lippin um!!

[adub93]

I have been fishing for about 3 months now and i still hve trouble lippin the bass, i dont know if its nerves or if i just scared of it what should i do!!

[FivePoundBluegill]

Buy yourself a landing net and use it for all decent size fish of any species... Dont even bother lipping them. Useing the landing net will reduce the number of fish that come unbottoned at the side of the lake or boat. It will cut down on "bass thumb". You wont have to risk getting impaled by a trebble hook that is rattleing around in the fish's mouth.

[.dsaavedra.]

or you could invest in a fish lipper. (with or without scale) the ones with scales (the nice ones at least...called boga grips) are very expensive, but berkley and bass pro have one out that doesnt have a scale, just grabs the fish for you, for around 15 bucks.

heres the BPS version:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=93414&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

heres a berkley one with a scale:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_50327_100011005_100000000_100011000_100-11-5

and heres about the nicest you will find. people say they give dead on measurements:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=20679&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

[Guest avid]

Or you could just keep at it till it comes easy.

If your using baits with two or three sets of treble hooks than being careful is a good thing.

If it's a single hook, then just be bold,  grab him with authority

and remeber lippin em is ok TONGUING THEM IS NOT!!!      

[FivePoundBluegill]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets. It baffles my mind. There are so many fish lost each year by anglers that would have been caught if the angler had used a landing net. I also see that bass fishermen are the fishermen that use the landing net LEAST of any kind of fishermen. I do not understand this at all. For the reasons I listed in my earlyer post I bring a landing net with me every time I go fishing and use it on fish too big to deadlift out of the lake no matter what species.

Yes I have head that landing nets can damage the fish's slime however the nets that do this are the ones with ROUGH thick material with realy big gaps in the netting. I used to use a net like this but a couple weeks ago I bought myself a nice big fine mesh landing net that would not be nearly as harmful on the fish. I also get that fish out of the net as soon as I have him out of the water.

[Big_Bass_Rock]

I find it pretty easy. Small bass about 12" and under I usually just lift them out of the water on the rod unless I'm using my ultralite then I grab them. Anything bigger I usually lip. What I do is when I get the fish to the the edge just lift up on the rod untill the head is out of the water, usually they open their mouth and are still for a few seconds giving you enough time to grab them.

I bring a net sometimes, when I expect to catch a big catfish or carp, or if I'm fishing somewhere high above the water where you can't reach the fish. I only net fish too big to lift out with the rod.

I don't really like bringing my net because its big and awkward and generally a hassle. I have one of those small teardrop trout nets but the handle on that one is too short to make it usefull, might as well just grab if I'm already that close.

I saw a collapsable net yesterday at target of all places that looked pretty need, it folded into a pretty small bag and expanded to about a 3 foot handle and a good size triangular fish hole thingy. I'm gonna look into these a bit more and I might have to get one. Seems like it would be convenient when I don't want to bring the big net.

[Olebiker]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets.

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing.  Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch.  It's a slippery slope.

[FivePoundBluegill]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets.

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing. Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch. It's a slippery slope.

Yeah I dont get what you just said. I also dont see anything wrong with useing live bait as long as its legal, trolling, or useing spinning tackle? Nothing is wrong with any of those things. Useing a landing net is just something that makes sure you are able to get those big fish in the boat. It also makes landing the fish much less painfull when it comes to reduceing bass thumb or getting hooked.

[roadwarrior]

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing. Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch. It's a slippery slope.

Huh?  

[Boett43]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets.

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing. Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch. It's a slippery slope.

I get was your saying pretty much just MAN UP and grab the bass it dosent hurt...well thats what i got from your comment  ;D

[tyrius.]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets.

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing. Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch. It's a slippery slope.

Am I the only one that saw this as sarcastic?  I thought it was funny stuff.

[Olebiker]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets.

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing. Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch. It's a slippery slope.

Yeah I dont get what you just said. I also dont see anything wrong with useing live bait as long as its legal, trolling, or useing spinning tackle? Nothing is wrong with any of those things. Useing a landing net is just something that makes sure you are able to get those big fish in the boat. It also makes landing the fish much less painfull when it comes to reduceing bass thumb or getting hooked.

I knew I shoulda used a smiley face so the humor-impaired would know I was funnin'.  :-[

[Red]

i forgot how to lip a bass, it has been so long since i caught one that had a lip big enough to lip!

Cliff

[Cajun1977]

I honestly do not get why so many fishermen do not use landing nets.

Using a net would just lead to other unfortunate habits like fishing with live bait, trolling, or using spinning tackle for all your fishing. Start using a landing net and the next thing you know you'll be headed for shore lunch. It's a slippery slope.

Am I the only one that saw this as sarcastic? I thought it was funny stuff.

i thought it was very funny, cause im against all those things to ;D

[Guest avid]

I don't use a net because it's just another thing that my lures tangle in.

