Posted by Mark G on 2002 PM:
To Net or not to Net
I started fishing again
last summer and have not used a net since I was a kid. I stopped using nets
because I heard it removes slime coat from fish, which they need to repel
parasites. I know a little something about fish biology, and this is definitely
true.
However, I've recently had a couple situations where I think using a net would
have been better for me and the fish. One such situation was at Kensico
recently. I hooked a Pickeral (I thin, it may have been a Northern) and lost it
at the shore when my line snapped right at the lure. I hooked it on a Rapala
Countdown, and the fish was definitely hooked on both set of trebles.
I tried to grab the fish, but was not successful. I fear the lure will be
difficult to spit, and this Pick might not make it. If I had a net handy, I
would have been able to net it and it get the fish free. I think the answer is
to bring a net, but not use it unless it is necessary. What do you folks think?
Posted by bobn on 2002 PM:
i understand there are nets now made with new materials that are easier on the fish than the old styles--you may want to consider looking into one of these-when a fish is in the net, it is caught-unlike one that slips out of your hand and winds up beating itself on the rocks and ground or the bottom of the boat--i guess it's a matter of choice--bobn
Posted by Pete L on 2002 PM:
Net -- BAD!!!!!!!
Mark - you are right , there are times it wpould be better to net the fish -
BUT - any time i bring a net i have no reason to use it.
May sound stupid, but for me its a jinx !!!!!Pete
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Posted by Mark G on 2002 PM:
I'll check out those
nets, Bob. LOL, Pete. I hope you're wrong. I'm also looking into Lip Grip tools
and John G's glove. Where'd you get that glove, John?
Anyway, I'm still upset at that Pick getting away with two set of trebels in
his mouth. What a nasty thing to have happen.
Posted by DR on 2002 PM:
Net
Like you, I stopped using
a net YEARS ago. But, after having some similiar problems like you
described.....I ...for the last year or more, have put a net in the boat and
now, it's a VERY improtant TOOL for me. Saves the fish, and my paws...win/win.
DR
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Posted by JOHN G on 2002 AM:
Mark, the glove is sold by Cabelas, and I love it so far, it will grab that pickerel by the back very well, and you can lip him if you want....the problem with Pickerel breaking off right at the boat is that unfortunately they often take the lure with them which is bad for both parties....now, in such a scenario, I believe the net is a more merciful alternative, so I don't see why you shouldnt bring a net in that case....shorewalking is clumsy of cause to begin with having to carry any thing extra, but it can surely be put on a boat with no problems...... JOHN G
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Posted by FISHIN' GYPSY on 2002 AM:
I ALWAYS carry a net...
One of the newer materials that are easier on the fish. BUT... I only use it when
necessary... LARGE fish... Fish with LOTS of treble hooks in the mouth... Large
fish on light line... etc, etc. I let the situation and fish decide whether to
use it or not. Better to land a fish with a net, in a border-line situation,
than to have a fish swimming around with a lure in it's mouth. IMHO
I also have a "Boga Grip"... A type of "lip gripper"... And
I swear by it. Comes in handy for toothy critters also.
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Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:
I use a net with rubber webbing. It is easy on the fish & stuck hooks come right out of it.
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Posted by Scott C on 2002 AM:
quote:
Anyway, I'm still upset at that Pick getting away with two set of trebels in his mouth. What a nasty thing to have happen.
Mark, I feel the same way. I had a Pick swallow a plug last week and had the
fish boated and carefully tried to remove the trebels from his throat. I was
trying to be patient and do the best thing to get the fish back in the water
unharmed. The fish wriggled from my grip and fell back into the water cutting
the line in the process. I thought about that for a long time (still do) and
wonder what I can do differently to avoid this. I dont think a net is the best
option. From a recent post on this subject it seems that the "glove"
may be the way to go. Long needle nose pliers and crimped barbs on your trebels.
This way if one does happen to cut off with your plug there is a better chance
it can be spit.
