Ethical question but I know thew answer...

[Mike P]

Ethical? I won't sit in moral judgment of anyone in a sitution like this, but legally, as you said...

Look at it this way--it's ethical to recycle something you can't use into the food chain--crabs have to make a living, too. No fish you throw back ever goes to waste, one way or another.

[numbskull]

Caught a large bluefish last year that had an entire torn and healed gill arch protruding from under its gill cover. Obviously it had been hooked in the gill previously, had one end of the gill ripped out by the roots, and survived with no obvious ill effect. Fought very well, too. Let 'em go, some will make it, some won't. Keeping injured shorts is a slippery slope.

[spence]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Keeping injured shorts is a slippery slope.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

-spence

[BassDawg]

It IS so much more than a slippery slope........

It is ILLEGAL, planter!

In FL, if you keep a snook against any and all of the FM guidelines, then DEM is empowered by a zero tolerance policy that gives them the authority to take everything attached to the fish. i.e. your rod&reel, boat, boat trailer, vehicle, and throw YOU in jail should you resist or if the violations are egregious enuff to warrant your arrest!

i am unfamiliar with the tolerance positions of NE DEM with regard to undersized Stripers, but as MikeP said ~~crabs, togs, and eeeeeels gotsta eat too. your victim will not be wasted, should you return it to its briny depths. why risk a fine.................or, worse??

[fumifish]

Originally Posted by Mike P

No fish you throw back ever goes to waste, one way or another.