Landing net questions.

[Kirtley Howe]

Moderators: Not sure if this is in the right forum, so feel free to move it to the correct one if I have messed up.     

I am considering buying a new landing net. The one I have now is your typical string mesh net with a fixed handle. I am considering a rubber mesh net with an extendable handle. I know the big advantage to the rubber net is that hooks don't get caught in it as easily, and fish don't get tangled up in it as much. Those are the positive aspects. The negative things I can see is that the rubber mesh net is heavier, which is a consideration because I do a lot of walk-in shore fishing,  and more expensive. I have also had some people tell me that the rubber nets actually do more damage to fish than the string nets, as they rub off more protective slime from the fish's body, although I have no proof that is true. So what are your opinions? Are there other things I have not thought of that could make or break my decision? Any other options for nets I have not considered?  I should note that 90% of the time I will be using it for bass, and the other 10% will be for trashfish, pike or musky. A cradle type net is not an option as I am fishing from rocky shoreline most of the time and cannot get in a position to cradle a fish without risk to life and limb.      Thanks......

  

[gim]

The rubber ones are significantly heavier.  I would suggest going to a retail store and trying a few, with two hands and with one.  If you fish by yourself a lot, a rubber one may be an issue because of the weight.  This is part of the reason I use nylon-coated versions.  I always remove the fish first, so I can release it quickly.  Then I go back and remove hooks from the net.

 

You're better off not even trying to net a muskie in a "bass net."  You will do more damage than good, to both yourself and the fish.  An actual muskie net is the way to go because it keeps the fish in the bag while you remove the hooks, but its not practical to carry around a giant muskie net while bank fishing.

[A-Jay]

I use this Frabil  (9510)- Works for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JSLWLQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Tried the rubber bag - was too heavy to use effectively with one hand.

And I am at least average as far as strength goes. 

Point of interest; I fish from a boat. 

Please consider a silicone mat to set the net/fish on to remove hooks and take pics.

If you're concerned about removing slime, it's the way to go.

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

#sanddirtrocksleavesgrasscatpoop

A-Jay

 

 

[WRB]

Take a look at Frabil conservation Ultralight net.

Stay away from “rubber” nets.

Tom

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I want a big nylon mesh net with a very lightweight long aluminum pole when looking for a net.    I prefer large hole opening in the net as well, not netting little fish.  

 

I want to one hand it in a split second and make an athletic action of netting a wild large Bass.   

 

eta:  I use a 50+ yr old net that I inherited from my grandpa, my net is very sentimental and special to me.   

[detroit1]

I don't use a net. I am fun fishing, if he gets away- he gets away. I was going to release him anyway. It adds a little excitement at the boat. And no, i don't consider it caught unless it makes it inside the boat. 

[Zcoker]

I've fished the rocky sloped shoreline for the longest time and have never needed a landing net, even for fish weighing over 8lbs. Just one more thing to get in the way. Just one more thing to carry around. One more hassle to worry about. One more thing to fail. When the fish is brought in, the water gets shallower and shallower, almost to the point where a net would need to be laying on top of the jagged rocks underwater, risking entanglement. Not to mention having to horse the fish over the hoop area in order to scoop it up, both hands Helter Skelter. I usually choose my fishing area on the rocks to accommodate the best landing zones. Places that have good foothold, maybe an indentation in the rocks, a V perhaps....choosing the area to land the fish before fishing that area is better than any landing net, in my opinion. 

[gim]

15 hours ago, detroit1 said:

I don't use a net. I am fun fishing, if he gets away- he gets away. I was going to release him anyway. It adds a little excitement at the boat. And no, i don't consider it caught unless it makes it inside the boat. 

Although I don't agree with your position on using a net, I do agree with the second part about fish being caught.  If it does not make it to hands in the boat, it is not a fish caught.

 

The one exception might be a tarpon in Florida.  When I was there back in 2018, state law did not permit anyone to take a tarpon out of the water without a special permit.  When we caught one, our guide considered it "caught" once he physically touched the line in front of the fish's head.  They allowed us to hold the mouth of the tarpon boat side for a photo before release.

[Kirtley Howe]

When I lived in Florida, it was common for many saltwater species to be considered "caught" when you touched the leader. 

[Zcoker]

44 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

 

The one exception might be a tarpon in Florida.  When I was there back in 2018, state law did not permit anyone to take a tarpon out of the water without a special permit.  

 

Still the same laws here. The permit of which you speak is a tarpon tag. Good for a year. Must be attached to the fish that is taken out of the water. Available at the local DMV drivers license department. Might have to do some education at the DMV because when applying and asking for a tarpon tag, the employees look at you cross-eyed lol. 

