FLW vs Bassmasters

[bucketmouth64]

I have a curious question about why the FLW Tour can use a landing net and Bassmasters Tour cannot. Isn't the Bassmasters the only one not able to use a net?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bucket-

Its all in thier rules..Both bassmasters and FLW are run by two totally different companies... And thuse have different rules.. Bassmasters have made the stance that nets can remove the important slime coat off the fish and then can dammage the fish..

I myself feel this... If you watch the bassmaster, most of them will wing a fish over the edge of their boat. I think this is just as dammaging to the fish.

Whish is right?. I dont know?... But rules are rules...Thats why they are different!

[bucketmouth64]

Thanks Deitz, I kinda figured you would have the answer. I agree that swinging the fish in is also damaging. Many times the fish land in the bottom of the boat which can take the slime coating off when the fish flop around the carpeting.

[Deitz Dittrich]

No prob... I really think its a safety issue as well. Landing a fish that has a face full of treble hooks is down right dangerous! I personally was in a tounament once, early in my tournament carrer where a guy went to grab a pike and ended up with a treble hook with all 3 of one hook burried past the barb.. I tell you I almost threw chunks just looking at it!

I rarely if ever use a net fishing for fun.. no matter what species, but in a tournament when you already are not thinking 100 percent, I am all for it.. And it stops people from swinging fish as well...However, thats just my opinion!

[fisher98]

I think that you are also looking past the fact that landing fish by hand takes some skill. It allows for more drama because there tends to be more fish lost when you don't have a net....landing fish is just another intricate tool that anglers must be capable of executing.

Plus when the tournies are aired on tv, some people would rather see an angler lose a big fish, and see them throw a tantrum, insteading a landing a fish.....more drama=equals=better plot and ratings!!!!

fisher98

[mnbass2002]

i was just reading my bassmater april 2001 the one where dean rojas set the record with 5 fish 45-2 pounds they have a photo of him and his am is using a net on one of his fish. so i think they can use nets. i believe this rule was changed in 2000?

[fisher98]

I believe they changed it again.....and i know for sure that they couldn't use them in the Bassmaster Classic. They have gone back and forth in this area of their tournaments...one year they use them, the next they don't.....but i do believe it has been a few years since they have used the nets in their tournaments.

fisher98

[EBass]

Hmm, HT with no comment on swinging bass.

I like to lip the bass and get "bass thumb"! I never swing a bass. Sometimes I'll pull it up and grab the line then lip it when its small, otherwise I'm kneeling with my rod in one hand and trying to get the bass with the other.

[river rat316]

Isnt there a story about BM and lipping smallies from this fall I would use the net on the big girls but thats just me, but since Im always wading the net option is not there!

[EBass]

Oh you heard about that too? LOL

[HawgTide]

I'll swing them in, but I don't let them hit the floor. EBass, you have to lip them, because you're using that 8lb test line.