I like jamming my thumb in the fish's mouth.

It's kind of intimate in a  fishy sort of way.   :-/

[gatrboy53]

there isnt anything wrong w/ usin live bait to catch a bass or usin a net. but the purist of the sport of bass fishin,dont do either one.personally i wouldnt kill a deer w/ a gun,only a bow.i may have but i cant ever remember losin a bass by not usin a net.there have been times i thought i would and the rush of finally gettin my hands on that bass was worth not nettin it.

i do use a net in tx. cause i want every advantage i can have to quickly get the bass in the boat.

but... if i had reservations about puttin my hand in a bass mouth then i would get me a net.

[slomoe]

I have no problem lippin a bass, Its when I accidently hook a cat that Im completely clueless. Am I gonna get finned? Or if my hand gets near the mouth I think Its gonna chomp down. I think I have a pretty high tolorance for pain but when it comes to catfish, Im way out of my comfort zone.  ;D

[Matt Fly]

First off, fishing in general is done one on one for most part. That is you and the fish.      

My DAD always taught things in perspective as to respect what you persue. Its you against the Bass.

     My DAD taught us that is is more sporting for "us" to land the fish by hand.

Nets are better now days, but still take some slime off every time they are caught.

So lipping a Bass to me is about sportsmanship, kinda like shaking hands with the other team whether you won or lost at the end of the game.

To land that fish one on one is fair fight, you are giving the fish a chance to survive.      My Dad said that fish, that little Green Fish that I fell in love with gives me free therapy, stress relief, enjoyment and pleasure that I don't get from other avenues in life.

      The least you can do for something that gives us so much pleasure is to ensure its survival!!!!!! Whether for sport or supper, they are fun to catch.

In short, Texas is a little more open than some states, we were taught that its not sporting to hunt deer on feeders, we always had feeders to keep doe in the pasture, but never to hunt off them.

Its about respecting mother nature and displayng sportsmanship to those that we persue.

     I have seen bass lost because of rookie netters, and just cause its meant to happen once in awhile, just as lipping some, you may lose one now and then.

Matt

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I knew I shoulda used a smiley face so the humor-impaired would know I was funnin'. :-[

I think thats funnier that the first post!!! LOL

I get what you are sayin'    

[BackOnTheWater]

I keep a net in my boat for the accidental catfish, drum, gar, etc...but I NEVER use my net on bass. Yes, I've lost a few big ones at the boat, but NOT because I didn't use the net.

And I don't use live bait, troll, or use spinning tackle, either.

As someone said, man-up and stick that thumb in there...and I HAVE had to clip barbs off of treble hooks to get them out of my finger or thumb. Hey, that's the bass' only shot at you...look what you did to HIM! You gotta give him a shot to get even! haha

And it DOES get easier and easier...but you gotta get him good with the first try or he WILL get you or get off.

[Crestliner2008]

"To net or not to net That is the question!" All depends on how serious you are about catch & release, as far as I'm concerned. No net is perfectly safe on not removing any of the fishes slime coating. Some are better than others (and a lot more costly). If you are a true catch & release fisherman, then by all means, learn to lip (except for Northern Pike!  ;D) However, if you just as soon bring your fish home, it matters not. I've never found a net necessary except for salmon - their lower jaw is too fragile for lipping tools and they flop around too much for landing by hand.  

[Pittsburgh Reeler]

I got a lot of info. from the other responses to "Why don't bass fisherman net?" but I have 2 other ideas to add to that:   It doesn't look as good on TV!  Also, I've witnessed several times where an angler who was by him/herself almost fall out of the boat trying to hold the net when the water was choppy or when a wake hits, and it wasn't pretty!  

[WRB]

If you are fun fishing and using a lure with a single hook, landing the bass by it's opened mouth is the way go IMO. Treble hook lures; use a knotless landing net.

Avoid letting the bass bounce around on the boats carpet or bouncing them in the boat. Getting treble hook in your hand trying to lip land a bass is dangerous, painfull and may end your day quickly. Turn the bass upside down or belly up when removing the hook, this will calm them so the bass doesn't flip around. Also avoid bending the lower lip down, this isn't necessary and may damage the fishes mouth.

When lip landing a bass, follow the line down with your thumb and keep pressure on the line with your rod. When your thumb touches the basses mouth slip the thumb inside and pinch the lower lip between your thumb and index finger. Grip tight, then rotate your hand unitl the knuckles on the hand are upright, then left the bass out of the water. This method prevents bending the mouth down and allow you to calm the bass.

WRB

[bpm2000]

IMO lipping is all part of the game!

[fishing man]

lippin for me was hard to do for a wile just because the hook and it screwed up my thumb (now when i go fishing i try to get bass thumb to show i had a lot on. lol) and let me tell you just be ultra carefull with more than one trebel, it hurts like crazy when that thing goes in and the fish is still going nuts, take it from someone it happend to.