This thread came in very handy today. I had a good two-pounder who tried his best to swallow a 3/0 Gammy. Got it out with lots of swearing but very little blood and no visible damage.

 

How long is too long to keep a bass out of water? I got him back in and he swam off, but it was longer than a sixty second ordeal.

How long can you hold your breath?

Seriously, about a minute to 90 seconds is reasonable. After that, I lip them and give them a minute in the water or put them in the live well to recuperate if its going to be a prolonged procedure. This also works if you want a picture.

I keep a pair of side cutters with me and cut the hook so that I can remove it. Usually you can cut the point and barb off. If not, I cut it as close to the gut as possible and pull the barb end out. Very rarly lose a fish doing this.

I always cut the line if a fish swallows the hook, always. I u have some sort of bolt cutter than that  could work but otherwise some heavy damage can be done to the fish trying to rip it out. Way better chance of survival. I fish plastic worms weightless so typically this is not an issue as I set the hook after a very short wait. If I'm not paying attention and they run with it, that can be another story.

No one said "rip it out."  Please see the link above for details on how to remove deep hooks.  All it takes is a pair of fishing pliers.  Leaving the hook in the fish's gut greatly reduces it's ability to recover and feed normally.