Today I had the sad experience of killing my first fish upon attempted release. Basically I was fishing a chatterbait and a bass just hammered it and swallowed it... No, literally he swallowed it. Like the hook was in deeper than the lowermost gill, so I couldn't get it even by going through the gill. Is there some secret way to get the hook out in that situation or is it hopeless?? I tried everything and it sucked to lose a fish like that....

Set the hook sooner maybe.

Did you have bass for dinner?

Your name is fitting.

Your bad news is good news to a turtle or buzzard somewhere. Don't beat yourself up. It happens.

It's gonna be Ok. I promise. Just 1 bass. Sounds like with that bulky of a bait, nothing you could do.

It really is ok to take home a bass from time to time if its gut hooked like that.

just cut the line and let it go...hooks and baits will rust out eventually. If the fish is dies while in your possession, like previously mentioned, fish tacos taste great!

Here are few examples of going through the gills to unhook the fish. I have a lot of success with this method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCSx4PuLEnQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmJ2qoAgI1g

If you continue bass fishing for very long there will be many more of those to come. Just do the best you can and don't sweat it.

It happens, like people have said above, what happens when it isnt a legal bass that you kill? I dont think i would try to take that home

Hahahaha I didn't even think of that. But yeah I'm not worried about it but I literally set the hook as soon as he bit I don't know how it happened.

Just eat the bass, problem solved. Very tastey.

Caught one at ray bob a couple of weeks ago. Had a hook in its throat and about a 24" leader with a swivel attached. I went through the gill and pulled it out. He swam off in good shape.

Not with a chatter bait!!!