Nets and the Well Tempered Custodian...

[ChaseChrome]

Prior to our departure my friend asked me whether I had a landing net...I responded with typical sarcasm asking him if it was for butterfly hunting.

It occurred to me a timely question as I had been considering photos I've been looking at of fish in landing nets, and noticing too (regardless of net material) that fish seem to leave much of their protective slime behind on the netting...(even rubber).

Now this is not meant to berate anyone using landing nets (it has its' proponents and efficacy)..but the question remains, what is best suited to landing and releasing fish...

I'm happy to say that I have rarely mishandled a fish (luck partly), taken it from the water only for the briefest of moments for the "grip + grin" (which I am decreasingly fond of), or, more often than not, leave my fish IN the water for my "portrait" shot...for me water provides a beautiful limpid quality to the document.

I am swayed by a bare-handed tailing of the fish, a quick pic, and released with as little contact of the fish's skin as possible.

A meditation really...
cc

 

[goodentight]

I am glad you are doing everything in your best practice for the well being and safety of the fish. But some of us want pictures, with ourselves in the shot to share with friends, family, and even grand children generations to come. I mean no disrespect, but if you are an active moderator of a fishing forum and are growing decreasing fond of pictures of people holding fish, you are kind of "doing it wrong". As this sport and site becomes bigger and more popular, you are only going to see more, and more, and more.

 

[ChaseChrome]

I have no intention of letting this thread go sideways GnT...I said it was a meditation...and my job as a moderator is set aside when I make a contribution meant to provoke some deeper thinking about what we're up to....

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

As a net user I'm happy to discuss this. I'm not really "pro" or "anti" net, I just like to try to do what I think will provide the best outcome for myself and the fish.

Even though I've never really taken pictures with fish I can understand GnT's perspective, it is nice to be able to share them with friends and family.

Pics aside though, I think there are a few other things to consider with net use and I'd be happy if others could comment on my perspective to help improve my understanding of best practices and also to help me gain insight in to the reasons behind other people's preferences.

I found steelheads tails (or the one that I had to release anyways) were really well suited to the no-net landing. They're firm and large...very easy to keep a hold on them.

Bass can be another story...

Most of the time, when the fish is hooked nicely in the side or top of the mouth, I can just grab the fish by the jaw and pop the hook out while it is still in the water. This way the body is supported, there is no impact, and very little, if any, slime is removed.

The trouble is when you are dealing with a large, energetic fish-- or a fish that is hooked too deep or in an awkward manner.

In cases such as these I find it hard to bring them in properly without a net...as you either have to clamp down on their bodies very firmly (which isn't good for them) or grab them by the jaw to bring them out (in which case they shake around violently and sometimes injure their mouths). I hardly ever use nets on smaller bass but when I'm dealing with something sizable I like to use them because it prevents me from either clamping down on the jaw really hard and having the fish damage itself; clamping down on the body hard and injuring the fish's organs (and removing protective slime); or (and yes I've done this many times by accident) dropping the bass in the boat when it shakes free at which point it flops around like crazy removing a ton of slime and damaging god know what else lol.

A lot of people simply grab the jaw and then support the body with their hands...this works great but takes off just as much slime as a net IMO.

Look forward to hearing some comments, cheers!

 

[NADO]

Sometimes water can give the appearance of slime with rubber landing net in pictures when the net has small holes that hold the water. I have found with my net that very minimal slime is left on the net (sometimes it appears otherwise in pictures due to the water). I would notice if there was alot of slime left on the net as I dont rinse it after catching fish, if there were slime it would dry up as a white film and stink in the car on the way home.

The rubber nets are great because I can land the fish in the net, remove the hook and set the rod aside while keeping the net in the water while I get the camera ready.

