Thanks for the replies. I'm not trying to start a debate on ethics. I'm just trying to determine if, for MARINE WATERS, there is a definition IN THE REGULATIONS of where a fish must be hooked in order to be legally kept. If not, I think it's a bad oversight, especially if you could get a ticket written for it. If there is a definition, is it written in plain language somewhere, as it should be? Or does it require minute cross-referencing to conclude? If I have missed this topic in ealier threads, just let me know. Thanks, again.