are you supposed to report when you hook a sea turtle in the surf. i helped a guy next to me release it. there's really nothing you can do to prevent it but a was just wondering.

dang it i found my answer:
If caught on rod and reel; DO NOT remove the hook and release the turtle- cut the fishing line and call the turtle people. It was once thought that when the turtle was hooked and if you cut the line and released it, the turtle would have a 50% chance of survival. This is WRONG!!! They�ll actually have less than 10% chance of survival. But if the turtle people recovers the hooked turtle they can properly remove the hook either by surgery, or by working the hook out of the turtle, then rehabilitate it for release.

it was hooked in its lower mouth where lips would be if can imagine i hope it makes it. next time i will y definitely call the right people.

I've never caught one. But I have rescued a baby out of rough surf. Then two years ago I ran over with my boat by accident. Came off the back of a wave about 20 miles offshore. Because of the wave I never saw him until I topped the wave and was coming down. He was directly beneath me and I landed right on top of him. I heard his shell hit the hull. Went back to look but found nothing. I guess he sank. I felt bad, but what can you do.

never caaught a sea turtle but had one watch me fish for 30 min at the north jetty in Galveston last year, was nervous about him taking my bait. still cool as caan be

Good to know. We have seen them out by the POC jetties swimming around.

It's good to just leave them be. We cant afford the fines anyway.