Sparkey,

You said "...I know it is just illegal...you bonk a hatchery fish and go to punch it, yet you left your card in your car...what do you do??..."

Just my unsolicited opinion, but I believe you should:

1. Immediately stop fishing.

2. Go to your car and punch your tag.

I doubt if you encountered an enforcement officer on your way back to the car and he/she asked to see your punch card that you would be ticketed when you explain the circumstances (forgot the punch card in the car and going back to make it right.) I believe this is far more honest, and certainly more ethical, than "...Better the fish get recorded then not at all..."

As others have alluded, exacerbating the situation by breaking even morel regs and dragging others into your predicament probably won't win much sympathy from that same enforcement officer.

I can't believe you went on the public record with "...I know it is just illegal..."