I suspect this topic has been raised before and I missed it, but I have read several places where with the larger bass you can dislocate the jaws if they are held by the lower jaw alone. When I look at the pictures of all the hogs proudly displayed in pictures, it sure seems like that information doesn't get passed around much. Maybe one or two out of a dozen will be held with both hands. Is there something we could do here on the site to promote safer handling and pass the word? I hate the thought of one of the trophies you see on here putting up the fight of a lifetime for someone and then getting it's jaw dislocated having it's picture taken.

It has been brought up....

Like this:

Now you're talking! Nice fish! I enjoy the pics way better when I see them like that. Now how do we get the news out to the 8 out of 10 you see holding a 10lb hog by the lower lip alone? Can we get someone on the site to put a tab somewhere for safe/correct handling? At least maybe for the newbies? Might save that hog until I can catch him!

At some point, you'll have to hold the fish by the lower lip alone, to unhook it. I've never caught a bass over 8 lbs, but here's how I do it:

No maxillary/premaxillary damage here:

One tip I learned from my friend Noel Good is to leave a rubber landing net on the front deck. You can lay the fish on that, without too much risk to the fish's slime coat.

Like this:

Can we also add....Please don't lay your bass in the dirt, on the grass, or the carpet on your boat..? 

Is it ok to hook them?

I'm not a member of PETA that I know of. Hook away. I'll be in the next boat over. But why damage a trophy by being careless? Seems just like a smarter way to fish if you can put em back unharmed for another day. My 2 cents.

Is it ok to hook them?

In the back only. You don't want to reuse the hole from your hook in their jaw for the rope.

For the most part, I keep them 100% vertical while holding thier lower jaw. I will occasionally hold them horizontal with my other hand supporting near the anal fin.

The people that claim that holding a large bass VERTICALLY by the lower jaw is damaging are deranged.

I had one not so bright individual on this board call me out for holding my bass that way.

He went on to tell me how he would hold bass of this weight, and bass of that weight horizontally only. I then asked him how he managed to weigh them without hanging them from their lower lip, lol.

Fourbizz, I trust your opinion on this, in the photo above, no chance of harming them, correct?

I mean, I just don't see how one can avoid holding a bass vertically, unless you have a team of fish surgeons.

I do think they look better in pictures held horizontal. My Western New York bass look huge that way, LOL.

Oh, and perhaps the dude was using a weigh bag...who knows.  I use them for big pike.  Post a picture like this on an Esox forum, and you'll be banned on the spot, LOL:

What do they do when you have your thumb and index finger in the eye sockets? Poop on your lawn? ;D

Its interesting that you think they look bigger horizontal. I have vertical and horizontal shots of every big fish I have ever caught. Yet all my favorites and practically every picture I post will be vertical, cause they always look bigger to me.

I take a good deal of big bass information to heart when I hear it from my friend Steve (urbanredneck on br). He is a professional biologist with a masters, whose thesis focused on largemouth, and who regularly sticks giants. He tells me it is as safe for the fish as holding one out of water can get, I believe him.

I would like to reiterate, for the safety of the fish, that when talking about holding one handed, They must be 100% vertical. Any lateral leverage on the jaw can be quite traumatizing for a large bass.

I just re-read and I initially took your question as a rhetorical one pertaining to my avatar picture.

Now I think that you were asking my opinion on the safety of holding them as your pictures show. I agree, that is perfectly safe. As long as you keep a very firm grip on the jaw. I have seen many people hold them that way, then get lax in their grip since the weight is all on their other hand. When the fish squirms, they have a tendency to end up in the bottom of the boat.

Sorry I wasn't clear.  I was honestly asking your opinion, since you've had exposure to much bigger bass than I.  What you say is what I've always thought as well.  I hope so, anyway....I've had quite a few 6+ fish in my hands, and I'd like to think they can get to 7 or bigger. 

It always comes down to compromise...I mean you are grabbing them to remove a hook from their face.

I know you've seen my trout posts, and that's another ballgame.  I've tried to release fish, only to have to run downstream to retrieve the fish, and try again, or simply take it home for the smoker.  That'sfor another post, on another forum, though.

Thanks for you input!

Is there something we could do here on the site to promote safer handling

Yes, link to these pages whenever the opportunity presents itself:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/fish-care-in-the-livewell.html

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-fizz-a-bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/bass-fishing-catch-release.html

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/bass-fishing-hydrogen-peroxide.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/caring_for_bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/handle.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/livewell1b.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/after_the_catch.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/catch_release_bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/reducing_bass_mortality.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/preserving_the_resource.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/handling_summer_bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fish1.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/handling-bass.html

Think I'm a little passionate about the subject? 

Here's a recent discussion that gets into proper "lipping" and holding.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1256262739/0

right hand on the lower lip

left on the back near the anal fin(behind it)

Post a picture like this on an Esox forum, and you'll be banned on the spot, LOL:

Banned, shunned and even lynched in some cases! LOL! That's a BIG no-no on those boards! 

Is it ok to hook them?

Of course not... personally, I enjoy just scooping them with a net.  I find my most productive time of year is during the spawn.  They are easier the catch when their stationary....

Or to ensure they don't feel pain you can just spear them.. :-X

Joking aside, very good points on this thread.  I think the big no no when holding them vertical is angling them slightly.  As long as they are 100% vertical I don't see the problem.

Like this!

Hopefully.....WITH TWO HANDS AND LONG ARMS!!!!!!!

It does scare me when i see people holding a big fish horizontally with just one hand holding the fish by mouth.Almost looks like that jaw bone is going to snap.Not so much vertically as long as you support it right.

Me personally i do the one hand in mouth and the other hand in the back. 

We could all change out user names to PETA. That would get the word out.

That's constructive.