hey congrats on that march cover, yet another picture of another snagged fish, nice, this is the second time i"ve posted about this, the last time was written off as a prop for a pic, the hook just stuck there for the pic. At least thats the story that was given to me, i'm sure the string is still up here somewhere to revisit. Now on the cover of the march issue, yet another snagged pic, was this the same story on this pic as well?  On the cover? you guys cannot even keep pics of snagged fish off the cover? whos to blame, the photographer, a lindner who should know the deal, or the fisherman, maybe the editor that picked the picture. but seriously, showing pics of snagged fish in my  book is unacceptable, its a form of spreading misinformation, people who dont know may look at this pic and think a fish caught in such a manner can be kept , this is a foul hooked fish, one not legal to be kept in just about every state. and for people to look from across a busy department store that stocks your mag they may get the impression that they too could keep this fish.  
    Ya know, as a member i"m asking for much but if ya cant keep the foul hooked pics out of the mag i definately not be adding myself to life member. Why is it i have to bring this up again? all i'm saying is if ya cant keep the snagged pics out, i'll go elsewhere. no skin off my fishin lures. And i'm not out to start a big arguement, but face it, can you argue that its snagged? nope ya cant, no way that hook twisted around to be in that position if it was a clean hook. 
 I'm done North American Snagging club.

You are beating a dead horse, my man! Those pictures are posed. Why is it that the only time we hear from you is when you complain about supposedly foul hooked fish. And who says the fish was kept? I doubt anyone who fishes for any length of time has never foul hooked a fish, it happens and I include you in this group. Tom

It's called advertisement opithemious. Does the jig look wet? Not to me. The topic of this month's issue covers different color of jigs to use. If the jig was in the fish's mouth, you wouldn't be able to see it. And as far as your impression of the magazine spreading "misinformation," I completely disagree. The story is about the jig, not about fowl hooking. Come on, read the article. It makes sense.

I foul hooked a 4 pound smallmouth last summer. Saw him coming in sideways and I got cocky bringing him in, gave him way to much slack, and the fish got off. Boy, did I feel like throwing up! It's not everyday you hook a smallie of that caliber only to lose him because of incompetence! Now, back to the original topic. Opithemious, " North American Snagging Club?" Really? Aren't you being a little dramatic? It's just the cover of a simple magazine. Of course it is a fabricated situation. If the fish was still flopping around in the water and all you could see was a blur, would you really want to buy the magazine!? You need to focus your energy on a topic that is more relevant and productive.

Opithemious: Your post generated discussion internally today; thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Photos are selected to support editorial. In this case, colors for crappie. The fish featured was legally caught (notice redness at top of mouth), but the jig was repositioned for maximum exposure. -- Steve Pennaz, NAFC Executive Director

Interesting topic. I live in Utah and could not find anything in the rulebook about "snagged" fish. What exactly is the definition of a "snagged" fish, and why would it be illegal to keep? I guess I don't see the problem, and I've never even heard of it before. (Yes, I am a newbie)

Snagging is illegal because of the nature of it.  You just throw a hook out and try to "snag" into a fish to catch it.  It is deadly to the fish if they get away and just a bad practice.  It is illegal to keep a snagged fish because it is illegal to catch most fish in this manner (you could say it was an accident but that is what any snagger caught would say right?).  This is my understanding of the issue.

Thanks BigEdV. I can see how this may be problem where there are schools of fish. That said, I don't believe anyone serious about fishing would do something so idiotic (and therefore, it is doubtful they'd join the club or buy a fishing magazine in the first place.)

