Never once gone anywhere near a Bass' gills during landing and/ or releasing any! Yes I see too many still do... but I've known since childhood that's wrong if releasing! (Basic fish Biology!). Not only that... Bass have no teeth worth fearing! I can get a lip- grip or if not cradle the fish in shallow water easily enough!
SD, point is simply: verify w/ your Boga all weights of Bass you'd like-- among the ones you're keeping! (You're weighing your Large kept Bass I'm guessing on that Boga?)
Bass to be released: better to be off 1- 4 lbs. or so on the exact weight in your estimate if need be... just let the big girls go as gently & with as great odds of survival as possible! If you're releasing them anyway... & would like a shot at catching that fish again 20 lbs. heavier... that's only logical, right?
"Show me the slips" I know! Yes guys exaggerate their Bass' size I know often!... but that's about their kept Bass-- not released! No one listens to or cares about how big someone else's released fish are-- unless it's a very credible friend! When C & R'ing, you're only looking to impress yourself with your catch-- your toughest critic!
-- no one else!
I know of a boat- guy who landed a Bass obviously close to 60 lbs. last year in NJ... and DIDN'T weigh it/ didn't want to get the exact weight to brag with... BECAUSE his choice was to release it!
