Chuck your intentions are honorable but in reality you can't wait or give em enough time in all situations. A fish and take a bait in and exhale it back out so quickly that you wont even feel it in some cases. Ever seen the videos of crankbaits that were chuggin along and a nice fish inhales them and just as quickly exhales them. The person reeling the bait didn't even know it. They have LIGHTNING quick reflexes.

Also, and I've heard Bill Dance tell this too many crowds, "They aint got hands"!!! That meaning what do you think they are playing with the bait with? Whenever you feel a fish SLAM HOME THE STEEL. No sense in playing with him, more than likely you will only tip him off that something is up and he will drop the bait and be gone!

There's new evidence that suggest leaving the hooks in do as much harm as cutting them out! Makes sense, in saltwater sure it would rust away quickly but todays super hooks will not rust out in freshwater anytime soon. All you are likely to do is kill the fish by starvation. The best way is to take a true pair of cable cutters, the kind that cut right on the end so you can cut exactly where you need to. Cut the hook in as many pieces as you need to get it out. Typically all you have to do is remove the barb and either push the hook all the way through or pull it back through.

Good luck,
RA