found out otherwise based on some really good data. And I do not necessarily disagree with your concerns about the specific area where you have issues with jugs being deployed, but there probably is not a lot of BIOLOGICAL support for regulation change. The basis for reg change may have to be based in safety, social acceptability, and/or difficulties in enforcement.