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As a biologist who has taught classes in marine biology and finfish aquaculture, including a good amount of finfish anatomy and physiology, I'd have to agree that holding a large striped bass out of water by its jaw probably WILL inflict harm on the fish by damaging its gill arches. Smaller fish, like largemouth and schoolie stripers. Stripers may be tough, and adapted to harsh environments, but they are not adapted to life out of water, being hung vertically by their jaws.
I don't agree with the supposed Aussie findings of 100% mortality, and know for a fact that small bass do survive nicely (tagging recaptures disprove that 100% thing), but I believe that to safely release a large bass, you should hold it horizontally, and ideally not even remove it from the water. Even a few minutes out of water will dry out the gill filaments, damaging them and not allowing diffusion of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and ammonia through their membranes.
I have experience with fish in a scientific setting, and a good knowledge about the way they work. I'm not just spouting random opinions. Take it or leave it.
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