There are situations where snagging is not only legal but desirable. In south Florida many anglers snag mullet for bait and here in the Chicago area snagging for salmon is legal and encouraged in certain areas. It is also a method to remove undesirable fish that can't be caught on hook and line. (grass carp that have taken over a pond come to mind) A foul hooked fish (hooked anyplace but the mouth) should be released. Anyone who fishes for a long time will eventually foul hook a fish, most likely more than one! Tom

i've read the replies and i wanna post a couple comments. Yes snags happen, mostly accidental hopefully. And yes as long a a snagged Gamefish gets thrown back its no problem. And yes invasives are welcome to be snagged as well as other scenarios and kept or not. I know there are situations that snags are no big deal. BUT a crappie, shown on the cover, with the hook in fouled position, is not the best pic a magazine could put on the cover. I dont pay good money to look at pics of foul hooked and as the pros that you are why would you put this on your cover? Again its a form of misinformation. Maybe not to people who know. But people who dont know may not realize its just a prop, a pic for advertizing.So as the pros, why are you showin amateur photos? Pic by a lindner? I would think a lindner would know but maybe not related . Anyways my lunch break is over and my cell phone needs charged.

Posted By opithemious on 21 Mar 2011 12:35 PM
i've read the replies and i wanna post a couple comments. Yes snags happen, mostly accidental hopefully. And yes as long a a snagged Gamefish gets thrown back its no problem. And yes invasives are welcome to be snagged as well as other scenarios and kept or not. I know there are situations that snags are no big deal. BUT a crappie, shown on the cover, with the hook in fouled position, is not the best pic a magazine could put on the cover. I dont pay good money to look at pics of foul hooked and as the pros that you are why would you put this on your cover? Again its a form of misinformation. Maybe not to people who know. But people who dont know may not realize its just a prop, a pic for advertizing.So as the pros, why are you showin amateur photos? Pic by a lindner? I would think a lindner would know but maybe not related . Anyways my lunch break is over and my cell phone needs charged.

Thanks for your feedback. As Steve Pennaz noted, your post raised a good deal of discussion here. We appreciate your passion for fishing and conservation and we are glad you hold us to such a high standard. -- Regards, Web Guy Greg

You're all class Web Guy.

perhaps next time the lure could just be layed beside the fish . as far as the mag on the market I have never seen in in my department stores.
but it dose give those who are against us more amo to make us look bad.

I was under the impression that aside from "sample or trial" copies the circulation of the mag was strictly to club members. I still don't understand why this is such an issue with Opithemious. There is nothing in the article about keeping foul hooked fish, the club has always advocated CPR, and I find it strange that the only posts this gentleman has made concern 2 cover pictures that in my opinion are ambiguous at best! Tom

Pegsguy: You are correct. The magazine is Members Only.

I see the Magazine on the shelves of Barne's and Noble and what's the name of that other bookstore, right next to Infisherman. When was it changed into exclusively members only? Or how is it that they have it on the shelves?

Posted By slipperybob on 24 Mar 2011 04:25 PM
I see the Magazine on the shelves of Barne's and Noble and what's the name of that other bookstore, right next to Infisherman. When was it changed into exclusively members only? Or how is it that they have it on the shelves?

slipperybob, where do you live? I never looked for it and don't recall seing it, but now that you have mentioned it I will keep my eyes open in CT to see if I can find it on the shelves.

The only thing that I can see wrong with the magazine is the cigarette add!!my kids read the mag too,I gotta rip that page out every month.same with the hunting club mag..don,t see them in any other hunting or fishing mag i get..what give's????

Posted By ramseyetcs on 24 Mar 2011 06:28 PM

Posted By slipperybob on 24 Mar 2011 04:25 PM
I see the Magazine on the shelves of Barne's and Noble and what's the name of that other bookstore, right next to Infisherman. When was it changed into exclusively members only? Or how is it that they have it on the shelves?

slipperybob, where do you live? I never looked for it and don't recall seing it, but now that you have mentioned it I will keep my eyes open in CT to see if I can find it on the shelves.

I'm in MN.  Not that I visit those bookstore, except once in a blue moon - maybe not even.  But I remember seeing it on the shelves before I get my magazine delivered to me.  That was back when I would buy a copy or two of Infisherman here and there.