There are several variables I consider. Cover, fish size, and wind are some. 

We use somewhat lite gear so pulling the fish in usually involves some sort of fight. I don't know if it's worse on the fish to waterski them in at Mach 1 or fight and tire them out. In all honesty if our number one concern was not to hurt fish we wouldn't spend all this time, effort, and money to stick a hook in them in the first place. I also agree with everyone that LM usually don't fight as well as other species of fish I caught. ( such as 3 lb Salmon in a fast moving river on a 5 wt. fly rod.) but bass fishing is something my wife can participate in and bass fishing waters are close to us.

                                                       Jim

I tend to get the fish back to the boat as fast as I can. If I end up skiing the fish, so be it. I’ve really gotten into salt water fishing lately and go that direction if I want to battle a fish. Bass fishing is more about the game of getting them to bite an artificial for me.

It's entirely up to the fish. I'm going to keep constant pressure on the fish to prevent it shaking loose. If that pressure is enough to end the fight in seconds, then it ends in seconds. If they are big/strong/active enough to hold against moderate, constant pressure, then the fight will last longer. Sadly, the ponds close to home where I do most of my fishing average only 1-2 lbs, which leads to shorter fights. I have no goal based on how fast/slow the fight is over. My goal is only on the technique of a high rate of success for landing the catch. Bass are pretty good at shaking a hook, so I don't ease up my pressure just to extend the fight.

If the cover is thick and I’m flipping or frogging with few hooks involved I’m usually trying to get the fish ( largemouth usually) moved up and out fairly quickly. If it’s big, strong smallies and I’m using crankbaits or jerkbaits then I’m more likely to go easy on them, at least until I can see how many hooks are embedded well. Obviously with light line/finesse I’m not gonna horse em too much. I don’t fish too many tournaments any more so I’m not quite as worried about a fish coming off, unless of course it’s a monster, then I’m a bit more careful with them. 

Some individual bass fight much harder than others. Earlier this evening I tossed a jig/trailer to bridge pilings and a bass inhaled it the instant it touched the water.  It must have tracked the lure visually as it arced through the air. The bass then pulled with  incredible strength, and even pulled out some #40 pound braid from my reel, even though the drag was almost maxed. The fight lead me to expect at least a 6 pounder. But it was a skinny 2-1/2 pound fish. That bass deserved a medal.

@hawgenvy agree 100%

 

I fish a lot of 15-25' structure...those bass don't like the surface ?

I have had small bass turn my kayak around.  Alligators put up a decent fight, but they don't jump.  Personaly, I try to get Bass and Bream out of cover and then carefully get them to hand.  It is more instinctual than a thought out process.  Some of the best battles I have had were Catfish on a fly rod while fishing for Bream!  And those biting Bowfin (Grinnel).  The real fight with them starts when you get them in the boat!  Don't lip one.

Situational for me, if I'm finesse fishing with light line and a spinning rod I play the fish and take my time. In heavy cover situations, especially frog fishing, I have my drag tightened all the way and I ski them across the top of the mats. I caught a 6.5 on a frog this year in some thick mats and had him to the bank in all of about 5 seconds. 

I'm not a biologist so I can not tell you about lactic acid or anything like that.  I can tell you that I have killed fish, especially small northern pike (less than 30") when catching them on a light weight fly rod.  Playing any fish too long will kill them.  (I should add that my experience has been only freshwater)  I also found this out by fishing with only ultralight tackle.  It can be fun, but deadly for the fish.

Sometimes I have to turn them . Fishing in cover its preferable to get them out fast . I'm also probably using a single hook and  getting  a strong hook set . If Its a big fish in relatively open water then it is beneficial to not tear  the hooks out of their mouths , especially with treble  hook lures . 

I try to get the fish to the boat as fast as possible. I think wearing a fish out with light tackle does far more damage to them than 'skiing' them to the boat.