As far as the "how" that is something you added. What I said is you can't hurt a pond with a hook. A net would be a different thing.
Like you, I have a hard time taking a big fish out of the pond. I use to have no problem and would mount MANY of them. Now it's what I call a "picture fish" and throw it back ASAP.
If I'm fishing with a friend that wants a mess of fish I have no problem with them taking all they want except any bass over 5 pounds. Those get photographed and released.