To net or not to net?

[tmusky1]

Hey everybody,

In a fishing report I posted recently, an interesting point was brought up. I don't use a net to land any of the tigers I've caught. In my opinion, having a fish thrash around in a net with exposed treble hooks is just asking for injury to the fish.

I get the fish boatside, get a firm grasp under the jaw, get the hook out, pick the fish up for pics and back in it goes.

The counterpoint to that was the netting method is faster and the quicker you get the fish released the better off it will be.

I'm not saying either method is right or wrong, just asking everyone to chime in with his/her opinions.

[tmusky1]

Hey everybody,

In a fishing report I posted recently, an interesting point was brought up. I don't use a net to land any of the tigers I've caught. In my opinion, having a fish thrash around in a net with exposed treble hooks is just asking for injury to the fish.

I get the fish boatside, get a firm grasp under the jaw, get the hook out, pick the fish up horizontally for pics and back in it goes.

The counterpoint to that was the netting method is faster and the quicker you get the fish released the better off it will be.

I'm not saying either method is right or wrong, just asking everyone to chime in with his/her opinions.

[tmusky1]

mods please delete my second post, I'm not sure what happened there

[Matt]

I think there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing to net or not. The biggest factor in my mind is the quality of the net. Small, untreated knotless mesh is a must, and for hoop style nets something with a long flat bottom section will help out a ton so that the fish lays naturally in the bottom of the net and can't roll up in the mesh ensnaring itself. The Beckman Pen Fin-Saver may be the best catch and release net on the market for BIG fish and might be something to look into, the downside is the 200$ pricetag. Cradle style nets seem to work very well for northers and musky and again, fine knotless mesh is used to protect the fishes skin. In most cases I WILL net the fish before release, I feel it is more effective in calming the fish so they aren't thrashing about. Consider your safety as well as the fishes, a large fish with trebles in its mouth thrashing about could inflict bodily harm to you, not just themselves.

Here is a picture of a native steelhead I caught this year on the Sky. I have a Gibbs landing net with small mesh, light net treatment, and a flat bottom, note how the fish lays naturally in the bottom of the bag with little if any stress.

[kevinb]

I personally prefer a net,especially for bigger fish. There are many benefits such as being able to keep
the fish in the water if the unhooking process becomes more surgical and time consuming but it also depends on the net itself,as some are not treated and a thinner diameter causing more split fins,thus, more stress on the fish. Cradles are another option but very difficult to operate if your fishing solo or your angling partner isn't familiar with using it. Another drawback to not using any sort of landing device is the risk of a headshake and getting a set of trebles in your hands with a musky going ape****,it would only take a second to to ruin your trip and head to the nearest emergency room for stitches and no fishing for awhile. This happened to a fellow at Merwin earlier this year.
Anyhow,just my $.02. Best of luck out there.
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