The reason I throw bass back is so they can get bigger and someone else can catch them later. Concerning whether or not it works is pretty simple. If the fish swims away, it worked. If the fish dies, it doesn't work.

I'm not strictly catch and release with bass. I have definitely eaten my fair share. That being said, I usually only eat smaller ones and from lakes where I believe has a very large population of small fish. Elmer Davis, for example, has a slot limit from 12" to 15". Anything between has to be released. Outside of that range can be kept. We keep our share of fish under 12" from time to time because we know that there are tons of fish in that size class that need to be thinned out.