FLW + Coangler netting = LAME

[arul]

I'm not a tournament fisherman and I don't watch them anymore so that being said . If it upset you that much then I have a simple solution. DON'T WATCH THEM ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is exactly what I was saying.  It did upset me to see Coanglers landing the pro's fish, and I am not watching any more.  That was my point.  And the post was made so that perhaps an FLW rep would stick their nose in, see my displeasure with partners landing the fish, and perhaps change the rules to eliminate partner landing.

[VekolBass]

I do it both ways--netting is a more certain method of landing the fish, but if you're by yourself it is just as easy to lip it. I do not, however, ever flip a fish into the boat and let it flop. If you're going to do that you might as well take it home and eat it.

[fishizzle]

I've always hated netting someone elses fish in a tourney.

If you screw up, its like taking money right out of their pocket.

ESPECIALLY SMALLIES!!!!!

[Volman482]

I'd rather see the fish netted with a good net than flipped in so it can flop around on the carpet or get lipped and have it's jaw dislocated!

But that's just me!

[SDoolittle]

I had no idea that some people are offended by the use of a landing net!

[Matt 825]

My preference is for no nets in tournaments, but since all local tournamnets allow nets you have to use them.

 When I fish tournaments I net my own fish.  I have seen too many "horrible net jobs" to let someone else net a good fish for me, plus I dont want someone else to stop fishing to net my fish.  

[mrbassky]

The way I look at it is you want the tournament scenario the same as it would be any other day. And most days we have a buddy in the boat with the net.

[zbass]

I have seen both sides of the fence also. There is good and bad times. "Get the net" is exciting to hear from your partner o those long days. It keeps both people involved in the "team concept". Draw tournys are a different story. i will net my partner for the day's fish but I tell him that I will let him know if I need it. Nothing worse that to have that winning fish at the boat only to have it "stabbed off" :'(

[eatnsleepfishing]

In our Central Pro Am we do not have enough co-anglers so some pros do not have anyone to net for them so rules are (NET YOUR OWN FISH).

[SLO_ROLL]

Tournament=bringing fish to a weigh-in

Partner=someone you fish "with"

If I see something on TV I don't like, I change the channel.

[Big-O]

I have netted many large fish for other anglers and other anglers have netted many large fish for me......We are all very happy.  

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[fish-fighting-illini]

My hats off to all of those who've posted.  So far for a fairly controverisal topic the replies have pretty much been first class.

 Although not a tny fisherman I can see it both ways. As a spectator via T.V.  I'd much rather see fish than one comeing loose at the boat.

 Maybe the rule should be ammended to " the handle of the net must be visible at all times" This would prevent the 4ft down tree stump "rescue ".  Just a quick thought ????

FFI - AKA Matt Crum

[RangerZ21]

All sporting comments folks but studies have shown that flipping a fish in the boat does more damage than netting them if the proper net is used.  And come on, how many of us tournament fishermen actually lip our bass if we think we can swing it?  

[zbass]

I am all for fish care. That is why when I swing a fish, i aim for the passenger seat. the fish doesn't hit the carpet and the co-angler can go home smelling like fish too!

Really, I take as good of care of the fish as I can. I am not a biologist or anything so I just use common sense. I have a fish care net and it gets used.

[warmer]

I do not, however, ever flip a fish into the boat and let it flop. If you're going to do that you might as well take it home and eat it.

i dont buy this claim.  i have slung bass into the boat, and seen no detrimental effect on them in the live well.  additionally i have brought fish home that i have slung and put them in a holding tank for days and seen no negative effect.

i dont sling fish as a general rule, if i do i land them gently, but i don't think that the claim that you "may as well take it home and eat it" is accurate.

[Tin]

I do not, however, ever flip a fish into the boat and let it flop. If you're going to do that you might as well take it home and eat it.

So if I hook a fish and rip him out of some slop should I just bring it home and eat it too? :-?

[NBR]

Different tour different rules! No science behind my opinion but I suspect a rubber net is easier on the fish than bouncing them off of and letting them flop around on the carpet.

[MattStrykul]

I don't know why people have such horrible stories about these net jobs! Half the time if you just put the net in the water at the nose of the fish it'll swim right in.

[farmpond1]

Personally, I'd hate to be held responsible for losing someone else's fish.  Let him/her land their own fish.

[Md]

I'm all for making the angler net his own fish. Speaking from experience, it's a lot of pressure to net a fish that may cost a pro $25,000...or worse $100,000! The co-angler has a right to fish too...and if the pro has a fish hooked, he's on fish. Let the guy keep fishing. He paid to fish too. I've been on both ends of this and would never let a co net my fish...I don't know how good his netting skills are and if I lose a fish I want no one to blame except myself. No excuses.

[BillyBob]

B.A.S.S. did away with nets 3 years ago in the opens. Brought them back the very next year! (all but the Elites). Fish care!!!

One other thought...nothing binds two strangers together faster than helping each other catch fish! 8-)  

[JF1]

Personally, I'd hate to be held responsible for losing someone else's fish. Let him/her land their own fish.

This is my only point.  I could care less that the FLW allows you to use a net, and if it's better for the fish then fantastic.  However, the angler should have to net their own fish.  How many of us have lost a fish right at the boat because their wasn' t a co-angler to net it for us??  It's the anglers fish until it's in the boat, period.  Net your own fish!

[c17Lat]

IMO, coangler netting is a bad idea for FLW for two reasons

1. anyone can be a coangler. So one pro might get the agile, athletic 20 yr old helping net his fish while another pro may have the 60 yr old guy with a bad back in the back of the boat. I think coangler netting just adds more variables and gives unfair advantages and disadvantages

2. It looks awkward and lame on tv! This is one of the reasons why the elite series shows are better than the flw ones

[squid]

I don't care, I would rather net my own fish.  But have you ever had to net your own smallies?  Catch about 20-40 of them between 3 & 5 lbs and you will want someone else to use the net after a while....lol  They will wear you down :o