Noodling: The criminal act that has you caught red-handed

The fine illegal sport of noodling, which will cost you a $500 fine in Texas, is when you use your arm as bait to wrangle a catfish. Forgoing the traditional hook and line, those noodling folks put their arms into a deep hole and use their hand as hook and bait as they wait for the catfish to bite. The other hand is then used to grab the jaw of the fish so the catfish will release the bait arm. It has been prohibited due to the dangers both to the catfish and the southern gentlemen catching them.

The big fish you want to fry? You're aiming for the flathead catfish; it's considered one of the most vicious game fish.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking: It must just be a southern thing.

But, Texans are especially passionate about their right to noodle. The story made national headlines when the Texas Tribune reported that State Senator Bob Deuell told lawmakers, "I personally don't noodle, but I would defend to the death your right to do so," and announced a bill that would legalize the sport. The story was picked up by USA Today, making it a national issue.

The Twitterverse then started talking. While some people spoke praises, the rest of the world wondered what noodling was. But, even more people were puzzled as to why this was even one of the top priorities for the Texan senate. The proposed bill, which seems to be pulled straight out of a ridiculous state laws book, has some people angry that their elected officials were concentrating on noodling when the Texan budget had so many more issues.

Surprisingly, Governor Rick Perry's position on noodling hasn't been documented. He, however, will have the final decision on whether or not to give Texans the right to noodle.