I got to thinking about this and wondered if any of you'll know of any research done that would show the percent of fish released that live or die.
After reading the thread about the Toledo Bend 14.66# bass that died, it would seem to me that during the summer, after reeling those big fish up from the cooler water at the bottom only to bring them up to the top in all of this Texas heat, spend five to ten minutes admiring them, passing them around, and taking pictures, or putting them in a live well full of hot water, a high percentage of them will die. This doesn't include fish that are bleeding from a hook in the gills or veins.
I know that Hybrids are very easily killed after the fight of their lives only to be brought up to the surface during the summer.
I would think that during the winter, a big bass would have a better chance at survival due to slower metabolism, and weather conditions, but I don't really know.

I manage a hunting lease where deer management is very important to all of the hunters. Once you kill a big buck, he is gone forever, but another one takes his place. But with fish (bass) it is hard to tell.
Anyway, just wondered if any of you'll could direct me to some research on the subject.
Thanks in advance.

No data that I know of other than the practice of catch and release nets greater quality of fish over the tournaments using stringers of days past. Greater concern for the fish today than yesterday doesnt stop with catch and release. More and more people are being more careful about the fish's time in the live well by adding great product the VT2 by Newproproducts.com and Kewl Well which is a 12v system for cooling your live well water as low as 70 degrees on Hot Texas days.

Check these items out. Its a better alternative to adding ice to the water.

There have been several studies done on the delayed mortality rate of tournament released fish.
One that I remember was done on Amistad where they took tournament fish and placed them in a cage so the could monitor them..
It was not good - I don't remember the numbers but it was a lot worse than most would think.

All you can do is take the best care of them that you can. Some live, some die.

Also depends on where they are hooked, how long you keep them out, and if you keep fresh water in your livewells. I know you said "not including the ones bleeding" but that plays a big part. Then you have people who don't know proper care, not that they neglect it , but truly don't know it.

I can tell you from personal experience this time of year you cant jack around if you want to give big fish a chance. You have to weigh, take a quick pick and get the fish back in the lake as fast as possible. Don't expect a 14 lb fish to survive 5-10 minutes of picture taking in front of your resort sign in 100 degree weather after riding around in your live well.

Catch, Measure, Photo, and Release should be the #1 rule in bass tournaments instead of risking on killing the fish. IMO

Dang, I didn't know it died. That sucks!

the study fishinfireman spoke of was a fizzing experiment. To see if fizzing thru the mouth was as good as thru the side.

in other studies done, not in the middle of summer I believe the experts say about 20% die.

unlike your hunting where 100% die.

but like your hunting where another one takes it's place it is the same with fish.

This for sure, my first over slot fish @ Fork many moons ago I found floating near the boat ramp where I released it a couple of days after the fact. It was about this time of year and I had taken it to a marina to get it weighed, bad choice....These days if it is big enough a quick pic and weighed on my own scales if it is really good and back in the water. That being said, I have released fish that I literally dropped right back in the water and had them floating belly up next to the boat..........

I regularly fish a 20 acre with tank with a buddy of mine. Its got deep water, over 50 feet in many places.

We have been catching small fish on drop shots in 25 FOW all summer and only seen one floater all summer.

Now we are not placing them in a livewell of course.

Really I think that placing them, big or small, into a livewell in the summer is what really cuts the odds of the making it.

And--- the bigger they are --the more stress it places on them and the harder it is to keep them alive.. I don't think anyone will dispute that.

I cry every time I set the hook, thinking of how it must hurt their mouth.....

Really ?? Never figured you for the sensitive type.

Been reading his posts for years, he has always struck me as being sensitive. Lol.

As to catch and release, catch and keep is 100% mortality. We do the best we can and hope they live.