Gut hooked bass survival ??????

[jonkell]

Larry, I fish texas rigged worms mostly. I feel horrible when a bass takes a hook in the gullet. I use wide gap hooks and try to set the hook quickly but sometimes they swallow it. What can I do to prevent this ??? and what happens when I cut my line and leave the hook?? Will she die??? It makes me feel terrible. Thanks, John

[dahlberg]

HI J,
Thats a good question. Some number of studies have been done and most indicate you're doing the right thing. The fishes survival depends a great deal upon exactly where they were hooked, but if you're using regular bronzed hooks there's a fair chance the fish will eventually get rid of it.
My suggestion is to use hooks with as small a barb as you can and often, using a tool like a tinker toy stick, you can harmlessly extract a hook that's not too far down, as is usually the case with soft plastics.
Live bait is another matter, but throat hooking problems associated with it can be remedied by using circle hooks.
Thanks for the post, and for having a genuine concern for the fish you release!
best,
L