OT Pike killed too easily

I caught two good size pikes (6-8 lbs) while bass fishing this summer.
I was careful taking the hooks out and just took a couple of pictures
before releasing them. Both times the fish swam away but stayed close
to the boat and very close to the surface. Within 10 minutes or so
both fish died. I'm pretty ****ed since I'm strictly catch-and-release
guy. Are pike a lot more sensitive than bass or is it just a little
bad luck on my part?
I would say that the fish were out of the water only 30-45 seconds or
so.
Thanks
ROn