I also turn them belly up when I am unhooking them. It seems to disorient them
slightly and the stay a little calmer.
I would like to explore more on this subject. Does anyone use cradles ? Are
these more fish friendly ? And can they be used with one hand ??
Posted by Seth V on 2002 AM:
I am all for nets...
This is a hot topic
recently, check out bassfan.com and look under a recent article in which Ray
Scott stated that he hates nets and wants to go back to the old BASS way of doing
things. The only reason BASS lets you use a net now is because FLW lets the
anglers and BASS had to give in.
I think fishing without a net is much harder on fish. When the fish is small,
it makes no difference, I just swing the fish in and he never touches the deck
or a net. On larger fish, you have 2 options without a net. First, you can play
the fish until he is dead tired and you can lip him. This is bad because it
stresses the fish more than nessary, and you run the risk of loosing the fish.
The other option with big fish is swinging them in. You are forced to go to
heavy line and horse the fish as fast as you can. You then use momentum to
swing the fish up into the boat. Occasionally the fish will bounce off of the
console, and because I did not give the fish much of a chance to fight, he goes
nuts on the carpet...that can't be good for slime coat.
My old BASS club had the no-net rule when BASS had it due to Federation rules,
and I can tell you it was not as good on the fish, or fisherman. I don't like
trying to grab an angry smallie with multiple trebles in rough water...not fun,
so then you have to use the "swing" method. Ever try swinging fish on
a crankbait? Many fish would pull off.
As for pike, I would be more upset they got my lure, those things are like
freaking weeds with teeth!
Posted by bink on 2002 AM:
I only use a net in a tourny and usually stop using it after my limit if it's a big fish then i use a net.If you have ever stood on the deck of a boat with dark carpet with your shoes off you will know that letting a fish flop around on it is cruel,those decks get really hot. If you watch the events where the Pros swing fish into the boat you will see fish flopping around the carpet and down by the console and that cant be good either. I say use a net if you want just be quick and get the fish out ASAP.
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Posted by ADKBass on 2002 AM:
I'll go with the Fishin'Gypsy
on this one. I only use a net on large fish that I know are going to be a problem
(for it and I) when landed. Of course it depends on your situation at the time
that will dictate your decision.
Also, I'll fish for pike (when not at a big bass lake) and for some of those
big toothy critters -- a net will make your trip more enjoyable!
Gypsy -- what is a "Lip Gripper"?
Seth V wrote ""As for pike, I would be more upset they got my lure,
those things are like freaking weeds with teeth!""
LMAO
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Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 PM:
Nets for tournaments only
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Posted by Mark G on 2002 PM:
Well, I picked up a net
today, but will only use it for large fish that are unruly or toothy critters.
I looked at the new Lip Grippers, and decided not to spend the money. I feel
like I'd lose just as many fish trying to lip grip them as trying to gill them.
I was at Cabelas (see post on Mudbugs) and didn't see the Glove, but I'll look
again.
The net I got is supposed to be fish friendly, and it is small enough (trout
size, I believe) to carry around as I stroll the banks. Hell what is one net
when I'm already carrying 4 rods and a tackle box?
Thanks for the tips, everyone!
Mark
Posted by wnybassman on 2002 PM:
I have a large rubber net
that lies on the floor of my boat ALL the time. I will net nearly all fish in a
tournament situation, and most fish over 3 pounds or so when just out fishing.
This day and age, I can't understand why someone would use a very deep cheap
nylon net with a relatively small hoop. Get a bass of any size in it, it shakes
once, and you are spending the next ten minutes getting your hooks out of the
mesh. I gaurantee once you go to a rubber net, you will want nothing else!! Rob
J and I just had this conversation last week, sure the net is rather pricey at
35-40 dollars, but I have had mine over 6 years now. So that's about 7 bucks a
year, and breaking it down even further, about 14 cents for every trip on the lake.
My net owes me NOTHING!!
Of coarse, shore angling is different, these are heavy nets, but they do make
smaller ones, and I guess folding ones now to.
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