Landing a fish

[N Florida Mike]

I keep noticing something TV tournament fishermen always do that bugs me.When landing a fish,they always use a net(esp. on bigger fish),or they cane pole it into the boat(mainly with smaller fish)I don't know about y'all but I used to lose fish more often when I did it that way.I can't remember the last time I lost a fish at the boat by lipping it.In fact,I can't remember ever doing it.And they walk around the boat and it just seems like it gives the fish more chance to get off,which it often does on these shows.I remember coming in second in a tournament when we lost the winning 4 pounder because my partner insisted I use the net,which took longer than it would have if he would have just lipped it.While I was trying to get the net into position the bass bonked his head on the boat and got off.

[soflabasser]

I also prefer lipping a bass when landing them and rarely use a net.

[N Florida Mike]

I don't even carry a net because it gets in the way and a reel always gets tangled up in it!

[Scott F]

Using a net properly and having it ready, not all tangled up in other fishing gear, can work pretty well. If the Elite anglers thought a net increased the chance on loosing a fish, they'd never pick it up. I use light line and the front of my boat is higher off the water than most bass boats so I use a net from the front. I'm not as worried about loosing a fish as I am loosing  $15 jerkbaits in case my line breaks. Also, when a bass has a face full of treble hooks, sticking your thumb in his mouth may not be the wisest move.

[buzzed bait]

they don't allow nets in bassmaster nor MLF and that's why you see most of them boat flipping.  I don't fish tournaments, but if i did, i would have a hard time with the net deal.  if for whatever reason the guy holding the net messes it up, i would want to have no hard feelings towards them or vice versa and would not want it to effect the fishing that day....

i actually was thinking about this last night while watching some of the FLWs i had on the DVR.

and i like to lip them too, but i also carry a net.  and if i'm fishing trebles i'm a little apprehensive on sticking my fingers in there while they're all squirrelly!  GET THE NET!

[A-Jay]

While not a tournament angler, I still only swing dinks and even that is only on single hook baits.

Treble hooks in the hand are not something I enjoy so net use is common practice for me, especially at night.

Also when certain TV anglers swing a 3 or 4 lb bass into the boat and unceremoniously allow it to flip & flop from the seat to the deck and then bounce all over - seems seriously disrespectful and I'm thinking "Thunder Punch to the Neck" time.

But that's just me.

A-Jay

 

 

[Choporoz]

Since I got Fishgrips, I haven't lost a fish at the boat (or kayak). Nor have I had any more trebles buried in my hands.

[N Florida Mike]

Good points.I rarely use anything with trebles so that wasn't something I thought about.I do swing smaller fish but not desperately like they do. Mine is more of a lift than a swing,and I catch the line as its coming by.I lip all bigger fish.

[Catt]

There was a time when you wasn't considered an angler if you couldn't handle a net as good as a rod!

[Klebs01]

We need a net up here with all the toothy critters.  No way I'm going to try to lip a northern or musky. I'll use it for bass too if it's out. 

[N Florida Mike]

Not opposed to them.I use them when we saltwater fish.Redfish, sheepshead,black drum,flounder,etc.Just not when I bass fish.

[Bluebasser86]

Anything 4 pounds or under, I'm swinging them. I've lost way more fish trying to grab them by the boat than I ever have boat flipping. Plus, trying to lip one from the front deck of a bass boat is a good way to end up going swimming. 

[long island basser]

I don't bring the net, I did once and didn't even bother to use it.

It sits in my garage for I don't know how many years now.

I don't flip any in the boat ether, dinks I'll just lift and grab.

My boats are small and sit close to the water, so while sitting in my seat I just reach over and lip most of them.

If it gets a little narly with trebles I grab one of the trebles with my pliers to help control the bass and then lip them.

This is all recreational, relaxing fishing, I don't fish tournaments.

[Bankbeater]

I haven't used a net in years.  If I can't lip the fish I have a grip that I can use.  If the fish is small I will swing them into the boat. 

[lecisnith]

One more good point about a net, considering the majority of bass fishermen are catch-and-release, scooping a fish with a net can decrease the length of the fight and, therefore, the stress on the fish.  I like healthy fish.  I use a net on anything over 1-2 pounds.

[Logan S]

FLW is the only major tour to still allow nets, BASS hasn't allowed them for quite some time now.  

There's no question to me that using a net has resulted in landing many fish that would have otherwise been lost.  I've had many cases where an important tournament fish comes unbuttoned while in the net.  Without the net most of those fish would have almost certainly been lost.  Like Catt said, you need to be as good with the net as you are with your rods/reels...And make sure your co-angler (or boater I suppose) knows what to do as well.  I only have my co-anglers net fish if I know they can handle it, if they can't or I'm unsure I'll just do it myself.  

I don't net every fish, with heavier tackle I boat flip a lot of fish.  Most smaller fish (15" or less) get flipped too regardless of technique/tackle, unless they happen to be important in one way or another.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I've netted 13 inchers in tough tournaments before .

I don't ever have the net out on fun or practice days since it can get in the way.  The funny thing is that I actually hate having it out, I always joke that I wish my club would prohibit them like BASS does so I could stop carrying it in the boat.  

[N Florida Mike]

I guess it depends on the situation.I lip everything over 3 and pull up the others to where I can grab them.If I had a raised platform boat or used treble hook baits much I might change.I fish in a Jon boat primarily and the net gets in the way and always seems to attract baited hooks.And I don't have any trouble at the boat lipping them.If I lose a fish its usually on the set.

[ethan-333]

we use a nett for anything over about 3 poinds. lays in the middle over the console. everytime we hook a fish the other guy reels in immediately and picks up the net. i dont think weve lost a fish at the boat the last 2 or 3 years when netting.

i could probably just lip them and be fine also. but were pretty quick at netting. other guy says when hes coming up. get the net by the water and dont jab at it