[alanw]

Originally Posted by Aaron&Julie

A very good reminder, Wade, for all those that are unfamiliar with that information.

I'll add this, if you catch a legal, gaff it, or just put it on a clip, don't try to upgrade to a bigger size, you'll only be killing the 1st fish. Just sliding the game clip, stringer through their gills will be traumatic enough to kill the fish.

If after you have one gaffed or kept, and a 2nd larger one comes up, even if by 10lbs or more, suck it up, and be a TRUE sportsman for the sanctity of our sport and that prize catch. If you can't leave it in the water to unhook it, cut the line and sacrifice a hook, even the expensive ones. If the fish swallowed down a jig so deep that you can't reach it, drag it's body out of the water as best you can and work on doing that fish as little damage as possible. That last scenario doesn't happen very often.

It's okay, to continue fishing after you boated one WSB, maybe trying for a yellow, or barndoor. Just keep in mind, that most of us will find you quite despicable if you kill a fish just to upgrade to a larger model.

Aaron

Good advice. Not only is it despicable, but also illegal.

25. What is "hi-grading", and is it legal?

"Hi-grading" is the practice of discarding smaller fish as larger fish are caught to round out an individual's daily bag limit with large or trophy fish. Hi-grading can lead to overlimits, as the smaller fish that are subsequently discarded are still counted against the daily bag limit, and this could also be considered a "waste of fish". Hi-grading is illegal.