Landing nets

[Susky River Rat]

I was wondering how many of you use landing nets? Love em? Hate em? What size?  I am thinking about getting one for heavier fish so I do not have to get down reach for them etc. 

 

ps sorry if this is the wrong section. I didn’t feel it fell under tackle, rods/reels or boats.

[ike8120]

I use one when bank fishing.

[FrnkNsteen]

I always have one in the boat. I may not use them for small fish under 12 inches, but anything of any size usually gets netted.

 

Its better for the fish than flipping them into the bottom of your boat (I hate that) and if for no other reason, it at least protects rods from high sticking and keeps hooks under control better so nobody gets stuck.

 

Lifted a small northern by the line one time and the dang thing flipped while lifting it causing it to come loose. When it did, the line stretched then sling-shot the lure right into my arm embedding the treble in my forearm so deep I had to push it through then cut off the barb.

 

I use a net most of the time now! ?  I prefer the solid rubber mesh nets.

[Mike L]

As a co angler every boat I’ve been on has a net. There doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming consistent type or size.
 

Over the years I’ve lost my share of fish letting my boater net them and I’ve done the same a few times. 
No worse feeling. 

I’d much rather swing it in if I judge the fish to be the right size to do it safely or just go get her. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[gim]

I have both a standard size bass/walleye net with a non-tangle coating and a very large Beckman muskie net that also has a non-tangle coating.

 

Muskies and sizable pike go into the big net and they stay in the water while I remove the hooks.  I bring the muskie net when I'm specifically targeting them.

 

When I'm bass fishing, I will net anything that appears to be bigger than about 12-14 inches.  Using a net by yourself can be difficult at times.  When you pile into a muskie, then it becomes a real challenge.  If I'm using a lure that does not have treble hooks, then I will also sometimes quick reach down over the gunnel and lip them to lift one in (its easier with largies, as their mouths are much bigger than brown bass).  I've never really liked flipping one in over the side of the boat.

 

I normally don't net small pike when I'm bass fishing.  I don't like all that slime in the boat so I grab them behind the head and hold them tight.  They are slippery little devils and if you are using a treble hooked lure, I could see that ending poorly so use caution.

 

Lastly, when I do net a fish, I always remove the hooks from the fish first so I can measure/weigh it, take a photo (if necessary), and release it quickly.  Then I untangle the hooks from the netting.

 

To the OP, this is something you might want to purchase "in-store" so you can pick them up, hold them, and handle them.  The fully rubberized nets are quite a bit heavier and using one by yourself would be difficult.

 

 

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I've never used one, always thought it was for losers. Well, lost a DD this past year because I didn't have a net to land her. Never go to the water without one now. And oddly enough i use it all the time now. ?

[Susky River Rat]

@gimruis I have my big drifter musky net, hook cutters pilers etc. We both know how hard it is to net a musky solo. I get thinking well it would have been easier to land this bass with a net then reach in for it. I never did like the flip them in the boat deal but, I had the mind set ahhh it’s not a musky why net it. Now my thought process has changed.

 

 

@NittyGrittyBoy it is amazing how we never think we need something then end up using it all the time. 

[gim]

3 minutes ago, Darnold335 said:

Now my thought process has changed.

None of us are participating in the Bassmaster Elite tour or the MLF Stages here where they prohibit the use of a landing net.  I see it as another tool that helps land more fish in the boat when used properly.

[warefisher]

I like the EGO net with the extendable handle.  I mostly fish alone so it’s easy to extend the handle with the rod in one hand and net in the other.  Place a foot on the net frame (on deck of the boat) and push the button to extend.  One hand operation.  I use the short fixed handle EGO net in the kayak.  They float if dropped.

[casts_by_fly]

4 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I always have one in the boat. I may not use them for small fish under 12 inches, but anything of any size usually gets netted.

 

Its better for the fish than flipping them into the bottom of your boat (I hate that) and if for no other reason, it at least protects rods from high sticking and keeps hooks under control better so nobody gets stuck.

 

Lifted a small northern by the line one time and the dang thing flipped while lifting it causing it to come loose. When it did, the line stretched then sling-shot the lure right into my arm embedding the treble in my forearm so deep I had to push it through then cut off the barb.

 

I use a net most of the time now! ?  I prefer the solid rubber mesh nets.

 

This is me.  I'm in a kayak and I have a shorter handle net than you'd want on a boat, but I have a 20"x20" bag rubber mesh net.  If I'm fishing single hooks and catch a 15" or under I will probably swing it straight into my hands if its not flipping out.  Almost certainly if I'm using my heavier rods and braid while pitching.  If its treble hooks and over 12" then its going into the net.  I'm not dealing with a wound up fish throwing a rear treble into my hands while the front is still in his mouth.

 

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

Lastly, when I do net a fish, I always remove the hooks from the fish first so I can measure/weigh it, take a photo (if necessary), and release it quickly.  Then I untangle the hooks from the netting.

 

I also unhook the fish first, but I almost always clear the hook from the net next to avoid any tangles and re-hooking.  The wide mesh rubber net I have is always easy to untangle unless you've managed to stick the hook into the actual rubber itself (happens once or twice a year).  So for me, fish goes into net,  rod goes into holder, fish gets unhooked (never leaves net/water), hook leaves the net, camera or scale if needed, release fish.  Its easier for me to keep the net in the water since I'm so low to it so I can see how that might not work for a boat guy.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

i LOVE my net.  just some random net, i extended the handle on with a piece of scrap aluminum tubing.

