question-

[Goose]

If you lip it holding the top lip will it still die?

[stripersnipr]

My guess would be that it is all dependent on how long you actually hold the fih vertical. Quick lip grab, quick unhook and fast release must do less damage than hanging him by the lip while your buddy sets up the camera and takes a shot.

[MakoMike]

I'd say probably not, but at 20 pounds its kind of marginal. Why not just leave it in the water and take out the hook? Then you know you haven't done any damage.

[Pt.JudeJoe]

Take them home and eat them.Then their power from the quickening goes into you .There can be only one.

[tynan19]

Just read a mag article where they caught the fish with hook and line and then placed them in cages in the water. Most of the fish survived for days untill they released them. I will try and find it when I get home. It might have been SWS, anyone else read it.

Eben, I prefer the javelin that way they get a rush of oxygen when they hit the water.

[5 String Bass]

That was a good article about hunting fish. We ARE hunting, no doubt. I do not hunt land dwellers, though. I just don't have the urge to. Bambi is just too cute for me to kill. I'd rather feed a deer than eat it. I don't have anything against it, though. Just not my cup of tea. BTW- I lip any fish I can. I was under the impression that this is the best (most harmless) way to handle them... Haven't caught a 50# though.....(yet)

[fcap60]

Probably Not (from handling)