I got a kick out of all the posts on this subject when you watch the pictures associated with the four articles that rotate across the home page.  Each of the four pictures have "lipped" bass.

Anything over 5 pounds I just boat flip

 

Butch knows how to hold them.

 

32 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

Anything over 5 pounds I just boat flip

I'm not a big fan of this technique either.  Any slime that is lost to a rough boat carpet is a chance for infection.  Not to mention the flopping around on a hard surface.  I believe a wet (preferably rubber) net is the safest for the fish.....IMHO.

29 minutes ago, 2tall79 said:

I'm not a big fan of this technique either.  Any slime that is lost to a rough boat carpet is a chance for infection.  Not to mention the flopping around on a hard surface.  I believe a wet (preferably rubber) net is the safest for the fish.....IMHO.

If they don't boat flip I gaff them.

2 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Anything over 5 pounds I just boat flip

Lol 

I've read in a few places that holding a large fish vertically can tear their internal organs as well -

http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/2014/02/the-proper-way-to-hold-a-bass-a-scientific-perspective.html

Why has no one been able to prove any of the ridiculous claims about lifting a bass by it's jaw?  It's absolute rubbish science - no data! There is no issue when they held properly vertical.

Besides, how do you get the hooks out?  What does Mr. PhD suggest?

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Why has no one been able to prove any of the ridiculous claims about lifting a bass by it's jaw?  It's absolute rubbish science - no data! There is no issue when they held properly vertical.

Besides, how do you get the hooks out?  What does Mr. PhD suggest?

Who cares - look at that TOAD !  

Especially on "The Spinner"

A-Jay

Second biggest NY fish.  4" Flick Shake on a Zappu hook. 7-1.

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Who cares - look at that TOAD !  

Especially on "The Spinner"

A-Jay

That's what I was thinking, that fish would be a handful on that combo!!!!

13 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

That's what I was thinking, that fish would be a handful on that combo!!!!

Three short, drag stripping runs, maybe 15' tops.  Fight was probably less than a minute.  Despite it's size, that's an old wood handle Stradic 1000 with 15# braid and a Carbontex drag washer, on a Eyecon 6-3 MXF.  Stout and light.

19 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Anything over 5 pounds I just boat flip

I boat flipped a 4.5lb smallmouth on a spinning rod and 8lb test a couple years ago  She was rocketing towards the surface and angling slightly towards the boat and going to break the surface a couple feet away from the boat, just seemed like the thing to do at the time.

This one in fact.

2 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I boat flipped a 4.5lb smallmouth on a spinning rod and 8lb test a couple years ago  She was rocketing towards the surface and angling slightly towards the boat and going to break the surface a couple feet away from the boat, just seemed like the thing to do at the time.

This one in fact.

Pink - the bait color for sensitive bass ~

Nice fish

A-Jay

From a kayak you can lip them all. In fact, I'd probably lose more trying to get the net ready and keep the fish hooked up. If they're heavy you just let them rest with most of the body in the water. It's better for them. I haven't caught the bass I won't lip yet.

I often belly grab them ion the kayak, especially if it's got a face full of treble hooks.

On 12/10/2016 at 11:36 AM, corn-on-the-rob said:

... I would be much more concerned about keeping the fish wet\oxygenated than by how long you are holding them, as long as it's properly, even for a moderate amount of time.

There was some research done a few years ago looking at this question an both LM and SM time out of water in relation to water temp. The results surprised everyone. Bass -notably LM- are known to be able to handle very low 02 levels in the environment -they are adapted to it. The results showed that bass could stay out for surprisingly long periods (10minutes I believe), revive, and survive. LM's more so than SM's as I remember.

This does mean that we shouldn't take care with our fish; I like to "inconvenience" them as little as possible. They've got important stuff to get on to, just like the rest of us. But, I suppose, if you were going to "abuse" a fish this way, LM bass appear to be capable of surviving it better than most.

 

10 minutes ago, Paul Roberts said:

The results showed that bass could stay out for surprisingly long periods (10minutes I believe), revive, and survive.

That's an eye-popper!  However, there's more to it than just breathing, and the key word is "survive."  I'd rather the fish "thrive" if I'm releasing them.

5 hours ago, J Francho said:

That's an eye-popper!  However, there's more to it than just breathing, and the key word is "survive."  I'd rather the fish "thrive" if I'm releasing them.

Exactly.

23 hours ago, J Francho said:

Why has no one been able to prove any of the ridiculous claims about lifting a bass by it's jaw?  It's absolute rubbish science - no data! There is no issue when they held properly vertical.

Besides, how do you get the hooks out?  What does Mr. PhD suggest?

Ah... hadn't seen this one.

Texas Parks and Wildlife has had plenty to say on this out of their Share Lunker program, where serious jaw damage has been documented. They are talking about very large (>13lbs) bass however.

I stop lipping them around 4lbs but always hold them vertical as to not harm them

What kills me us watching the "Pro's"  flip them over into the boat on the carpet then pick it up and give it the shaken baby syndrome while hoot'n and holler'n loud enough to be heard  across the lake because it's a big fish, potential money fish....All that right before they slam it into the box and haul it around all day. Watch'em and see if I'm full of it. They don't seem to give a flip or it sure looks that way to me. I can't say squat I guess, because I'm guilty of lipping for a pic, then again I don't catch many over 5#'s