Deep hooked fish can be released.

[willcfish]

I have found if the line is cut close the fish will dissolve the hook most of the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6XlGPMEwao

[Rhettley]

Release to the grease.

[rockyg]

The fish mortality rate on ice in the cooler is 102% with a 2% margin of error.

Cutting the line and releasing the fish would have to produce a better survivability rate than that.

[RCS]

And if the fish released with a hook in his gills/gut doesn't survive, that fish is 100% wasted.

[rockyg]

And if the fish released with a hook in his gills/gut doesn't survive, that fish is 100% wasted.

The crabs, pinfish, sharks, seagulls, pelicans, and other scavengers/bottom feeders in the natural ecosystem would not let that fish go to waste.

[WolfeMan]

And if the fish released with a hook in his gills/gut doesn't survive, that fish is 100% wasted.

The crabs, pinfish, sharks, seagulls, pelicans, and other scavengers/bottom feeders in the natural ecosystem would not let that fish go to waste.

Yep, when BMan and I got stopped by FWC Monday Barry made the comment to Johnny-Law that we had a short that was mortally wounded and we felt bad watching it float away - the FWC guy said "Something'll eat it. It won't be wasted."

My personal take-away, don't keep mortally wounded shorts - this FWC guy at least would probably write you up.

[RCS]

I wasn't trying to advocate breaking the law. I've watched plenty of fish float away belly up because they were either too small or out of season. It sucks, but I'm not willing to risk running into an FWC officer that's having a bad day and getting an expensive fine. If a fish is within the slot limit (and it's legal to do so), however, and has swallowed the hook, I think it's up to the angler to see to it that the fish gets eaten...and not by crabs.

[WolfeMan]

My goodness! It's been imlied to me in private by a pot-stirring spectator that I somehow threw BMan under some bus by implying that some illegal act took place. This nefarious trouble maker is the reason for this post.

Allow me to unnecessarily clarify the events if Monday for our reading comprehension-challenged friends.

1. I am the one who caught the short trout. (and about 15 others)
2. I released it, bloody and wounded.
3. It floated away and died a slow death.
4. No laws were bent or broken

[big bend gyrene]

Not sure who the reading comprehension-challenged friend is, but since some might argue you're a tad writing-challenged let me get this straight...

Y'all had fifteen other folks on your boat catching short trout???!!! If so, pretty sure you all WERE breaking the boat occupancy limit law unless you were fishing from the one below.

[WolfeMan]

*facepalm*

[JeffB]

Not sure who the reading comprehension-challenged friend is, but since some might argue you're a tad writing-challenged let me get this straight...

Y'all had fifteen other folks on your boat catching short trout???!!! If so, pretty sure you all WERE breaking the boat occupancy limit law unless you were fishing from the one below.

Hehe.

[Dubble Trubble]

I guess since pots are being stirred.............

This is for you fish murderers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwx6D1LAXoE

No fish were killed (murdered ) as SOME people here do , in the making of this video......




Dubble

[bman]

I would weigh in on this discussion but I have never caught a short trout

[Dubble Trubble]

I would weigh in on this discussion but I have never caught a short trout

Dubble

[WolfeMan]

Define "catch"

I would weigh in on this discussion but I have never caught a short trout