I've had federal biologists fishing in my boat and asked that very question
& their reply is that if a fish is bleeding it will die of anemia within a
week to ten days of being released. Not all , but most will die. I use
lures that the fish cannot swallow. cranks & spinners are very easy on the
fish. Plastics are the worst for the fish in the hande of novices.Charlie

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Penobscot River Guide Service
Charles E. Bowe
89 Bog Road
Troy, ME 04987
(207) 948-2116
www.penobscotriverguideservice.com

lodging available at:
36 Mohawk Rd.
West Enfield, ME

"James Luning" wrote in message
...
Just a question.
Tonight I hooked a 5lb'er. The hook penetrated that area behind the tongue
and removal was impossible. Over the years, when this happens, I've
always cut the line and let the fish go with the hook in.

Tonight I tried something different. I cut the line and pulled the hook
out by pulling the shank out. The hook was a 3/0 offset. So the bend in
the top of the hook caused some resistance.
There appeared to be no damage, but there was a fair amount of blood.

What are the chances of the bass surviving? Just an opinion, of course.

Thanks