Hoop net or cradle -- Which is best?

[rascalP]

I'm new to musky fishing and am gearing up. So, which is best for boating a musky -- hoop net or cradle style. It would seem to me that the cradle style would be the best way to handle and measure the fish, but would also need 2 free hands. Which leads me to another question. Can you realisticlly fish alone. Obviously, 2 in the boat is better than 1. Thanks for any tips and comments

[David Swenson]

Hoop net. I have no desire to try and cradle a green 30 pound muskie. I believe with a net you can usually land the fish a lot quicker and safer for yourself.

With the new net materials from Beckman and Frabil, hoop nets are a lot easier on the fish than they use to be. The nets are very large allowing a fish to remain in the water breathing as you remove hooks and get ready for pictures.

David Swenson
http://muskieguide.homestead.com/

[RK]

Hiya,
Net, by all means, especially if you're new at this stuff. Cradles work ok if you have two experienced people involved, but even then it's sometimes hairy getting a wild fish in one. I know of a couple big fish lost because of cradles, and I've been a part of a couple lesser disasters myself where cradles were involved.

Personal opinion here, but I'd check out a Frabill Power Catch. The frame's solid as can be, and the coated bag is very very fish friendly. I was a total hand lander up until the last couple years, but I'm really getting to rely on nets more and more these days, and I really like the Frabill I've been using.

Cheers,
RK

[EBass]

How much is the frabill net? I have their tip ups and some ice fishing rods. I love that company.

[Fish-n-Freak]

EBass -- Plan on around $100

I would also say NET -- the cradle is bad news. Just picture a 40 pound fish coming in with a lure (3 trebles) and you having your face and both hands right down there in the action.

With the new nets, you can easy fish alone, and net your own fish. Then with the fish still in the water, put down the rod and work on taking out or cutting the hooks. I will usually cut the hooks when I am alone, much quicker and easier on the fish. Holding the net and trying to remove hooks can take a while.

Good Luck!
Steve

[Steve Foss]

Cradle is best overall, and you'll have a measuring device built in so you won't have to take the fish out of the water to measure it, but cradles only really work well when you have at least two in the boat. Can't handle it and a rod at the same time, you see, as a cradle is a two-handed job.

Net is best when alone. In either case, get a rubber one. Easiest on the fish, easy to get hooks out of the net.

------------------
"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 07-31-2003).]

[guideman]

Forget the craddle, I have lost a few monster fish using one. You have to bring them in the boat, otherwise the fish can bolt, after you remove the hooks.

You can do all the work with the fish still safely in the net. Big Fish don't
have much trouble swimming out of your craddle, they can't get out of a net.

I have a Frabill Power Catch and I love it, $120.00 but worth every penny.

------------------

Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
Ace guide service.
aceguideservice.com
218-753-2612
[email protected]

[rascalP]

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'll be getting a hoop net. Wish I would have had it tonight. We went to Wapo for some bass fishing and I brought my muskie rod just in case. We were fishing a flat edge around 8 o-clock and I figured I'ld finish with a topwater (stomper?). Well, sure as **** , I got one, and no net. I've hand landed quite a few big northerns up to 21 lbs, but never a muskie. I was able to get her head out of the water and get the hooks out with her still in the water without any damage to her or me. Now, LESSON LEARNED: --- NO MORE THROWING MUSKIE BAITS WITHOUT PROPER EQUIPMENT -- EVER!!!

BTW, We figured her to be 40-42" and fat. What a rush!! I'm HOOKED!!

rascal