Tony, that was mighty kind of you to do the right thing for that fish.
The big gut may also indicate it was the swim bladder distended from being hauled up from the depths too rapidly in the warmer waters that we have now, I hope that is not the case but I had that happen to me ealier in the year
Anyway, you're correct a clear conscience is much better to have than some prize. I bet that fish is ready to be caught again by now
