do you use a net alot?

[mrpike1973]

hi talking with the guys at work i was surprised when they all said they never use a net. one didnt even have one i use it for bass, pike, eyes i never know where to hold them with a rap in there mouth do most of you use nets or no im just wondering

[SpecialK]

I never used to use a net simply because I didn't have one. I use mine now all the time unless I am panfishing or catch a bass.

[My_Key]

I use mine on walleye and northerns pretty much all the time, bass only on big fish or when multiple treble hooks are involved. I feel there is less stress on the fish if I net it than if I hoist it into the boat. Small bass I usually just lip into the boat. I typically CPR, so it's about quick safe releases for me.

[jmg]

Generally follow what Mr.Key does. Ticks me off to watch the "Pros",on TV, hoist bass into the boat and watch the fish flop all over the place, then lift the fish up to a near horizontal position with the thumb-lip move, hold them up like that for a pd. of time while they yap about something and then, finally, toss the fish back into the water. Wonder how many of those fish die within a week or two? Use the net!!

Mr.Pike, how's the new motor doing?

[reinhard1]

i use a net most of the time for everything except sunfish and small crappies. the larger crappies [when i get one] i use a net for i dont want to rip their lip off. years ago i had no concept of catch and realease, raised poor and ate what we caught. i have been trying not to harm any fish as much as possible so a net is valuable for that. trout in streams and lakes i give special attention and try not to handle them as much as possible unless i want a meal. good luck.

[paceman]

I use mine pretty much all the time.....

[TruthWalleyes]

I net most northerns, Lip all bass unless there is a treble hook hanging out of their mouth, usually grab all walleyes except i'll net the big ones, pan fish get hoisted, unless they're big. I just bought a new net and am very impressed with how well the hooks DO NOT get caught in the net!

Catfish all get netted.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I use a net or one of those lip clamp things almost always except on pan fish.

[solbes]

I lip hoist most bass and will grab most northerns under their chin unless they're thrashing around or are large. Then they get the net. Walleyes, keeper or not, usually get the net treatment. Panfish I hoist.

[jwmiller33]

Theres just something about sticking your hand into/around the mouth of a wildly thrashing fish where there are several extremely sharp treble hooks flying around in every which way, that doesnt seem smart to me.

[pushbutton]

While jr. has a tennis racket sized net that he likes to use, I rarly use one and the only time it is in the boat is if he brings it. All fish are brought in by line or hand and if a big pike is flashing some bling will just use a needle nose to hoist it in. Sure I lose some fish as they toss the lure/hook when try to get them in, but was probably going to release it anyway. Actually when I bring bass in will bring them to the top and let them jump a few times hoping they will toss it......

[TruthWalleyes]

While jr. has a tennis racket sized net that he likes to use, I rarly use one and the only time it is in the boat is if he brings it. All fish are brought in by line or hand and if a big pike is flashing some bling will just use a needle nose to hoist it in. Sure I lose some fish as they toss the lure/hook when try to get them in, but was probably going to release it anyway. Actually when I bring bass in will bring them to the top and let them jump a few times hoping they will toss it......

LOL That's the same thing i do with bass too Quick release!

[NTW]

Anyone use the S2 Slider net? I am thinking of buying one but haven't pulled the trigger. Seems like the best option for using when alone in the boat.

[dfv87]

I used to hate using my net, but since I bought a replacement rubber netting for it, I use it all the time. I fish cranks alot and used to hate digging multiple hooks out of the netting but now it is easy. I will never go back to a nylon net.

[TruthWalleyes]

Anyone use the S2 Slider net? I am thinking of buying one but haven't pulled the trigger. Seems like the best option for using when alone in the boat.

I looked that thing over hard, but it looks to be very weak, and doesn't look like it would last a season. IMO, it's neat, and hopefully they can improve the design, but i wouldn't buy it unless your not worried about buying another one at the end of the season.

[Northlander]

I use my net a lot. Especially when trolling sticks/cranks.

[Down Deep]

For me it depends on the size of the fish. Larger walleyes and northerns I will net. Any walleye under 16 inches I usually hoist or release at the side of the boat while they are still in the water. I use a net more often in cold weather. I will also use a net for all lake trout. My net is a about the size of a tennis racket as well.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

+ 1 Jake

[Ed Carlson]

I use a net about 50% of the time. If I can safely grab a fish, safe for both the fish and for me, I will.

If it's going to be tough on me and the fish then the net is a must. Boating heavy fish with very few exceptions requires a net for safety. Cats are a good example, while sturgeon may be best handled by hand if you know how to do it well.

I use several style of nets for different needs. I most recently got the new Frabill Hiber-Net XL, and like this one a lot.

The New Hiber-Net XL serves me very well on shore and in the boat and the mesh size is easy on fish and my rigs.

[gurkster]

I have a net in the boat and use it as needed.

[BobT]

There are theories that it is better for fish to avoid using nets but I personally don't buy it. When I use a net, which is most of the time, I don't use the net to completely lift the fish. Instead, I use it to support the fish (maybe 50% of the weight) but keep the line tight. This way their slashing around doesn't get them wrapped up in the net, if they should come loose they don't fall onto the deck of my boat or worse, and it's easier and quicker to get them released again.

[Nick Kuhn]

Only use mine for large fish. Anything less than 30" probably can go through it (it is musky sized after all). Almost all the fish I lose are within the first 10 seconds anyway, and not boatside. Getting a net out, getting it slimy and smelly is just a waste of time for most fish.

[NTW]

I looked that thing over hard, but it looks to be very weak, and doesn't look like it would last a season. IMO, it's neat, and hopefully they can improve the design, but i wouldn't buy it unless your not worried about buying another one at the end of the season.

Thanks for the input. I wondered about durability as well.

What did you end up buying?

[TruthWalleyes]

I went with the frabill capture net.

[Fisherman45]

I have never owned a net. I have been out numerous times with people that use nets and have seen at least 5 instances of them taking the fish out of the net and having to get treble hooks out of their hands after the fish went crazy in the net at the time their hand was reaching for the fish and have had to help remove a few of them. On a few bad occasions the hook is caught in the net on one hook and the persons hand on another hook doing a lot of damage to the fish and the hand. I have landed Bass well over 6lbs and Musky over 25lbs by hand with no injuries to me or the fish. But as long as you do what works for you and are comfortable with it the fish should do fine.