Landing nets

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours 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/

i run the same but with the 20x20” bag. I had a previously mounted mighty mount track and a spare omega rod holder. The pair keeps the net exactly in the same place no matter how rough the water or how much overhanging brush I get into. 
 

[T-Billy]

I've lost big fish every way you could imagine. That said, I rarely lip quality bass anymore. They either get boat flipped or netted depending on how big they are and how they're hooked. I've had 'em come off while trying to flip 'em, and I've had 'em come off while trying to net 'em, or lip 'em. Go with what you're comfortable with, you're gonna lose some any way you go about it.

[Woody B]

I can't net a bass by myself.   I get out of whack trying to work the net, and the rod.   I have a cut resistant glove on my console.  I'll use it to lip them if I'm using trebles.   I'll also use the glove to grab the line and pull them in, instead of high sticking a rod while boat flipping them.   

 

 

Added:  I'm a good netter,  Mrs B is a good netter,  my Grandsons are good netters.  I just can't seem to work a net, and a fish at the same time.  I've got a BPS net with a folding handle we use when I'm not fishing alone.  

[PourMyOwn]

I have a conservation net for when I am using treble hooks. I've been hooked too many times over the years to reach for a bass that has 6 owner hook points thrashing around. 

[Susky River Rat]

Thank you guys for all your comments. I did in fact get one. I got to use it and I must admit I do like it a lot better then flipping or trying to grab them.

[waymont]

On 12/1/2022 at 9:38 PM, casts_by_fly said:

I had a previously mounted mighty mount track and a spare omega rod holder.

That rod storage system looks interesting. I think it wouldn't be a good fit for me though, I'd get tanged up in that thing.

[volzfan59]

When I still owned bass boats, I always had a good sized net onboard. I still have the big net, but now that I'm fishing from a 16' jon to bass boat conversion there's nowhere to keep it. My wife got me a collapsible net for Christmas that will stow in a compartment. I always netted anything over 1.5 - 2.0 lbs.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

My wife got me a collapsible net for Christmas that will stow in a compartment.

I had a short-handle net for the canoe, but when I started work on the F-9, I knew I needed a longer handle...so I got this one.

Frabill Folding Landing Net, 22 x 20-Inch, Premium Landing Net

 

6 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

I always netted anything over 1.5 - 2.0 lbs.

For me - if it ain't a panfish, I'll usually net it.

[Cbump]

When I’m In a tournament, anything 2lb and up gets netted unless it’s skiing in quick and i can flip easier than getting to the net. It’s just a feel thing at the time. 
Flip the little ones. 
I think “damage to bass” Is way overblown. These suckers aren’t as fragile as some act. 

[Mbirdsley]

I always use a net to land fish. I’m not a fan of flipping fish into the boat.  Also, I’d rather let them flip around in the net while I’m holding it rather than they beat them selves up on the boat deck.
 

  I recently upgraded my landing net from the cheap Walmart nylon webbed model to a EGO rubber net.  the Walmart net was fine other than trebles getting caught In the nylon.
 

I love the EGO net but, I ordered a size too small.  I should have went a size bigger with the handle and the basket.  The one I have now would be good for a kayak.  I need to get a bigger one this summer. 

[Darth-Baiter]

that elation I get when a bass in a net is fantastic.  half relief I imagine.

 

I usually need to take a beat to compose myself, and it is nice to be able to keep the fish wet in the net.