What Is Your Opinion On This Scenario?

[carpflyguy]

First, foul hooked fish don't count. That's obvious. I don't take pictures with accidentally snagged fish, and just unhook them in the water. If it didn't eat it, it doesn't count!

 

But I had a strange situation yesterday on the Alabama Rig...

 

Was fishing an A-Rig yesterday with 2 hooks and 3 teasers, since I can only legally use 2 hooks in a deep reservoir. So I hooked a big fish and I fish it it up right next to the boat... looks to be a 6 or 7 pound largemouth. It has the middle (and biggest) bait in it's mouth, but during the fight the second hook has gotten stuck into its side. Then it makes one last attempt to get away just as I am netting it, and the hook in the mouth pulls. But sine there is one hook still stuck in it, I am able to net it.

 

This would have been my new PB, but I don't feel right calling it my PB, since without the second hook snagging into it it would have gotten away.

 

What do you guys make of this situation? Legal fish or not?

 

 

[Raul]

You said it, snagged fish don´t count.

[LuckyGia]

You caught that fish ! Own it !

[Dwight Hottle]

Yes that is a legal fish in my book. Often times fish have a hook pull from the mouth but another hook catches on the outside of the mouth or body. Congrats on your new PB.

[K_Mac]

Yes that is a legal fish in my book. Often times fish have a hook pull from the mouth but another hook catches on the outside of the mouth or body. Congrats on your new PB.

I agree. Congratulations.

[stepchild]

This could theoretically extend to baits that have multiple hooks, like crankbaits and jerkbaits. If a fish hits your lure and only has one of the trebles in his mouth, but as the fight goes on, the hook that was in its mouth is dislodged only to have another treble stick it on its side/belly/gill plate. As long as you land that fish, it doesn't really matter which hook was where, now does it?!?

 

I'd say the fish obviously tried to hit the lure you had out and, whatever happens during the fight happens. If you can get it in the net, good for you!

 

I'd say congrats on a new PB!

 

EDIT: Didn't see Dwight's post

[NathanW]

Snagged fish most definitely count but A-Rig fish don't. Sorry bro. 

[Catt]

You said it, snagged fish don´t count.

You set the rules & now ya want us to change it!

By the way I didn't agree with rule

[Turtle135]

counts, congrats!

[WRB]

It depends on your states regulations, if hooking a fish outside it's mouth is illegal, then it's not a legal catch, otherwise it is. One reason A-rigs are controversial; they inadvertently snag fish.

Tom

[gardnerjigman]

I'd count it. You don't just drag an A rig into a big bass. They swipe at it and miss or come unbuttoned while getting stuck with another hook. I look at this the same as jerkbait fish. I have fish that will throw the hook in the mouth, but can't throw throw the one in their side. 

 

Good catch.

[BassinLou]

That fish counts. Congrats!!

[Bankbeater]

It counts!

[Senko lover]

If you hooked it in the mouth to begin with, not in the side, than yes it counts. Now if you had hooked it in the side and then it snagged in the mouth, that wouldn't have counted, although it would have been pretty cool

[offsidewing]

If local laws permit, congrats on your catch.

FYI, Everytime I see guys trying to foul hook a fish sitting on nests, I want to push them in the water.

[the reel ess]

Don't be silly. That fish would count in a tourney. It's not like you snatched a hook across its back. It bit.

[Jd_Phillips_Fishin]

If you weren't sight fishing then a snagged fish would count in my book.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I'll be that guy and say that I don't think snagged fish count at all. Having a hook pull and catch a fish in the side is a tricky situation, and my solution would be to simply not use lures that do this very often.

[Catch 22]

The fish was landed with a hook  in a place other than in its mouth. It was snagged.

To count it as a pb would be bitter sweet at best.  Plus now we know.

[SirSnookalot]

Only your opinion counts.  My opinion is I don't keep track of a personal best anyway, in your case the fish wasn't weighed, it's only a guess as to the size.  If it isn't weighed it can't be a personal best for sure.

[Jaderose]

I'd count it but the fact that you are even asking the question means you don't believe it does and you are looking for permission to call it good.  If you have to ask to ease your own mind, it doesn't count.

[MidwestF1sh]

I would say if there's doubt to you there's always going to be doubt so don't count it. If it was my fish no doubt it'd count. Just like a crank bait theres so many times you land a fish on a hook that got in them during the fight outside the mouth. Thefish went for it and had it in its mouth.

[Drew03cmc]

Congrats bud, new personal bests are always nice!

[TwoCan]

Snagged fish most definitely count but A-Rig fish don't. Sorry bro. 

X2

[EmersonFish]

From a technical standpoint, it depends on the regs in your state. I assume most places, if you are not sight fishing, a fish hooked outside the mouth is a legal catch. He attacked your bait, you caught it. In most tournaments, that fish would go in the livewell, which is significant.

I think in this case, what makes it a debate is your personal pause about the situation. It is a "personal best" after all. If you are not comfortable with it now, you never will be until you catch a bigger one.

Personally, I'm not sure how I'd feel about it. I think I'd feel more conflicted about the fact I caught it on an A-rig at all than the fact that is was hooked outside the mouth.