I would say that fish has already thrown that hook. I have read many studies done on this. One was a state biologist who tried several bass hooked cleanly in the mouth area, no vitals or deep hooked fish, he had them in a huge clear tank. In less than 2 days, all fish had disloged the hooks and seemed unharmed. I do not remember where I read this, but I believe it was in Bassmaster magazine several years ago.

This same situation has happened to most bass anglers, I just figure that things will work out the way they were intended. If you land it, and it is mortally wounded, take it home and eat it, or remove the hook and release it and something in nature will consume it.

It sucks, but it is an unfortunate possibility in our great sport. I like to believe that most anglers do their best to do a quick catch and release to preserve the sport. 

13 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

I know, huh?! There are sessions where I only land 50% of the bass that hit. 

 

Well when I say I land 9/10 fish. That's 9/10 that get hooked up.

 

So 1/10 after getting hooked up will throw it.

 

I don't land 9/10 that "hit" it.

 

However, most don't just hit it, they slam it.

 

Ask anyone that fishes a swim jig a lot and they would probably agree.

37 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Well when I say I land 9/10 fish. That's 9/10 that get hooked up.

 

So 1/10 after getting hooked up will throw it.

 

I don't land 9/10 that "hit" it.

 

However, most don't just hit it, they slam it.

 

Ask anyone that fishes a swim jig a lot and they would probably agree.

 

Again, I often lose half the fish that I hook. They'll only be hooked for two or three seconds and bust free.

1 hour ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

Again, I often lose half the fish that I hook. They'll only be hooked for two or three seconds and bust free.

 

Oh dang that would be frustrating! Try a swim jig.

 

You obviously hook A LOT then because I've seen all your pictures! 

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Try a swim jig.

 

I use an underspin, which is similar. 

 

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

You obviously hook A LOT then because I've seen all your pictures! 

 

Yeah, I land some too. Miss a few, catch a few!

Hard to say. My buddy re-caught a bass one month after breaking off a jig in its mouth. This fish was well fed, healthy, with no apparent infection, and he got his jig back with a unique JDM trailer.

 

One thing you can be sure of is this: If you accidentally kill a fish after breaking off or releasing it bleeding, it's going to be consumed quickly. At least twice after releasing badly tongue hooked fish who clearly weren't going to make it, I've watched snapping turtles seemingly come out of nowhere to T-bone them and take them away. Quite remarkable. I imagine catfish and other bottom dwellers making quick work of them too.

 

Note: We're not allowed to remove black bass from most waters on this island for any reason, so they go back from whence they came no matter what.

6 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

My buddy re-caught a bass one month after breaking off a jig in its mouth. This fish was well fed, healthy, with no apparent infection, and he got his jig back with a unique JDM trailer.

 

I have a gut feeling it's still in her mouth and will survive.

 

One hell of a story if I get my hands on her again.