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As fish go...SB is pretty hearty. I don't think there is a lot of evidence to show that picking up a bass by the jaw or gill plate will kill it.
In the FW scene you see guys really crank on the jaw and they have been releasing fish that way for years.
Yes, the SB is larger, but IMO the best way to pull a fish from the water is via its jaw. The fish is pretty rugged. Holding it will not kill it.
Lets look at the FACTS we do know. We know that about 8% total of fish die that are captured and released. How do you think they are captured? Most of the time by the jaw or gill plate. Moreover, out of the 8% that do die, most die from a deep J hook that was poorly removed or infection.
Let me ask you this question...what percentage of the 2 million # SB "by catch" (that doesn't exsist but is know about) on trawlers lives after they get a suntan on the deck then shoveled over the side?
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