Ive read articles on here that recommend not to swish the fish back and forth in the water.

However i do see alot of tv shows with fishermen that do indeed swish the fish back and forth.

As a final note: which is the correct way to release a fish to help it recover from a fight with an angler?

Proper way to release a fish? Remove hook and toss back in the water as quick as possible.

Teres no swishign of the fish involved?

So is it a myth that the swishing re-oxygenates its gills?

I'm not sure about the swishing thing. I've heard both ways. Like a lot of science, it seems to change every 5 years or so.
When releasing a fish try to handle it as little as possible. Wet your hands before handling the fish. This helps keep you from rubbing "slime" off the fish. The slime protects the fish from disease causing bacteria and reduces friction as the fish swims.
Gently ease the fish back into the water, don't chunk it. Don't crank the fish's jaw open when lippin' it or holding it up for a picture. If it's a heavy fish, hold it horizontal and support the stomach if your posing it for a pic. Get it back into the water as soon as possible. Thanks.

What do you mean by dont crank the jaw open? Do you mean to not hold it by the jaw like those people do at bass tournaments?

I never hold fish horizontally by the jaw because im scared that the heavy fish will snap its own jaw. Initially i thought the reason for holding fish by the jaws was to prevent it from slipping/biting the handler.

I noticed catfish can bite even if you hold them by the jaw so is it harmful to old them by the sides under their pectoral spines? As you probably know theyre really slippery too haha.

I believe he is referring to holding them horizontal by the jaw only.

Oh ok, in that case i dont do that at all.

Now i just need a final consensus on the swishing the fish:

Does it re-oxygenate the fish's gills?

Or

Does the backward flow of water break the fish's gills?

Thanks

I just sit em in the water horizontal till they get enough energy to kick out of my hands. Also always use a net. And if youre fishing saltwater, dont stick your hand in their mouth they all have teeth

Im doing freshwater only.

When you hold them in your hands how do you hold them? By the lip or sides or what?

They get oxygen front of gill to back as water flows past the gill. Pulling one back to you does no good. Better to do a figure 8.

Ya i thought so. Hmm i never thought of the figure eight.

Wuldnt that make them dizzy and disoriented? Unless fish organs behind tympanic membrane.

Ive heard that forcefully moving the fish thru the water can cause it to accidentally swallow too much water. Can anyone verify this?

I hold them right behind the front fins and by the tail, that way thier head isnt supporting all the weight. Complete opposite with hardheads. Ill grab them with pliers and smack em around a little before tossing em back, nasty fish.

Are you referring to hardhead catfish? If so, i was just wondering, w hat do you mean by theyre nasty. Ae they really that vicious and bitey? Haha i cna imagine you spanking catfish

I really only see channel cats so i jiust have to worry about thier 3 spines.

Hardheads have a nasty slime and the 3 spikes, but ya only run into them with bait. Unlike thier freshwater friends they have no good meat.

From TPWD Website:
Bass are sensitive creatures that can be injured more easily than you might think. Tips for handling fish before you put them in your livewell include the following common sense items:

Keep the fish in water as much as possible. Bass can only hold their breathe as long as you can. Wind and other elements can damage their skin, too. Wet your hands before touching the fish so that you don't remove the slime coat that protects the fish from infections and fungus. Don't handle the fish any longer than you have to, and be gentle, don't drop the fish if you can keep from it. Bouncing off the carpet also destroys their protective slime.
Never hold fish through the gills or stick your fingers in their eyes. Lip the fish gently and do not bend back the lower jaw as it can break easily, particularly in larger bass. For larger bass give support to the body under the wrist of the tail so that you are not holding the fish's weight balanced on it's own jawbone.
Do not rip or tear out hooks. Gently remove by backing off the barb or use needle nose pliers. If the fish is deeply hooked just remove the lure portion (lizard or whatever) and cut the line, leaving about 18-inches off the hook and release the fish. The hook will eventually come out. There are ways to remove deeply embedded hooks, but do not do this without having a demonstration beforehand. The barb has to be backed off by applying pressure back against it and on small fish this is tough to do as you can't get both hands in their mouths. Not all hooks deeply embedded can be removed, but don't necessarily kill the fish, however if you see dark colored tissue or entrails coming up through the throat you have gut-hooked the fish and should clean it for dinner. If the fish is not a legal size you will have to cut the line and release it anyway due to state law.
Try to land the fish you catch quickly, don't wear them out by making them fight longer than they have to as this expends so much energy the bass can not recover and has no chance for survival if released.
If you feel you must use a dip net try to purchase one specifically designed for fish. Nets can remove the slime coat and leave the fish open to infection.
Gently release the fish back into the water. Do not throw or toss the fish.
Don't use stringers for fish that will be released. Just as sticking your fingers in the gills is bad for them stringers can destroy their gill filaments. Regardless of where the stringer is placed in the fish, there is no good way to use one, all do damage to lips, gills, etc. How would it feel if someone stuck a stringer in your lungs? However, if fish is bleeding a little from gills because of a hook injury you have not necessarily killed that fish. Hold it in your livewell with Catch & Release treatment in the water for several hours until the bleeding stops. Much like you pricking your finger, a little blood does not signify death in all cases.

And a link for you from the ShareLunker Program:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/sharelunker/handle/