I have never used a net for landing fish, although there have been a few times I wish I’d had one. I am thinking of making the change. For those that do use them, or have, do they really make it easier to land fish? What’s the best way to attach them to a vest?
Jeff
dead fish don’t make reel music
I use a small net attached with a magnetic connection to the D ring on back of my vest. Net hangs there and when needed simply give it a tug. Also has a lanyard attached to the same D ring so when I leave it in the water it does not float too far away. Have to be careful in heavy brush as have had net catch on a tree limb, pull loose and them come back at me striking me in the back. Overall, I love the set up. Also, been advised if practicing C&R to wet the net before introducing a fish just as you may wet your hands. Finally, the net is the C&R style with small, mesh net material as opposed to the old knotted rope type. In general I think it makes it easier to land the fish ? less handling of the fish and a quicker and cleaner release.
I once caught a Bluegill - now no one needs a net for Bluegill. Except this time - I had to keep that fish because no one and I mean no one was going to believe me.
Problem was I was using a 6x tippet on a 3wt fly rod and couldn?t get hold of the thing! Like I said No one was going to believe me. Finally my tippet broke and away swam the fish. How big was it ? Like I said no one would have believed me!
The following day a little girl caught the state record out of the same cove. It was 4+ pounds! If I had just had a net someone might believe me!
Let No One Walk Alone
><))))‘>------<’((((><
Bill
Ubecha. I’m often clumsy. The net gives me the chance to tuck the rod away or even fasten it to the vest and fetch forceps while the fish remains under control, not stressed, in the water. I attach the magnet to the net end so the handle is a quick reach (also flops around less), and lanyard to the handle and belt (can even let it go briefly to float if needed this way). Forget retractors for this; they’ll drive you nuts. Then I can pick up the fish in one hand and remove the hook with the other (let the lanyard take care of the net). No juggling multiple loose things.
Often, the hook is out in the net before I get to it.
Also, a Handy Measure on one side of the handle, a Quick Seine on the other. Great stuff. If you have a choice, get a vest with a net pocket - prevents the snagging problem while walking through the woods. Just separate the magnet and shove it in.
Keepeth they back cast out of the freakin’ flora.
I need a net, no doubt because I only fish from the bank
I always have a net I can use it if needed if not I just leave it on the magnet on my vest D ring out of the way.
PanFisher:
I believe you, had the same thing happen to me a few years back. Was fishing on Square Lake (Washington County, Minnesota) for trout (stocked lake) when a Bluegill hit my Prince Nymph.
The hit was so sudden, that my Gatti 3wt, popped out of my grip. Reaching out to catch my fly rod before it hit the water to disappear forever, I ended up with a bad case of Tendinitis in my right arm. Which ended my fishing season.
Minnesota fish take a long time to get big, because the short summer season. This Bluegill was 13 inches in diameter, it would have covered a dinner plate.
I released it back into the lake, there are so few of these large Bluegills left. ~Parnelli
After losing (line popping) my third decent trout (and fly) in SW Wisconsin when it thrashed when I was just about to bring it to hand, I went out and bought a net. Planned to use it only for larger fish. I’ve only used it once so far on a feisty smallie in Ohio.
I keep mine in the back pocket of my vest… have to remind myself to check to make sure it’s still there after hiking through the woods. My uncle found one hanging from a tree branch once.
I have lost them in the brush when hanging from a magnetic holder when the magnet was attached to the handle. But attaching it as described by the following link and using a lanyard attached to the net and the Dring on the back of the vest as described has worked out well. [url=http://www.brodin.com/How%20to%20Carry%20a%20Net.htm:27408]http://www.brodin.com/How%20to%20Carry%20a%20Net.htm[/url:27408]
I forgot to add that to attach the mating part of the magnetic holder to my net required that I get a brass ring ended screw from Home Depot.
I always use a net, it’s faster and puts less stress on the fish.
It must be easy to release a fish when you are in the water. Most of the waters would burn a hole in any waders that set foot in them. Either that or they would glow a bright green and emit radiation.
I actually plan on wading a part of the mystic river. No, i dont have waders but i have shorts…
I use a rubber net, it won’t catch your hook, and it is so much easier on the fish as it will not scrape the slime on them. If you go to the thread on fishing photos, you can see my rubber net behind the pig rainbow I landed.
Correction, my photo is under the amnesia thread.
Flying Fisherman in AK
Another feature I like on a net is its resistance through the water. I like to use my net to catch shad and other bait fish.