 

[Dozer]

Not a net man myself, prefer hand bombing with a glove, just recently "picked up" a Michigan Mitt :lol: I love the grip and grin shots, with my addiction to photos the glove gives me control of the fish. My fish never come to the bank as floating, lifeless slabs of meat that sit still for photos, maybe I'm missing out on a trick that lulls the fish for photos? Before, I never used a glove... just bare hand 'em and they'd slip out from time to time. With the glove I'm applying less pressure and I know I'm not hurting the fish, stripping a little bit of slime, sure. I remember one time I gripped a larger fish, felt something click and the fish twitched, this was a larger fish so I did apply good pressure to get a hold of it... Will be picking up a rubber net for my "new to me" adventures hunting residents, just so I can look like a professional :lol: Fishing big systems with current, butt deep and away from shore gives anglers the advantage for a controlled scenario, thumbs up for nets. Gill nets work best :mrgreen:

Steelhead are super resilient, strong, robust fish that can handle more then we actually think. Think of all the little parr that get handled and processed at hatcheries with little or no ill effects. Compare those weaklings vs. the wild(er), larger fish we encounter.

Aren't you supposed to be putting a report together? Patiently waiting here

 

[Dozer]

I want to add, control and surgically remove your lure from a 53" musky without a landing net and/or cradle :lol: You'd probably end up at the doctors having teeth and hooks surgically removed

 

[ChaseChrome]

Sometimes water can give the appearance of slime with rubber landing net in pictures when the net has small holes that hold the water. I have found with my net that very minimal slime is left on the net (sometimes it appears otherwise in pictures due to the water). I would notice if there was alot of slime left on the net as I dont rinse it after catching fish, if there were slime it would dry up as a white film and stink in the car on the way home.

The rubber nets are great because I can land the fish in the net, remove the hook and set the rod aside while keeping the net in the water while I get the camera ready.

Sure...I noticed that you keep your net in the water which mitigates contact for sure.

 

[ChaseChrome]

I want to add, control and surgically remove your lure from a 53" musky without a landing net and/or cradle :lol: You'd probably end up at the doctors having teeth and hooks surgically removed

:lol: :lol:

 

[salmotrutta]

Watching them torpedo head first into concrete walls over and over again, makes me think netting and manually lifting them upstream was probably easier on them than the current fish ladder design.

I used to always bring a net when I was starting out, then I left it behind once and though I replaced it with another net, I got in the habit of landing fish without it.

Mostly out of laziness now I do not tend to bring one.

Steelhead are super resilient, strong, robust fish

 

[ChaseChrome]

Admittedly a whole number of scenarios which might otherwise dictate netting...was mainly thinking of steelhead...
As I said my question implies no prejudice...
cc

 

[float^drifter]

The rubber nets are great because I can land the fish in the net, remove the hook and set the rod aside while keeping the net in the water while I get the camera ready.

^^

 

[AnglerAnonymous]

For bass fishing I rarely find myself reaching for the net unless I'm using a finesse technique which requires the use of lighter line.

As for river fishing, and I'm by no means an expert so take this into consideration - I was fishing an western trib this november when guy shouts over to me to help him land this fish, handing he his tiny net. I attempted to land the fish but it wouldnt even fit in the net. Water was ice cold but I jumped in with the waders on to land this beauty. Easier said than done, I couldnt get a good grip on it slipped out of my hands several times, Not sure if it was the icy cold november water but it was a pain in the ass

 

[ChaseChrome]

For bass fishing I rarely find myself reaching for the net unless I'm using a finesse technique which requires the use of lighter line.

As for river fishing, and I'm by no means an expert so take this into consideration - I was fishing an western trib this november when guy shouts over to me to help him land this fish, handing he his tiny net. I attempted to land the fish but it wouldnt even fit in the net. Water was ice cold but I jumped in with the waders on to land this beauty. Easier said than done, I couldnt get a good grip on it slipped out of my hands several times, Not sure if it was the icy cold november water but it was a pain in the ass

Like anything else bro...it's an acquired skill.​

​

TIP:​

Many people don't know when you turn a fish over on its' back it won't thrash.​

​

 

[apz245]

As a net user I'm happy to discuss this. I'm not really "pro" or "anti" net, I just like to try to do what I think will provide the best outcome for myself and the fish.

Even though I've never really taken pictures with fish I can understand GnT's perspective, it is nice to be able to share them with friends and family.

Pics aside though, I think there are a few other things to consider with net use and I'd be happy if others could comment on my perspective to help improve my understanding of best practices and also to help me gain insight in to the reasons behind other people's preferences.

