Snagged fish ethics (part 2)

[Stump]

I came across the original post and couldnt help but wonder what everyone elses view point was on a snagged fish. Where do you draw the line between a hooked fish and a snagged fish? Is a fish only ethicly hooked if its in the mouth? Some on the original post said if its not hooked in the mouth, its snagged and goes back...always.I cant even count the number of fish that I have caught on cranks that are hooked on the cheek side of the face(near the mouth,but definately not in)or under the mouth.The fish undoubtedly striking at the lure.Others caught by the stinger hook either under,alongside or even back on the cheek(jig hook not even in play)Would that not be snagging then???All of thes cases would then be foul hooked fish...and Im sorry but I cant believe that all that say "if its not in the mouth it goes back, no acceptions" have not kept fish hooked in this manner.Its obvious that a fish hooked in the tail,back,belly or fin is foul hooked,but where do the rules even draw the line? Mouth or lips is a good hook? Cheeks forward good? Where?Who draws the line in a tourney?Or is it basically a judgement call?

Is there really an answer,inquiring minds want to know!
Stump

[Eyecrosser]

Of course they have all kept fish that have been hooked in the cheek! It's just a part of fishing. I certainly don't condone people who acually try to snag fish, that doesn't seem like much of a sport to me. Every once in a while a walleye comes up to the boat with a hook in it's cheek. I consider that a "caught" fish just as much as any other fish I catch. I have yet to see anything in the rules of any tournament that state you can not keep a fish that is caught that way.

[Stump]

I do not condone intentional snagging by any means,but again,where does one draw the line between a snag and a legal hook?Lets say in a tourney situation,is a cheek/face hooked fish legal?Is the rule of thumb gills forward is good or would that be a judge call??? Im not trying to argue this subject,Im just curious where the line is drawn.
Thanks again
Stump

[Eyecrosser]

This is just my opinion, but the difference between a snagged fish and a hooked fish is the persons intention. If you are pulling a crankbait legitimitly(sorry about spelling) and just happen to get a hook caught in the face, it should be counted as a legitimate catch. If you are tying a bell sinker to a treble hook and racking it across the bottom, that is snagging.

[BlackSilver]

I'm pretty sure the Minnesota rules say something like "not hooked in the mouth shall be released" or words to that effect.

Seems really plain to me -- either it's legal or it's not. If it's not legal, then can it be ethical?

All the rest of this "forward of the gills" sounds to me like an argument about relative viginity among prostitutes.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[Stump]

Blacksilver,
Heres the scenerio...You are in a tourney...out trolling cranks and you get a fish on...the thing is a hawg...you finally manage to get it in and its the biggest Walleye youve ever seen .#####,you notice the front hook is in the cheek just a little behind the mouth and the other a little farther back(the fish obviously striking the lure).Knowing this fish will put you in the cash(big fish) and quite possibly win the tourney for you,you pull out a scale and its 25lb 4 oz.but not being hooked directly in the mouth "YOU" simply release it.Sorry but I find that about as believable as the 45 lb+ Walleye caught in salt water.Basicaly just another fish story.
Stump

[JMC]

"SNAGGING with a hook to pierce and hook a fish in a
part of the body other than the inside of the mouth is
illegal for all fish except forage fish. In Lake Erie, it is
also illegal to snag freshwa-ter drum"

From ODNR fishing regulations. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/fishing/fishregs/gnrinfo.htm

Seems pretty simple to me. Sorry you can't believe it but there ARE people that have not kept snagged fish, no exceptions ! Heck I've even thrown back legally caught fish, you don't have to keep everything you catch why split hairs ?

Joe

[BlackSilver]

Hey Stump, lighten up.

Since I don't fish competitively or for prizes I honestly can't identify with your problem.

I keep a few fish to eat, the rest go back in the lake regardless of size, and especially if they're over 20". In the situations you describe, I must say that I'd return the fish to the water regardless of size.

Your mileage may vary, and I'm in no position to say you're not just as right as I am. We just have different opinions.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[eyeeeeeeeeeee]

is the corner of the lip considered the inside of the mouth????????????????????

[Stump]

Hey guys
Im not arguing the point or trying to split hairs..but I think there are some exceptions to the rule...I commend you for this if you would throw back in that case...hats off to you you are a stronger willed man then I.
Stump
By the way...I dont fish tourneys either
Tight lines guys!

[fishy1]

Stump go to iowa walleye forum and ask bernie for a complete set of rules I do beleive if I remember correctly that if a fish is foul hooked it must be released,also that a lie detector test may be given at some request. Dont quote me on this but I beleive that bernie could give you the answers youre looking for.As for myself I beleive it's not a fair catch unless it's hooked in the mouth directly.

[Marty]

I'll repeat what I said in the earlier thread. Here in NY, foul-hooked walleye (except in one lake) and other fish may be kept, foul-hooked trout and salmon must be released. I don't know other states' rules or tournament rules.

The definition of foul-hooked here means "not hooked in the mouth." Applying that to trout and salmon here, if it's not hooked in the mouth, it goes back. Intention has nothing to do with it, it's the end result that counts.

So even if the fish is hooked near the mouth and it's obvious that it was trying to strike the lure, it goes back. Period.

[Ouch]

What if its on a jig and the stinger is hooked in the mouth and the jig is snaged in the top of the Head? Would it not be legal and illegal at the same time? Would you have to flip a coin?

Seriously now. In the Maume river it better be hooked inside the mouth or you risk a tap on the shoulder and about a $85 dollar fine for an illegal fish. That is fact. My buddy kept one that was hooked on the outer edge of the lower lip and got a ticket for it. I do not even know how they could tell from across the river in the woods even if they had good optics. I thought they were splitting hairs but my buddy had to buck up the $80 bucks if he wanted his drivers license back that day. I am sure it did not help he was from Michigan. We all know how Ohio law enforcement likes to target Michiganders.

[Duane_MI]

I happen to be watching a Bass tournement on T.V. a couple of weeks ago and they stated that you are allowed to keep a snagged fish as long as you are not sight fishing. This rule only applies to the tournement, but I thought that left a lot of room for arguement and judgement. I know in Michigan, it must be hooked in the mouth.