How do I make sure a released largemouth survives?

Fight fast and handle wet — exhaustion and slime-coat damage are the silent killers. Remove hooks quickly with pliers; if a fish is hooked deep, cut the line close rather than digging, as studies show deep-hooked fish released with the hook in place survive better than surgery victims. Keep air exposure short — roughly the time you can hold your own breath — and support big fish horizontally instead of hanging them by the jaw. Be extra careful in hot water: above about 27 °C (81 °F), stress compounds fast, so skip livewells and long photo sessions, and revive fish until they kick away on their own.

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