What did you expect them to do? confused

That is why some people think this is a silly rule, it clouds the real issue of commercial netting (tribal and non)

For the record... I'm for releasing wild steelies, in fact, when I go I throw them all back, hatch included. I might hold them 4 inches out of the water for a 15 second photo, but I gently release every one. Sort of gives away my feelings towards the "in the water rule".