I found steelheads tails (or the one that I had to release anyways) were really well suited to the no-net landing. They're firm and large...very easy to keep a hold on them.

Bass can be another story...

Most of the time, when the fish is hooked nicely in the side or top of the mouth, I can just grab the fish by the jaw and pop the hook out while it is still in the water. This way the body is supported, there is no impact, and very little, if any, slime is removed.

The trouble is when you are dealing with a large, energetic fish-- or a fish that is hooked too deep or in an awkward manner.

In cases such as these I find it hard to bring them in properly without a net...as you either have to clamp down on their bodies very firmly (which isn't good for them) or grab them by the jaw to bring them out (in which case they shake around violently and sometimes injure their mouths). I hardly ever use nets on smaller bass but when I'm dealing with something sizable I like to use them because it prevents me from either clamping down on the jaw really hard and having the fish damage itself; clamping down on the body hard and injuring the fish's organs (and removing protective slime); or (and yes I've done this many times by accident) dropping the bass in the boat when it shakes free at which point it flops around like crazy removing a ton of slime and damaging god know what else lol.

A lot of people simply grab the jaw and then support the body with their hands...this works great but takes off just as much slime as a net IMO.

Look forward to hearing some comments, cheers!

I'm in the same boat, I feel like I have to put a lot more pressure and handle the fish a lot more with my hands when landing without a net, and for salmon/trout i'm more comfortable using them, also a net is safer in a lot of cases for the angler, lots of opportunities to fall in salmon/steelhead fishing

 

[despotiko]

Steelhead are super resilient, strong, robust fish that can handle more then we actually think.

You said it broseph. If I was so worried about the fishes well being I wouldn't be fishing for them in the first place. A net makes sense to me for:
A) Fishing from banks or other difficult areas where landing one by hand is difficult, or even dangerous (for myself not the fish lol)
B.) If I like to take a million pictures of cookie cutter chrome, and want to keep the fish in the water while getting the perfect placement for my custom rod and $500 centerpin.
C) When I am fishing with someone willing to lug it around for me all day. :razz:
D) Fishing out of the boat.

When it comes to river fishing I rarely take fish out the water, unless its worth a pic. Simply pop the hook and let it back to do its thing. And if they do come out wet your hands. My 2 cents!

P.S. Dozer, that pumpum tickling works great! LOL

 

[Porkpie]

Only time I need a net is if I'm fishing off a pier, and it's not because I'm worried about the fishes well being. Bows are hardy fish. Too many guys nancy around over them!

 

[ChaseChrome]

Sometimes water can give the appearance of slime with rubber landing net in pictures when the net has small holes that hold the water. I have found with my net that very minimal slime is left on the net (sometimes it appears otherwise in pictures due to the water). I would notice if there was alot of slime left on the net as I dont rinse it after catching fish, if there were slime it would dry up as a white film and stink in the car on the way home.

The rubber nets are great because I can land the fish in the net, remove the hook and set the rod aside while keeping the net in the water while I get the camera ready.

Helpful post...

 

[[email protected]]

Like anything else bro...it's an acquired skill.​

​

TIP:​

Many people don't know when you turn a fish over on its' back it won't thrash.​

​

also, if you cradle the fish under the belly, it doesn't thrash and squirm like it does when you tail them, this method works really well for for the 3-7lb fish


as for the net debate, no harm to the fish if left in the water, its when you lift it out of the water with the fish in it, personally i only use a landing out of my dads boat, its safer than leaning out over the side since it sits high in the water.

i agree with the resilience of the fish though, since once they get up into the spawning grounds, they are often squeezing between fallen branches an the bottom, as well as shooting through as little as 3 inches of water in some systems. not to mention all the pollution they travel through in lower sections to get to the cleaner waters

 

[staffman]

I'm going to use a net this spring because I have a fused ankle now and fear that I will not be able to do a water release any longer since I fear trying to enter the water with the lack of feeling in my foot. I will have to bank the fish temporarily to remove the hook before I can release it. I'm well beyond worrying about pictures of my fish , so I never take the time for the pose. If i feel that I can get into the water safely , then perhaps I will forget about the net. I fish alone 99% of the time so having a companion help with the release isn't normally a feasible option.