Technically, if a hook point penetrates the fishes head/jaw from the outside and the point goes thru to the inside of it's mouth it is illegal to keep the 'lined' fish. Many gammies are reluctant to cite this as infraction because of the large excess hatchery runs the last couple of years, as well as a lack of clear snagging intent. That doesn't make it right. Whether it's ethical or not to keep an excess hatchery fish in this manner is hard to say - let your conscience be your guide. I catch enough fish legally that I would release such a hooked fish. If I didn't, I honestly don't know what I would do. I probably would release it to set a proper example though. As for blantant rip snaggers, they are a breed below liners for sure. We should all report them to gammies to help curtail this, because they will continue to do this when the runs dwindle again if they are not cited and fined. My $0.02 worth.

RT