When do you let them keep the hook???

[freebie]

if I think it's gonna be a tough removal or if it's too deep to reach with long pliers then the fish can keep it, I've heard different opinions on how long it takes for the hook to breakdown, anywhere from a couple day to a couple weeks, notsure if it hurts the fish or not, I also make sure I set the hook earlier, I very seldom gut hook one