I've had this situation happen my last two outings. Two weeks ago, I only caught one, about a little over a pound and a half. I was fishing a YUM 5" worm, T-rigged on a 3/0 EWG worm hook with an 1/8th ounce unpegged weight. I don't think I caught the initial strike since the first indication was two good pulls. I didn't do a TV style hookset, just a firm sidearm sweep. I lipped it at the side of the boat. The worm was completely swallowed, and the hook was swallowed halfway up the shank. It took quite a bit of manipulation, but I was able to free the hook with the fish unharmed, and sent it happily on its way.

This Saturday, I hooked two during the mid morning, both a hair over 2 pounds. My setup was exactly the same as the previous time (worm, hook, weight). Same type of sweeping hookset, and I'm pretty certain it was at the first strike. When I lipped this first one at the boat, it was already bleeding profusely! Before I even went for the hook, the blood was dripping on the carpet. It was hooked deeper than the one from the week before. I was able to free the hook without any yanking or tearing, but the little guy was pretty much a goner. I filled the livewell, added Catch and Release, set it on recirculate and set him in.

About 20 minutes later, I hooked into the second one. I am almost positive I set on the initial strike since it happened on the fall. I brought this one to the side, and could already see the blood. I lipped it in and looked in the mouth. This hook was swallowed to the eye! I gave it every effort to no avail, so I finally just cut it off at the eye. I thought about trying to release, but with no immediate sign of life, in the livewell it went while I hoped for the best.

I few minutes later I heard the thrash, and thought for a moment there may be hope, but when I opened the lid, they were both belly up. I'll take the appropriate bashing for having to admit they were delicious, but since I don't really fish for food, but the sport, I would appreciate any advice on why this is happening, and what to do to correct it. Sorry this is so long-winded, especially if the answer is as simple as use a 4/0 or 5/0 hooks for worms. I've thought this may be what I need, and I've already added them to the tacklebox, but if that isn't what I need to do, I'd hate to stick an even bigger hook down their throats.

Thanks for any suggestions, this unnecessary killing of fish is really bothering me.

http://www.orlandobass.com/PDF/Inside_Angles_28-6_F.pdf

http://www.orlandobass.com/PDF/Inside_Angles_28-6_F.pdf

Thanks for that. I had actually read it a few weeks ago. I didn't need to do that on the first two, and tried it (unsuccessfully) on the third. Admittedly, I'm not skilled yet in the technique, and could have done it wrong, but I think the thing bothering me most is that they were already bleeding so bad before being boated. If I can avoid that, I believe I will have more successful releases.

Do your best, its probably just a spot of bad luck.  if they are inhaling them opn the drop - try even bigger baits.  So you don't feel bad, its happened to me, too:

Glad you put yours to good use

I'll ask for the recipe in a PM. I don't want to start one of those threads!

Nothing fancy - works with any panfish: soak in buttermilk overnight, dredge in beaten eggs, then Italian bread crumbs, cook on med-hi heat in olive oil until golden brown.  That's one of three bass I've had to take home over the course of five years.

This question is in the FAQ's (the link is in my signature).

Here's the answer:  http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

Thanks for that link Glenn. Maybe if I read this once a week I'll eventually be able to get it right when it's time to do it for real.

What I had really hoped for with my question was how to best avoid the problem in the first place. Since the last three fish were hooked deep (and on different days), I thought something was wrong with technique. The last two were bleeding by the time they surfaced. The last one I felt and set on the fall, so it's not like I'm giving them time to get it down that far. It just seemed like I was doing something wrong, whether it was hook size, bait size or whatever.

J Francho has suggested bigger baits, so my next outing I'll trade the 3/0 hooks and 5" worms for 4/0 hooks and 8" worms and see what happens. I haven't found my go to colors (bubblegum/lemon) in 8" yet, but I guess it's time to give something else a try.

You may also want to switch to braid to gain greater sensitivity of the bite. If you are worried about abrasion, use a leader from fluorocarbon. I like P-Line CFX leaders.  I use braid on my drop shot/light plastics rig, heavy cover/flipping stick, and my weightless plastics rig.  An improved Allbright knot has been working well for the line to leader connection.  I've also used triple surgeon's and Uni to Uni connections with success.  retie after every two or three fish, though.

Thanks J Francho! With all the other info I did forget to mention the line. Both the bc and spinning reels holding 15# P-line CX. These were all caught on the spinning since when I worm I usually rig weightless  or real light unpegged and I'm just not that good with the bc especially with light tackle.

This happened to me this weekend. i was very worried that I had destroyed the fish's stomach. I threw him in the livewell, content to take him home.

Yet, 5 hours latter, he was thrashing like mad. I let him go.

Thanks J Francho! With all the other info I did forget to mention the line. Both the bc and spinning reels holding 15# P-line CX. These were all caught on the spinning since when I worm I usually rig weightless or real light unpegged and I'm just not that good with the bc especially with light tackle.

Braid works GREAT on spinning reels, too.  I'd say 15# P-line on a spinning reel is a bear to manage. This rod is rigged with 15# PowerPro braid and 6# CFX leader:

Result:

Thanks again! I'm up for trying new things, so I'll respool before too long. The rig in question had the rod separate at the reel seat Saturday, so it is sitting waiting on a new rod. The reel is 16 years old, and I won't replace one of my most battle tested reels. P-line is new to me, but I've always has 12-15# Stren ultra thin on it and loved it. I could lift small trees out of the water and retrieve my snags. The backup spinning reel has generic 8# mono. It will be a good drop shot rig.