Landing Bass From The Bank

[Mobasser]

I still make usually two bank trips each week during season to a small lake near home.                                               The shoreline is a mix of things. A rock dam, dirt/ mud, weeds and mowed grass. I've seen other anglers drag bass on rocks, into weeds, and onto dirt, with the fish flopping around the whole time.                                     Since Ive gotten older, it's become harder to bend down to the water and lip the fish I catch. Too many years as a carpenter have taken it's toll on my knees and hip.                     I plan on modifying a bass size boat net by cutting the handle shorter, and attaching it to my belt loop. Similar to a net wading trout fisherman use.                                 I can keep the net behind me while I'm casting, then reach around and grab the handle, which will attach with an elastic cord. Doing this, I can net the fish when it's still in the water. Then release them.                                    I dont like to see the bass flopping around on the bank. I don't think very many bass guys like to carry a net while shore fishing. Most seem to think a net is a hassle from the bank. I didn't have this problem when I  was younger, so I think it's part of getting older.                        Anyone else carry a net for bank fishing? If so, what's your setup? Just trying to keep these fish in good shape, to live on, grow, and fight another day.

 

[LCG]

I try to carry a net most times, but I found it cumbersome when carrying more than one combo.

 

Last year I purchased a fly fishing sling bag that works well. I keep the net clipped to the bag, and when I need it, simply sling the bag from my back to my front and unclip. It extends, but it can be a little awkward while fighting the fish. May look for a better net or MacGyver something.

 

Had a back injury last year and bending/twisting is very painful. This has helped a lot. I think nets are safer for the fish (assuming catch and release) and much safer for the rods

[TLHSS]

I just bank fish. I always carry an old school trout landing net with elastic lanyard that goes around my shoulder and neck. I also stopped using treble hooks and went barbless to make the fish easier to release from the net. 

[msgf91]

I have one of the cheap extendable nets with a ziptie around the end and a cheap keychain carabiner to hold it to my belt.  Then on my other side I carry my metal fish ruler with the same thing, ziptie and carabiner. 

[ToothyCritter]

I bank fish about half the time, other half from the kayak. From the bank I'll typically get right up to the water's edge and nab them there. No mobility issues yet, but if it comes to it I'll likely use a small trout net on a zinger. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I have a folding net for steelhead fishing that’s perfect for just what you’re talking about. 

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I have a folding net for steelhead fishing that’s perfect for just what you’re talking about. 

My main net in the F-9 is a Frabil Folding. It's also the one I take along for shore fishing.

https://www.scheels.com/p/frabill-folding-landing-net/08227123607.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=unpaidlistings_local&store=62&src=hardlines

[Hammer 4]

For those that drag a fish across rocks, gravel or grass, doing so removes the slim from the fishes body, which Protects them from Parasites, even handling a bass with dry hands will do the same, if touch any part of the body other than lipping it.

By removing the slim, there is a chance the fish could die, so please use a net or whatever means you have to as not to drag them.

Just interjecting this mainly for new, or for those that don't know. 

[islandbass]

I’d go barbless and when I get them close to shore, I consider that the win. 
 

I let the line go slack and they easily throw off the lure. 
 

I discovered this when trout fishing with some homemade in-line spinners that just happened to have barbless single hooks. 
 

The first one I caught I realized that I didn’t feel like going down on my knees to pick it up but I was obligated to, lol. When I leaned the rod on the dock, the line went slack and voila! The trout, which was no bigger than my hand, easily shook the hook off and went on its way. 
 

I thought, “Hmmm. Not bad. Pretty cool and I don’t need to get my hands fishy ?”.  I caught 4 more trout within 15 minutes time and each one, I brought close to the dock, let the line go slack, and they all freed themselves with zero effort from me. That was amazing and very convenient for me and them, and they didn’t have to suffer being touched by human hands. 
 

So if a tiny, planter trout can easily free itself, just about any bass should be able to do the same thing. 

[The Bassman]

I've been using my Rapala fish grippers on larger fish for some time now. Also makes weighing easy.

[ATA]

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

I've been using my Rapala fish grippers on larger fish for some time now. Also makes weighing easy.

Same here, I a, using the short version. but they have long version as well if you cant bend at all or very little.

[BrianMDTX]

13 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

My main net in the F-9 is a Frabil Folding. It's also the one I take along for shore fishing.

https://www.scheels.com/p/frabill-folding-landing-net/08227123607.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=unpaidlistings_local&store=62&src=hardlines

I have one like that with a shorter handle. I use bank fishing and also on my inflatable boat (which sits low in the water). But I will admit that the banks I fish I can easily stand at the water’s edge and reach fish easily. 

[ironbjorn]

I carry a net with a folding handle. It slips onto one of my backpack loops and stays put when folded.

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I have one like that with a shorter handle. I use bank fishing and also on my inflatable boat (which sits low in the water). But I will admit that the banks I fish I can easily stand at the water’s edge and reach fish easily. 

That one telescopes, so it can be a shorter handle.