Is this good for the fish?

[Al Thomas]

This was sent to me to see what I thought of the method. After watching the video I'm not sure. I have been fishing on the PM in Mich. and seen guys lining salmon and think that it is a skill and a proper way to fish. They are sight fishing and using bright amnesia so they see it enter the mouth, then they pull it through and snag the fish on the outside of the mouth.
What do you think of this new way?

I am all about the fish, 100% release. If this is better for the survival rate should it be used?
As of now it would not be allowed in most states.

http://www.moffittangling.com/control/system

[shorthaul]

Hi Al

Looks like the old hopper/ dropper trick---fish goes for the hopper and gets the line in his mouth and the dropper gets him as the line slides through his mouth.

You dont have to go to the pm to see guys lining fish the same way---just go to the lake Erie tribs in the spring.

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

Interesting, especially if you are releasing the fish, or even if you plan to keep a couple. I know how bad some fish can get hooked and not survive when released, from past experience.

[scubatim]

looks like an interesting system but not sure of the legality here in Indiana as it might be considered snagging.

[peregrines]

Just my take.. It may be well intentioned, but it IS snagging in that the line is dragged through the mouth and the hook sinks on the outside of the jaw (or potentially the eye or gill plate??). The technique also seems like it and would provide "cover" for those that would deliberately line or lift holding fish. For folks concerned about hurting fish, better to go barbless to reduce damage or just use a circle hook to grab the jaw IMHO.

peregrines

[Al Thomas]

The more I look at the setup, it looks like you are lining the fish with an indicator fly. If you are sight fishing it would aid you in locating the line at the mouth and you would be snagging the fish.

[NoLuck]

I believe that it is called flossing. I've done it on accident quite a few times. I'll fish a EHC and put a scud or midge as a dropper and catch them that way. I'm not sure how the Conservation Dept. would clarify this because its actually caught in the mouth. I always figure it as a snagged fish.

[bobbyg]

Not very sportsmanlike, in my opinion.

[Marco]

Seems like a method used to catch fish to KEEP. Too mechanical/gimmicky for my tastes. I enjoy fishing and the occasional catching by the old tried and true method. I vote NO on this one.

Mark

[J Castwell]

I hated it when a fish I caught would show some blood and that is why I quit fishing the flies that they swallow and in a manner that promotes it. Mostly I fish dry. This method would seem to allow you to fish a nymph or any wet fly downstream and keep the hook confined to the jaw area. The whole idea does not turn me on either, but may have some good points. If it will allow those who 'must' fish a certain way to do so and not harm the fish probably ok. Just smacks of snagging to me too.