When we attempt to grab a bluegill or a crayfish, we do so with the intent not to damage or injure it. A bass strikes to eat prey. It’s not thinking about anything but EAT. So we often try and grab it slow and easy, and get stuck or pinched in the process.
 

It’s like how does a vet or a vet assistant get pills down a dog or cat’s throat and when we do it, we struggle. It’s because they do it fast and quick without worrying about causing it anxiety like pet owner’s do. They have a job to do and do it. 
 

So does the bass. The job is survival. 

3 hours ago, geo g said:

.  I have pulled the fish up with my pliers and the lower part was already dissolved

Last summer(7/19) I was out and saw a fish wallowing and thrashing in the surface. As I got closer I could see the space between the dorsal and tail fins and it seemed as it was easily pushing 24" long. Bass or pickeral I couldn't say. Just as I closed in on it the fish thrashed violently and disappeared leaving behind this appx. 12" perch. I figured somehow the spines caught in its throat and it was struggling to regurgitate.

I have seen aquarium fish (Bass, Oscars, Groupers) grab a fish in their mouth head first, sideways or tail and hold it. They wait for awhile and then spit it out to reposition and then take it all in head first. 
 

This makes sense as when I grab a Gill I run my hand along its head back to its tail to brush the spines down. I very rarely if ever get spined with this technique. Fish seem to naturally know when a fish is larger than bite sized to take it head first.

1 hour ago, keagbassr said:

Last summer(7/19) I was out and saw a fish wallowing and thrashing in the surface. As I got closer I could see the space between the dorsal and tail fins and it seemed as it was easily pushing 24" long. Bass or pickeral I couldn't say. Just as I closed in on it the fish thrashed violently and disappeared leaving behind this appx. 12" perch. I figured somehow the spines caught in its throat and it was struggling to regurgitate.

Based on condition of that fish I’d say it was most definitely a pike, that’s crazy 

21 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Based on condition of that fish I’d say it was most definitely a pike, that’s crazy 

No pike there just chain Pickeral. 

1 hour ago, keagbassr said:

No pike there just chain Pickeral. 

Same diff lol

Where have crawfish nipped you? 

 

And where have you been pricked by bluegills?

 

Thats right ... your hands. 

 

No hands = no problem for bass

On 10/30/2020 at 2:03 PM, PhishLI said:

I've caught a number of bass with tails sticking out of their throats, but never a head.

 

Yup...seen tails sticking out of throats 1000's of times, but never a head. And the same, but in reverse for craws...I have seen claws, and antenna sticking out of throats, but never tails. 

On 10/30/2020 at 2:03 PM, PhishLI said:

I've caught a number of bass with tails sticking out of their throats, but never a head.

 

 

Same!

I've caught bass with crawdads clamped down on the inside of their gill plates. It didn't bother them enough to stop them from feeding. Like others have said, they don't feel pain like we do, at the very least, not in their mouths. Ever hooked a fish and fought it the boat and then let the line go slack? They stop fighting. They're pulling against the pressure and the unknown object pulling them away from where they want to be. As soon as that threat is no longer perceived, they stop struggling and usually just slowly meander away until you start pulling again.

Like many of you I am no scientist either. I have seen bass swallow crawdads headfirst, tailfirst, sideways, from up top, left and right and all other ways.  Besides I don't think they have time in moving or dirty water to sit there, evaluate the situation, formulate a plan and execute a strategic strike.  The quick inhalation is what keeps them from getting pinched, and the muscles in the throat orient the bait quickly for ease of swallow.   Just my 2 cents.  I don't give bass as much credit as most do though. 

Nature is pretty metal, so even if it hurts I don't think the fish care. Dogs eat bees and they don't seem to mind enough to stop eating said bees, and their mouths are softer than a bass.