Well, KSR, I think you might be over-analyzing. I speculate there are 2 types of fishermen: The legitimate angler, and the snagger. Snaggers don't care where a fish is hooked, the angler does.

To review scenario #1: Way to go! Could one even tell they actually hooked a second fish? Legally hooked, no problem.

#2: If you land a belly-hooked fish, the legitimate angler will immediately release the fish (since it's the law), but the snagger will be relieved it wasn't hooked in the tail.

I'm just trying to boil it down to a much simpler form.

I'm still relatively new to river fishing, but accidental snagging is something that a lot of fishermen will encounter, and the disposition of the fish (released or bonked) will separate the true fisherman from the lowlife, inbred, one-toothed snagger.

Anyway, that's my worthless nickel's worth

John