Gut hooked one...

[Hyrule Bass]

On 5/27/2018 at 3:28 PM, bagofdonuts said:

Not sure what studies your referring to. I’ve read several that show removing the hook on a deaply hooked fish nearly doubles the mortality rate. One I recall was on trout stated that leaving the hook decreased mortality rate from 79% to 47%. The fish has a better chance of  expelling the hook itself. I’m not against keeping the fish, but if the question is how to prevent mortality, all the studies I’ve seen say leave the hook. If the fish is not legal size keeping it may get you a ticket. 

Trout are really fragile, bass are not though many enthusiasts tend to act like they are. The through the gills method does no damage to the fish, it cant be worse than leaving a hook obstructing a basses throat. now, you got people out there that will rip half a basses throat out just to get their hook back, this method doesnt do that