had it happen - it sucks. last one with the small pond/lake i fish the fish aint that big, but there are two huge turtles that hang around and i believe that i gave them an easy meal to grow larger. last i saw the turtles they were 15 to 20 lbs a piece. if the bass were bigger i would keep 'n cook no problem. also its a neighborhood lake and i am not sure how clean they are.

39 minutes ago, BigShew2 said:

had it happen - it sucks. last one with the small pond/lake i fish the fish aint that big, but there are two huge turtles that hang around and i believe that i gave them an easy meal to grow larger. last i saw the turtles they were 15 to 20 lbs a piece. if the bass were bigger i would keep 'n cook no problem. also its a neighborhood lake and i am not sure how clean they are.

 

 

 

I think the smaller ones are the best to eat... 12-14" 

I've seen fish with their entire gills ripped out and hanging along the side living and feeding just fine. Maybe it died, maybe it didn't. If you don't want to waste it, take it home (provided it's a keeper, a bleeding fish doesn't negate wildlife laws). Otherwise, nature will take it's course and nothing will be wasted still. 

 

Here's a muskie my BIL caught on a buzzbait several years ago that someone had ripped out it's gills, but he was still going good enough to destroy a buzzbait, quite literally.

Glad to hear about circle books. I never knew they were easier on the fish.

 

 

Do you lose many?

19 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

 

 

 

I think the smaller ones are the best to eat... 12-14" 

Glad you told me, I like the little 8 to 12 inch trout and two to three lbs cats. Never had the chance to keep a bass that small very many times. 

3 hours ago, XpressJeff said:

Glad to hear about circle books. I never knew they were easier on the fish.

 

 

Do you lose many?

The o-ring method of rigging a Senko works good with circle hooks. The key with a circle hook is not setting the hook, you simply lift the Rod upright and reel, the hook ends up at the corner of the mouth, you don't lose them.

Tom

Water temperature plays a big role too.  Mortality is a lot higher when the water is warmer.  I wouldn't worry about it too much but maybe try to learn from your mistake.  There are a lot suggestions on here already on how to avoid having a problem in the future.  You could just set the hook quicker too instead of waiting.  It may be easier said than done but at least you won't gut or gill hook em.