Flounder

Question
I caught an undersized flounder, around 13? long.  It had swallowed the mud minnow and hook.  As a result the treble hook was hooked in the stomach.  I ended up pulling the stomach out while trying to extract it.  The fish was dead or dying.  Is there an exemption that allows you to keep a fish if something like this happens?

Answer
this is the reason why the IGFA does not allow the use of treble hooks on bait.

the best way is to use single hooks instead of trebles for your stingers. rigged right, they will still be effective.

depending on the treble hook you used, you can cut the line as far back as you can and release the fish, in time, the hook will rust off.

if you want to be safer still, use barbless hooks.