I've always thought you netted a big Bass "head first", avoiding the tail area as touching the tail will cause it to surge away. That's what I was taught a long time ago by someone I respect.
Today, the subject came up on another forum and a friend of mine said just the opposite. He said the proper way is to approach the Bass form the rear and bring the net up towards the Bass. His 'theory' was that if the Bass saw the net, it would bolt.
I tried two "searches' here because I remember seeing an article on this but I couldn't find it.