 

it has saved me a few fish, boatside.  it has lost a few as well, when i inadvertently get all goofy sideways with net and knock lure loose.  on a kayak, it allows me to settle my mind and breathing by letting the fish sit in the net, in the water.  just that few seconds is good for me.  and the fish stays wet.

 

here:  right or wrong.  i think if i had  hook in my mouth/jaw.  some giant pulling me up into the air would hurt like a B!!  i dont know how the fish is hooked.  gullet?  dunno.  i just think FOR ME, lifting it to me in a net is better for everything involved.    plus i seem to use the net to fish my cap out of the water more often than what i might consider normal. 

[A-Jay]

For me, using a net to land bass is part of 'the system'.

Unless it's a super mini dink, I never reach for them or boat flip fish.

Especially treble hook deals.

 I use a Frabill Conservation Series Landing Net with Camlock Reinforced Handle, 20 X 23-Inch

Model 9510.

 

And it's on sale ! 

https://www.amazon.com/Frabill-Conservation-Landing-Camlock-Reinforced/dp/B003JSLWLQ/ref=asc_df_B003JSLWLQ?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920803409785&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520395360151&psc=1

A-Jay

 

[Columbia Craw]

I use a moderate size conservation net and it’s on the deck when I’m fishing and treble hook lures.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I’m gonna upgrade paddles soon. After holidays.  
 

im gonna cut my old carbon fiber paddle up and make lightweight “tactical” nets.   Cuz I can:).  My old paddle has a crack. 

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

For me, using a net to land bass is part of 'the system'.

Unless it's a super mini dink, I never reach for them or boat flip fish.

Especially treble hook deals.

 I use a Frabill Conservation Series Landing Net with Camlock Reinforced Handle, 20 X 23-Inch

Model 9510.

 

And it's on sale ! 

https://www.amazon.com/Frabill-Conservation-Landing-Camlock-Reinforced/dp/B003JSLWLQ/ref=asc_df_B003JSLWLQ?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920803409785&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520395360151&psc=1

A-Jay

 

 

 

Is that also a landing 'mat' on the deck?  carp anglers across the pond use them pretty much all of the time for big carp so you're not laying them on the ground (which is against the rules in most lakes).  

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

Is that also a landing 'mat' on the deck?  carp anglers across the pond use them pretty much all of the time for big carp so you're not laying them on the ground (which is against the rules in most lakes).  

Yes ~ 

24 x 16 inch silicone .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LVSB8SL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

A-Jay

[Bankbeater]

I never use one.  I'd probably trip over it and fall in the lake if I did.

[LonnieP]

I’ve never seen the need for one.

[Jar11591]

Getting my net’s handle extended and within arms reach is the first thing I do after launching my boat. Most bass 12”+ get netted. I use a rubber mesh net with a telescopic handle. 

[CountryboyinDC]

I take one where I might land a snakehead.  Hard to get the snakehead to stay still while you club it with your baseball bat otherwise.  In a kayak, mine's always in the way.  I find myself taking chances and just taking a folding shovel (e-tool for the military types) for the bycaught snakeheads.  Mine's a rubber-coated type with a handle that males it easy to use 1 handed. https://www.yakattack.us/leverage-landing-net-12-x-20-hoop-with-foam-extension-lln122047k/

[dodgeguy]

11 hours ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

I've never used one, always thought it was for losers. Well, lost a DD this past year because I didn't have a net to land her. Never go to the water without one now. And oddly enough i use it all the time now. ?

I use one all the time. Much better for the fish and more fish get landed.

[Susky River Rat]

6 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I take one where I might land a snakehead.  Hard to get the snakehead to stay still while you club it with your baseball bat otherwise.  In a kayak, mine's always in the way.  I find myself taking chances and just taking a folding shovel (e-tool for the military types) for the bycaught snakeheads.  Mine's a rubber-coated type with a handle that males it easy to use 1 handed. https://www.yakattack.us/leverage-landing-net-12-x-20-hoop-with-foam-extension-lln122047k/

Not gonna lie snakeheads are a bucket list fish for me. I have to travel about two hours to get to them though. They shut down two of the fish ladders below where I fish because of those and blues. The Conowingo fish lift I think they manually sort through.

[dodgeguy]

11 hours ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

I've never used one, always thought it was for losers. Well, lost a DD this past year because I didn't have a net to land her. Never go to the water without one now. And oddly enough i use it all the time now. ?

I use one all the time. Much better for the fish and more fish get landed.

[Scott F]

I use mostly lighter braids and when the fish is around 3 pounds or so, I always net them. I use a rubber net so my treble hooks don’t get all tangled like they do in regular nets. 

[CountryboyinDC]

23 minutes ago, Darnold335 said:

Not gonna lie snakeheads are a bucket list fish for me.

You'll get over it after a baby one's teeth cut through the 3rd brand new $12 hollow bodied frog you tied on.  You'll find joy in knocking the slime off them with your bat.  Some folks actually target them around here.