Net storage while fishing?

[@reelChris]

Where do you put your landing net while you're fishing?  I've tried laying it on the bow deck but I couldn't get to it when I needed it.  I've tried laying it sideways in the cockpit area with the handle on the casting deck, but it always falls over and becomes a hazard.  My most recent brainstorm was to mount a vertical rod holder to the fill the dead space in front of my  console so the net was reachable from the bow or stern.  Before drilling holes in the boat, I tried this hack:

 

 

The cooler fits in front of the console, and the net stayed nicely in the holder.  However, while the vertical mounting kept the net out of the way when I was moving around, it really got in the way of casting. So, thank you duct tape, you said me from unnecessary drilling.  And, I am officially out of ideas on net placement.  Am I missing something, or is every place on a boat terrible for storing a net?

[jbsoonerfan]

  On 8/10/2020 at 12:24 AM, @reelChris said:

I've tried laying it on the bow desk but I couldn't get to it when I needed it.

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Why couldn't you get to it? I have found that to be the easiest spot to get it from

[looking45]

Not sure what type of boat you have, but in my Ranger, I put the net in the driver's seat and the handle leans forward against the steering wheel. Out of the way when casting, but easy accessible from both the front and back 

[gim]

Are you fishing solo or with someone else most of the time? Obviously if you’re with someone else, just have them net the fish. If you’re solo mission, I usually lay mine down in the **** pit with the handle facing the front deck. It lays fine there and it’s easy to grab by myself.

 

if you thought a bass net was in the way, try bringing a muskie net. It takes up most of the back deck. ?

[@reelChris]

  On 8/10/2020 at 12:28 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

Why couldn't you get to it? I have found that to be the easiest spot to get it from

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I usually fish alone.  By the time I get a fish to the boat, I can't reach a stern net from the bow and I don't want to run to the stern to grab it because I'm tangle prone.  I'd like it within arms reach, which is why I tried to put it in front of the console, but the steering wheel idea might be a decent compromise.  

[jbsoonerfan]

  On 8/10/2020 at 2:15 AM, @reelChris said:

I usually fish alone.  By the time I get a fish to the boat, I can't reach a stern net from the bow and I don't want to run to the stern to grab it because I'm tangle prone.  I'd like it within arms reach, which is why I tried to put it in front of the console, but the steering wheel idea might be a decent compromise.  

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Sorry, I guess I don't understand. Do you not fish from the front deck? I fish solo 95% of the time. My net just lays on the front deck. When I need the net I just bend down and grab it. 

[@reelChris]

If I laid it on the front deck I'd have to stand on it while fishing

[gim]

  On 8/10/2020 at 12:39 PM, @reelChris said:

If I laid it on the front deck I'd have to stand on it while fishing

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Ya I see what you're saying there.  I prefer not to stand on it myself.  Try putting the hoop/net portion down in the bottom and then leaning the handle towards the front deck.  That's what I do, and I can reach it pretty easily while I'm fishing.

[jbsoonerfan]

  On 8/10/2020 at 12:39 PM, @reelChris said:

If I laid it on the front deck I'd have to stand on it while fishing

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What kind of boat do you have? I have a Triton tr186 which doesn't have a very large front deck and I usually have at least 3 rods on the deck and the net. How much room do you need to fish?

[Way2slow]

Don’t keep one in the boat

 

I guess I should clarify, I only bass fish so they don't have the potential to poke holes and remove large amounts of skin if you try lipping them like some species do.

[jbsoonerfan]

  On 8/10/2020 at 5:04 PM, Way2slow said:

Don’t keep one in the boat

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I am close to that. The last few "big fish" 6+ I didn't use the net and practiced lipping them. 

[Herbert Lorenzo]

I got lucky and found a hole between my bench seat and sidewall that stands my net upright behind my pedestal seat . Net comes in handy , avoids getting a lure embedded  in hand when trying to lip bass . That would be a disaster. 

[Spankey]

I’m generally fishing alone. I really don’t bring that along. I should just keep it on deck but don’t. I suppose it would be more of a necessity to me if I had higher gunnels. 
 

I bought a nice Frabill net the other year when my grandsons started taking fishing more serious. It’s always on board when fishing with them. They love using it. Fits down in the console area pretty decent with the handle laying back. Much like “looking45” does in his post. 

[RoLo]

 

We stash the hoop in the slot formed between the seat and gunwale,

which holds the hoop edgewise and out of the way, but exposes the handle for a quick grab.

 

Roger

[WRB]

  On 8/10/2020 at 4:16 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

What kind of boat do you have? I have a Triton tr186 which doesn't have a very large front deck and I usually have at least 3 rods on the deck and the net. How much room do you need to fish?

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I just sold my TR-175, a 1' shorter then your boat. I only use a net when using crank baits or treble hook lures. I kept my Fraybill 9522 20" net in the rear battery storage compartment and got it out when using treble hook lures laying it on the rear deck splash well area out of my way. When fighting a bass and needing the net it's very easy to move to the rear deck, pick up the net to land the bass. I usually land big bass from the rear deck or passenger seat area because it's closer to the water makes it easier.

Tom

PS, rear deck splash well retains the net, keeps any slim off the carpet and easy for a partner to pick up.

[OnthePotomac]

I carted a net out on the Potomac for 12 years and never used it, so now it hangs on the wall.   I dealt with bass, cats perch and snake heads, but never needed the net.

[jbsoonerfan]

I thought about this thread today while I was fishing so I stepped back and took a pic. Three set-ups, foot pedal, cup/tool holder, power pole buttons and net. Still plenty of room to fish. 

[Teal]

Mine stays in the right storage opposite of my rods... in the event I think I need it, it's as simple as dropping to one knee open it and get it out while I'm keeping pressure on the. Fish.   Only takes a second, once I get it out, I leave it out until I turn big motor on.  I do tend to get it out sometimes ahead of time if my son is with me....he.is my net man

[A-Jay]

I set my front deck up the same way every trip.

Rods always on starboard side.

Tools in the caddy up at the bow.

The net, boga grip & landing mat on the port side right next to the console.

I like to land my fish right there if I can.

Having the net 'at the ready' is helpful when 

a fatty hits right at the boat . . . .

A-Jay

[gim]

  On 8/12/2020 at 11:31 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

Still plenty of room to fish.

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Its obvious that you have a big deck in your boat and thus there is plenty of room.  Not everyone has such a large front deck though.  I don't know how big of a boat or front deck the OP has but I have to imagine if his was like yours, he wouldn't have even started this thread.

[jbsoonerfan]

  On 8/14/2020 at 4:57 PM, gimruis said:

Its obvious that you have a big deck in your boat and thus there is plenty of room.  Not everyone has such a large front deck though.  I don't know how big of a boat or front deck the OP has but I have to imagine if his was like yours, he wouldn't have even started this thread.

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I know, that issue was already addressed with no answer by the OP. It's hard to suggest a solution when you don't have any idea what kind of boat we are dealing with. Could be a 10' jon boat or a 20' Ranger. 

[@reelChris]

So, two things.  First - I'm working out of a 17' tracker, so not the biggest decks in the world.  Also, I just noticed I wrote in the initial post that I couldn't get to the net on the bow, but I meant the stern.  Sorry, airhead moment.  

 

Anyway, today I tried out AJ's method of rod's mostly on one side of the bow and the net on the other.  It didn't really get in the way despite the limited deck width and was obviously much more accessible than putting it in the stern.  I meant to try putting it on the driver's seat against the steering wheel as well but ended up getting off the water to avoid a storm and never got to it.    

[jbsoonerfan]

You could square dance up there. LOL