i witnessed it myself this summer fishing with my Bro.Caught a LMB 1/2 inch under the limit.Using a plastic worm texas rig style. the hook came out its gills and hooked deep in the gill cover,and bleeding.My Bro said "Watch this" He cut the line.put the fish in the live well with some catch and release, and when we got back to shore and opened the livewell, the hook was on the bottom of the tank, and the fish was swimming around happy as a pig in poop.He then released it and it took off real fast.He told me it happens all the time.they spit it out and live.he is gonna put a camera in the next time to see how they do it