A question for fellow Yak Fisherman.
 

What do you do when you catch a fish that is obviously below the legal size limit, but the fish eats the hook down to it's stomach or does so much damage to itself in the catching process that the chances of survival are minimal when released?

Just curious what your thoughts are on this.

Aside from feeling bad, there is nothing else you can do but release the fish.

I try to minimize these type of situations by primarily using circle hooks, which are designed to hook fish along the side of the jawbone. Not perfect, but helps with the odds. Moreover, I also use hooks on my jigs and lures with the barb pinched down.

If the fish is gut-hooked and you've unknowingly fought it for several minutes before netting or gripping it, it's most likely suffered heavy lacerations to it's internal organs. However, some fish are hardy, and may survive. If you are a man of faith, it's all in God's hands. If you are not, then it is in Mother Nature's hands and the fish becomes recycled into the environment as a meal to other life in the sea.

Ultimately, you still can't keep it, as it would be an infraction of the regulations. The DFW warden will still slap you with a hefty fine, so it's just not worth it.

Release anyway or cut the line as close to the hook as possible & release. It's possible that the damage might not be as bad or terminal as you think and hopefully the damage will repair itself and the hook should rust out in a couple weeks. It's not worth getting you're gear confiscated and the fine, if caught by a DFW Warden.
Just my observations & $.02.
FFY

Portable BBQ. Grill the evidence on the water.

Hmm. A boogie board with a hibachi on it that you could tow out with you.... DEAL!!

Some guys suggest fishing in gear, this prevents deep hook sets. This may or may not work for all applications but works quite often. If you worry about short biters while fishing with your reel in gear, run a stinger hook.

Just like was said cut close to the hook and release, at least some of these fish who get gut hooked actually do survive. I've caught many fish that were gut hooked and they seemed fine. The hooks eventually rust out after time.

Cut the hook off the line and damage the fish as little as possible. The hooks are broken down by salt water pretty fast. Caught a lot of fish with hooks in them? I have caught many fish with hook damage, but few with actual hooks.

Be sure to fish you arent using stainless hooks.. those do not disolve quickly at all.. I stick with old fashion mustad bronze hooks for that reason..

I cut the line as close to the hook as possible and release it. It may die, but I don't get fined. Sad as it may be that's the only thing you can do.

LMAO!!!...ROTFLOL!!!
Not a bad idea, eat the evidence...ingenious :notworthy:
FFY

There is a post from years ago when Brad(Madscientist) actually grilled of the back of his extreme at La Jolla!!!!

I don't keep my fishing license with me when I'm on the water. It stays in my wallet in the car. WTH?

Yup, the guy next to me said got hit up a couple if times in the water.

Guys, please do all of us a favor and get your shit together.

Keep your license on you while you are fishing, I know that piece of paper takes up so much room.:rolleyes:




Why would you want to draw negative attention to our sport?




You want DFG guys to thi it hat we are by the law Ora bunch of slackers?

I have my license, but I prefer to not keep my wallet on my kayak in case I take an unexpected swim. The new license that are electronically data based were supposed to negate the necessity for keeping it on you at all times.

The old license you had to display.

You no longer have to display it.

You can put the license in a plastic sandwich bag ($.03) and keep it permenantly on your life jacket or in yak.

It's not wat you have to do, but wouldn't it make your life easier if you did?

Im sure that you have to keep your fishing licence on you at all times while fishing. You don't need to display it but you have to present it if you are asked by an officer. Does not matter if your licence is in the database or not, don't have it while fishing, that's a ticket.