 

Tarpon must remain in the water per FWC. If they are 40 inches or less, they can be removed from the water. 

 

 

Florida tarpon tag for anyone curious on what they look like. 

 

 

 

[Scott F]

The Frabil Conservation Series net I bought was the worst net I ever used. It always took too long to get the fish out. Even single hooks would get stuck. Never use one when fishing with trebles! Very expensive too. Rubber nets are heavier and they have shallow baskets, not good for longer fish like pike, muskies or good sized walleye. Cradles are terrible for landing a big fish with a treble hook bait. You lead the fish in and if one of the hooks catches at the front edge, the game is over. You now can’t get the rest of the fish in the net. It’s definitely a two person job using a cradle. 
No matter what you choose, there are trade offs. I’m using the rubber net as I use both single hook and lures with trebles for bass. Fish and lures come out easily and the bass sized ones are not so heavy that I can’t use it with only hand. I don’t use nets at all for pike and muskies.  I learned how to hand land even big ones without getting my hands cut up. 

[WRB]

Bass fishing from a boat I rarely used a landing net unless fishing with multiple treble hook lures like Crankbaits.

Very easy the hand land them.

My old net was 16” wide by 18” long by 16” deep and no reason to go over 18x21x16 imo, even for world record size bass.

There is a skill in using a net by calmly leading the fish into the net in lieu of trying to scoop up a hot fish.

I bought a rubber net and it was so heavy and slow to move in the water I gave to the 1st person at the boat dock when loading boat...

At night a net is a real help to land bass, but again don’t try stabbing or scooping hot bass.

Getting treble hooks tangled in the net mesh is your fault by letting the bass flop around in the net. Keep calm and left the netted bass out before it flops around.

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

if I'm throwing treble hooks I am netting basically 100% of the fish I catch.  Its not worth the risk of a hook in the hand.  Single hook baits I will boat flip into the kayak at times, but I don't prefer it unless the fish is small enough to grab in the air- basically under 12".

 

I am a strong believer in a wide mesh rubber net.  Mine is a Yak attack leverage because that was the first one I found that fit just right in my kayak.  In 3 years with it I have had one hook actually stick in the net and that was a treble that penetrated at the intersection of the mesh thick spot.  Every other hook is a simple removal, even with heavy barbs.  Rubber nets are better than nylon nets by a mile for the fish's benefit.  They are far better than nylon or fine nylon mesh nets for hook entanglement.  They are more expensive and heavier.  

 

If you're carrying it in, you might want to look at a folding net and a back magnet.  That's how I carrier a steelhead or trout net for the longest time.  I don't know if you're wearing a vest or backpack, but you just clip it on and let the net hang behind you all day.  Simple to use with a fish on- just pull the net.  

[Darth-Baiter]

rubber nets have more resistance in the water.   at least for me.  i am a hot mess trying to chase a fast moving fish, hoping to escape. 

[Kirtley Howe]

Thank you for all the responses. After much consideration, I am thinking of looking into a smaller collapsible net. It should be sufficient for bass and most Walleye. I think the advice to not net Pike and Musky is probably valid. And I don't target those, they are an accidental catch, so it is not going to be a regular occurrence. Again, thanks for the advice. 

[detroit1]

g-  i don't have a position on using / not using a net, i am just stating how i do it. I have nothing against nets or those that use them. 

[RRocket]

3 hours ago, Kirtley Howe said:

Thank you for all the responses. After much consideration, I am thinking of looking into a smaller collapsible net. It should be sufficient for bass and most Walleye. I think the advice to not net Pike and Musky is probably valid. And I don't target those, they are an accidental catch, so it is not going to be a regular occurrence. Again, thanks for the advice. 

 

3 hours ago, Kirtley Howe said:

 

I have a net like that. It's a collapsible type.

 

The net handle is aluminum. It's 17" when closed and about 42" when extended. I have re-strung with a conservation type, large hole, silicone net. It's a reasonably shallow net at 7", so the fish is easily removed. It does stretch a bit an accommodates larger fish. Treble hook tangles are a thing of the past. Super easy to remove hooks..another way that helps get the fish out of net quicker.

 

It is light weight...under 1lb. It stows easily on my 12", small tackle backpack.

 

It has served me well. Have even used it in my boat to net small-medium pike. It guess not float, so I no longer use it in the boat. It is used most often for Largemouth and the occasional Bowfin. 

[RRocket]

[Kirtley Howe]

Pretty much what I was thinking of. Thanks.