Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[blueheeler]

Stupid question but I'm just wondering if you guys use nets to land your fish? I'm only asking because i see a lot of people who seem to just try to land their fish using their hands, feet, shore...seems like a net would be easier and better for the fish. It would be a hassle to drag through the woods but you can;t ahve everything.

newbie to the fishing world.

[Gooey]

I take a net on a rare occasion to the vedder (to one or 2 runs during red spring season).  Yes they are a pain to carry which is why most fishermen dont use them (IMHO). as well, most nets are damaging to a fish's slime coat so nets should be used carefully...ie not for catch and release fish. 

Most people here arent hardcore meat fishermen and will end up releasing a lot of fish so I would guess most people here dont use nets.  As well if you are not fishing for the meat then you are fishing to experience the battle, netting a green fish makes beaching it easier but if you plan to put it back, I think the concensus is to enjoy the fight and not rush it.

A lot of the local (n van) fishermen have probably seen eric carlile tube a steelhead for the hatchery program.  he wont put a fish in the tube until its lieing on its side totaly exhausted from the battle.  As long as the fish is properly revived, it can endure a good long battle.  I have put 10-15 minutes into reviving a fish (holding it head up into the current until it regains its strength)...as long as you take your time after the battle too, the fish should be alright.

[clarki]

Not when I'm driffishing a flow. I like to walk about (run and gun, so to speak) and having to keep remembering to pick up the net, or walking back to where you last dropped it, is a pain.

If I know I'll be parking my ark in one spot in some of the sloughs and spincasting then I'll take it along.   

[Sterling C]

I can think of one day last year when I lost 6 coho right at my feet because I did not have a net which is kinda necessary to fish that spot. That however, is a rare occasion and in most circumstances a net is more burdomsome than helpful. The only time I would ever bring a net with me is if I knew I would be fishing a spot with no acess to shallow water to land fish and I was planning on keeping whatever I was fishing for. Some nets do not hamr fish but there is no way I'm putting a big toothy critter in my $60 net.

[Fish Assassin]

I find landing the fish easier by simply beaching it. If I'm releasing the fish I just leave it in the water while I unhook it.

[steelieman]

Tough to walk around with a net. I normally do not fish one same location. Its not easy to drag along a net with you as you walk from island to island.....

I can think of a few times that it would have come in handy.

[Spudcote]

If fishing from the boat in the river, then yes, i do carry a net, but I find a gaff more comfortable, and in the right hands, can be used easily for catch and release too.

As for wading, no net, just get the fish into shallow water so that it is no longer "upright" and "rush it" while it sits there, tail it, unhook it and gently move it back to deeper release-able water. With smaller fish (pinks) get it close to you, then slide the rod behind you (no bend in the rod), and grab the line itself, handline the rest and unhook from there. The second method DOES NOT work on larger fish.

[bentrod]

beaching the fish is easier than netting it.  More fish are lost by people who don't know how to net a fish.  I carry one only if I plan on taking a large spring back with me.  My buddy and I can just use it like a bucket and it makes a great carrier for a couple fish.