I'm going to throw my hat in on this one. I have fished the infamous Blue creek in the past(Not since the slide)and I don't buy into the flossing/lining/snagger theory in this kind of water. myself, I use what you would call traditional leader length, always, But I have witnessed the 6"+ leader practice and from what I've seen they are usually very plainly hooked in the chops. I don't know why it works there; maybe the fish are suspended or? don't have the answer why, just know that it does work there and they usually are not snagged. And not to promote the practice of lining fish does the reg book not state hooked above the gill plate is legal? I think it's a fine line between what legal and ethical fishing practices are. Legal practices are simple they are in the reg. book, ethical practices are up to the individual, and at one point or another we have all moved that line just a little.

20 pounder hatchery fish hooked from the outide of the maxila inward, you trowing it back? Yea right!