First, posting this on the internet literally communicates to others that the rules don't matter, that they can simply excuse the action because the fish is bleeding. You just gave them an excuse to also be a poacher. And yes, you did admit to being a poacher.
Next, a fish that is bleeding does not mean that it will die. This has been proven, time and time again. So your ultimate argument is moot.
If the fish does die, which they will do regardless of how careful we are, the fish is not wasted by being returned to the water. All sorts of critters that are ultimately beneficial to the environment will gladly make a meal out of it.
You literally have no idea where that fish is heading. You claim that it is an "unclipped" fish, but you don't know that, you just suspect that it is. It could also be from a truly depleted stock of fish that is just holding on. Not cool man.
Oh, and I already mentioned this, but it also makes you a poacher. You ok with that label?
sure i could have released that bleeding coho and maybe it could have avoided that 'cute' beady eyed 800# sea lion following along looking for an easy meal. better in my mind to harvest a fish not knowing if it would survive. call me a conservationist, poacher does not stick in this case. and since i am not into 'research' so see if the fish would belly up, the sea lion would have an easy meal or it would survive, i choose instead to have several great dinners. would i repeat?? sure thing, any bleeding fish in my mind, does not stand a great chance of survival.