Netting Your Bass

[A-Jay]

Over a decade later and the debate continues . . . . .

 

 

 

 

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

What debate? Net - always, even the 1.3# I got Thursday was netted.

[Smokinal]

On a baitcaster I swing anything ~3 and under; over ~3 and I typically lip it.

Spinning rod...anything ~2 and under is airborn and over ~2 is lipped.

If it's a real good one I'll net it or my partner will.

It we do net, it's never a "stab"; I've knocked a good fish off my buddy before...not a good feeling. We both will put the net in the water while holding the "bag" until we feel the other can guide the head in.

[Darth-Baiter]

net already in the water,  then fish comes to the net.  I dont want no troubles.

[pdxfisher]

In my kayak I net pretty much every treble hooked fish. Before that I buried hooks in my hand with a flopping fish still attached on two occasions. I decided that was enough for me

 

I would say the say that the way in which I net the fish depends on how the fish is acting. If it is flailing and thrashing on the surface I will sometimes make a stab with the net. My normal is to slowly move the fish and net towards each other. I don't think there is one way that is right in every situation. 

 

[Zcoker]

It’s all related to the situation, in the water or out of water, no set rule. Things can change suddenly which may require a different approach. Another factor is having the correct net. I’ve seen some makeshift stuff out there in the net department! 

[gim]

Fishing alone changes things.  If there is someone with me and one of us has a decent fish (2+ pounds) on, the other person nets it.  An extra pair of hands makes it much easier.

 

If I am alone, I will swing in the dinks.  Just really need to careful with those treble hooked lures.  A small bass (or pike, which are worse) that wiggles or shakes with a mouthful of trebles is a recipe for disaster.  Otherwise I reach down and lip them.

 

The real challenge occurs when I'm muskie fishing solo and hook into a sizable esox.  Netting a decent sized pike or muskie is difficult, as the hoop is big, the bag is deep, and the handle is long.  I have a Lindy Snag-proof glove that I sometimes use, if I remember to.

[PourMyOwn]

When there's treble hooks involved, I net them all, then grab them with knockoff boga grips. I've had a fistful of gamakatsus and it's no picnic. 

[the reel ess]

41 minutes ago, PourMyOwn said:

When there's treble hooks involved, I net them all, then grab them with knockoff boga grips. I've had a fistful of gamakatsus and it's no picnic. 

I'm with you unless it's a dink. But when I catch one on a good flipping hook or a jig, I'm bringing that one right to the hand. I'm in a kayak though and that's a whole lot easier when your hand is at water level. I bought a large Frabill trout net to get one big enough for bass, but with a shorter handle.

[Bird]

Net most everything with trebles.....sometimes not.

[Phelptwan]

I've always been a quick stab type, but I changed it up when my co-angler bonked a bass on the head during a tournament and lost us a 4lb fish.  We were all of a lb off from money as well with 4 fish.

[Swamp Girl]

My net is big and heavy and I fish solo, so I've got the fighting bass in one hand, weeds everywhere, and the net in the other. I feel lucky every, SINGLE time I get a big bass in the net. Many times, a five-pound bass comes aboard with five pounds of weeds. 

[TOXIC]

Also depends on the species.  Smallmouth act different from largemouth.  After a fairly short fight, a largemouth will many times lay over and be a fairly easy net.  Smallmouth fight the entire time.  And so it begs the question….Do you risk losing more fish from playing them too long allowing them to enlarge the hook hole or throwing the bait or bringing them to the net green and risk you or your net man messing up with the net? 

[LonnieP]

Never used a net and probably never will. I don’t see the need for it 

[Crow Horse]

I fish from a kayak (sit in) and always use a floating net (with rubberized netting). I'll use a fish grip to secure the fish and unhook it while it's in the water. It will only leave the water when unhooked and lifted out so the cameras can catch it then it's back in the water and it's released. I try to minimize injury or stress to the fish.

 

When netting, I lead the fish into the net.