I don't want to be united with snaggers. I don't know any legit anglers who do. What would the purpose of us coming together be? I can't think of one. Blanket statements and name calling is regular because it is in attempts to fight, what we feel, is poor justification for fishing. I know you probably don't like the generalizations and blanket statements about snagger behavior and such, but the truth is that by partaking in the practice, an angler is encouraging the destrucive behavior and culture surrounding flossing. I have never met a flosser or snagger, that I feel, can bring any substance to the "supporting" of our fisheries. In my own experience, flossers have a blatant disregard for the law and have given me no reason to want to have them as "team member." If they did lend a hand, maybe they would be more inclined to respect the fish. There is no "elitism" surrounding legit angling. We're just attempting to defend our sport.

As for all the PETA type arguments: the difference between flossing and fishing is consent from the fish. Sure we are both causing harm to the fish, and are both attempting to trigger deeply embeded biological responses within ourselves, but when the fish bite, the fight is a consequence of their own behavior. I think that snagging the fish completely devalue them. It's simply a value judgement that some people lack the ability to make, and thats why regulations attempt to enforce it. For some one to floss only because they think its "better" for the fish, is rediculous. They've just given up.

When it comes to impacts from hooking (not just mortality) I haven't read aything about fitness and fecundity, and little about hooking mortality (most evidence I feel to be inconclusive), impacting spawning fish. I still feel there isn't enough evidence to make any statements about snagging being better for the fish. Prove me wrong.

I'm done with this useless shitt. North Cal, don't start a thread just so you can gawk at it. And don't get defensive when we gawk back.