A couple of time this year I have caught bass and they swollowed the hook so deep  that when I set the hook it tore them up inside and when I pulled the fish from the water it was bloody and in some cases I have had to cut the fish to remove the lure.  If it was just a single hook I would just cut the line at the eye of the hook and release the fish.

What am I doing wrong and how can I prevent this from happening and what is the best practice for this situation?

I dont ever want to kill the fish if I can prevent it.

Also, what happens in tournaments when this happens, is the angler not allowed to turn in the fish since it will most likely be dead?

Just trying to learn from the experienced fishermen.

Welcome aboard!  Great question.  Here's your answer:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

FAQ's are a wonderful thing.  

That was an awesome guide, I will never leave a hook inside a fish again.

Thanks!

deep hooksets usually occuur due to you not feeling the bite fast enough. Usually on the inital fall. How do u fix this? PRATICE!! Know your depth! If you know the depth is 10 ft and you see tje lines stopped a 7ft set the hook. Do not have a ton of slack in your line ANYTIME! Watch the line movement!!

As for tournament fishing Catch and release works  to try and save the fish. If you have to take it home and have a sandwich!

The biggest trick for releasing your fish in the safest manner is to simply debarb the hook or just fish with barbless hooks.

The biggest trick for releasing your fish in the safest manner is to simply debarb the hook or just fish with barbless hooks.

Amen

Most bass hooks are not barbless. If they swallow the hook it really doesn't help much as far as damage is concerned if it is. Nobody uses barbless hooks in a tourney situation.

Most bass hooks are not barbless. If they swallow the hook it really doesn't help much as far as damage is concerned if it is. Nobody uses barbless hooks in a tourney situation.

Any bass hook can be filed barbless (it makes a good wintertime project).  I guess I politely beg to differ about the damage done comparing barbed against barbless hooks.   I have no interest in tournament fishing.

It happens to all of us. Especially when senko fishing.