I was watching an old BASS tourney from back in 98. KVD mentioned he hooked a fish deep and hoped he wouldn't die. So that sparked a question which I am not sure about.

 

If you catch a fish and he doesn't make it thru the day... Can you cull the fish, If he is dead? If you are going to pay the penalty of a dead fish anyway would you or could you bring in alive fish and hope to gain that 4 oz penalty?

 

I am not sure if there is a rule against it or it is looked at as unethical?

Someone correct me but I think it depends on the tournament. I have fished some local club tourneys that allow culling of dead fish; and some larger opens that it was not allowed. If I'm not mistaken, the Elites do not allow culling of dead fish. And with the cameras and Marshalls on board, I don't think you could get away with it.

Most organizations will NOT let you cull dead

Every tournament/orginization I have ever fished in or with has had a no culling of dead fish rule. It's also a rule in the local tournaments I run as well. Some trails will even hit you with a penelty if the fish is alive but not fit for release.

We have a no culling dead fish rule and a 1lb penalty for weighing in a dead fish.