polepackinprincess
New Member
I will admit it has been some time since I've held any interest in fishing, but this past year I have learned to take time to make time for myself and found an old love again. With that being said, I'm a bit confused on the definition of Foul Hooked Fish. I understand from what I have read that not only can you be fined for keeping a foul hooked fish but also you need to release it as safe as possible. My question is, what if the fish is wounded in such a way that returning it wouldn't allow it to live? I witnessed an accidental foul the other day where someone caught the fish by its belly near the front fin and had eggs and blood coming out because during the fight it was ripped open a pretty good size. This person kept the fish because returning it would be allowing it to suffer...is this wrong? I myself haven't had to endure this as of yet, but I'm curious as to what would be considered an act of "kindness" vs. regulations.