They don't breath much air when we get them out of the water. We shoot them in the head with a .22 so they don't tear up everything in the boat.

BB in SC
I know that they will tear up anything in the boat and hurt you.So will Shark and Cobia.To kill it because of this,yet release a Bass or Cat that does not fight 1/2 as hard pound for pound is beyond me.I use to do it.I do not now.They are just too valuable to me.
Were Bass fishermen truly fishing for sport,they would fish for Bow Fin instead of bass.Everyone who has caught both knows which fights harder.A bass is a wimp beside the same size Bow Fin.Many fishermen are afraid of Bow Fin as they will hurt you.I have heard many say they kill them because they will hurt you and tear up your equipment.They are right.Many have hurt me and tore up much of my gear.I respect their fighting ability.I do not think much of a basses.It is all strictly a matter of opinion and personal likes.
I often see Bass fishermen throw them up on the bank.I love to catch a Bass in sight of them when I see this.I throw it up on the bank.I have only gotten a chance to shoot one bass with my 44 Blackhawk in front of some bass fishermen shooting Bow Fin like you said.It was in the Savannah River.I see you are from SC.Were you one of the bass fishermen that day?I hate it when I do these things because I do not waste.If I can't use the bass for bait or give it away,I have to eat the blame thing!I do not waste or throw any fish back that I think will die if it can be eaten.I have learned the taste of many fish this way.
Wealthy fishermen travel all over the world to catch and release hard fighting fish.We were blessed with such right here at home in the Bow Fin or Mud Fish.
Were it not for country bridges and Mudfish,1/2 of South Carolinas population would never have gotten to fish.Bridges are just bank to bank fishing piers for country folk.
I don't know why,but every time I go over a bridge,I want to hang a pole over the side.Even such as The Cooper River Bridge at Charleston South Carolina or California's Golden Gate.
My favorite bridge of all time was the old long wooden bridge over the Peedee and its sign."CROSS AT YOUR OWN RISK.It would shake,rattle,roll,quiver and sway.You always wondered if you were going in the river with the Mudfish.
I love you Brothers and Sisters.peewee