I haven't read any since early last year but have always understood intentional snagging was outlined as a no no , if not it should be.

Still not the same thing

Implies that its intentional. Not uncommon to foul hook a fish with crankbaits, jerk baits, or a rigs.

HDVS said no body has a "no snagging" rule. Every tournament that I have ever fished from the smallest to the largest have always said you must follow all games laws.

A "no snagging" rule isn't necessary since it is covered in the games laws of the State of Texas.

Accidental or intentional is what would define lawful or unlawful in that instance. IMO.

Well that would dq any fish that is hooked outside of the mouth no matter the situation.

As much disdain I have for livescope The parts pimp is right, It’s not the same as sight fishing. With a crank bait jerk bait you don’t know if it was hooked in the mouth and side then the mouth came un-buttoned but the side did not.

But this is the internet and folks gonna argue all day. Not me not today.


Remember sir. Never argue with a fool he’ll pull you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Arguing is just part of a discussion now days!

No it wouldn't as it reads, "use a pole and line to take or attempt to take fish", which means someone has the intent to "snag a fish" purposely,

That's what would make it illegal. Not an accidental instance of a fish hooked outside it's mouth.

I was mostly on your side, but really? Take or attempt to take implies 'intent'. Casting, and reeling a crank bait without the snagging/jerking/foul-hook is totally different. Swiping, in other words, the fish turning and hooking itself outside the mouth is a legal catch. Jerking indiscriminately to catch a fish is much different!

Ps. The subject of snagging fish should never be discussed without bringing up Sprague.

So it’s done now. Shut it down

The way I read it is attempt to take implies intent! The issue is that TPWD stated it as Take OR attempt to take says a lot. All of us have foul hooked a fish with a crank bait or jerk bait ect.. I think the Take part of it has more bearing on ffs issue. If you foul hook a fish and put it in the live well to weigh in in my opinion you have (Taken) that fish even it is to be released later! It’s definitely a grey area but I would hate to be holding a winning fish and take the poly in that situation. On the other hand if your holding a SAL fish and about to hand it over to TPWD I’m sure it would be no questions asked!

We need to get Mike Longs opinion on the situation.

As previously stated… if you are intentionally snagging the fish there is already a rule covering that. If you don’t win and get a poly a person would likely never get caught with or without FFS. It comes down to basic morals and ethics.

It was a bit of an eye opener last year with Rooster and Crankin Craig, remember the idiots that put a video on YouTube intentionally culling a dead fish during Basschamps? No telling how many more of those we fish against every tournament that aren’t stupid enough to post a video or finish in a polygraph spot.

If that TPWD is written out as is then that could be interpreted alot of ways. The last part about foul hooking is separated from the sentence that covers intent!
Intent is also not really what the question I ask is about. Lets say u r looking at a fish on ur FFS and it's not biting. So u give a couple of quick twitches and feel something. Of course ur going to set the hook. Get the fish in and its snagged in the tail or the back. No where near the mouth. You had no Intent but u were visually looking at that fish in real time on a graph and more than likely snagged him (in some sense) bc what u felt was probably ur bait running into him.
I believe in black nd white rules and no gray areas. But many push those areas at every level.