Foul Hooked

A properly hooked fish is a fish that is hooked in the mouth, on the mouth, in the lips or outside the lips.  A foul hooked fish is a fish that is hooked on the body of the fish.  Here is what the DEC states

“At All Times:

• Snatching and attempting to snatch is prohibited. Snatching is indicated by repeated or exaggerated jerking motions of the
  fishing rod.
• All foul-hooked fish must be immediately released without unnecessary injury.
• Use or possession of gaff hooks is prohibited except when ice fishing.
• Any action to frighten fish and move them from concealment, including herding, driving, kicking or stoning is prohibited.”

During the Salmon River’s salmon run it is easy to foul hook a fish due to the high number of fish. It is customary for sportsmen not to fight a foul hooked fish but to break off or break the line immediately. This is due to the fact that a fish that is foul hooked and fought and “immediately released” could die from the fight.