I don't think fish have the same depth of feeling as a mammal, but the few times I've been fishing it does make me cringe a little seeing what you say about the hook being in the animals mouth and being pulled to the shore/boat by it. That said, if I was a big fan of fish as food, I might take more time fishing, but it's not really my thing. I like an occasional salmon filet from the supermarket but I'm not a big fish eater. Red meat for me.
This is why I choose to hunt deer when I get the itch. I like to use my crossbow because I learned to hunt from my father who always liked to do it at close range. I also wasn't legally allowed to hunt with a gun when I started at 12, so that's the style I have stuck with even when using a shotgun or rifle. As if I've got a bow. I've never had to take a shot longer than 30-40 yards as a result. With how good the newest expanding broadheads are now, I think the crossbow may actually be an even more humane way to take a deer. I shot a mature doe season before last and she didn't make it 30 yards. The meat is delicious this way too because they bleed out very quickly.
I knew someone would say this, I've heard it in the past also.
I'm more of a hunter than a fisherman, and clearly like to do so in a humane fashion; it's for the animal, but also for my own peace of mind I guess. I've not done much with my crossbow (hunting I mean) although have done some bow hunting in the past which I enjoyed. It's a good skill to have I think. I know the technology of arrowheads has moved forward though and that it's a lot more humane now than it was back in the day.