In my understanding over the last couple of decades or so, the use of a keep
net was for weighing the total catch at the match venue, or for carp
recovery in exceptional circumstances, however, i agree that far too many
anglers today, especially the young simply use one when pleasure fishing in
order to look as though they are 'real fishermen' and have little or no
regard for the effects of its use, they are prone to lifting it from the
water without emptying the fish first (this causes distress to the fish and
sometimes damage to their bouyancy control) they often lift to show the next
kid then drop it back in (again more stress). the only way to prevent the
missuse of nets and to protect the fish from the inexperienced out there is
to ban them unless for matches or use by a pleasure fisherman of proven
experience. perhaps an addition to the rod licence may put off the 'show
offs' and the use of nets without proper cause?
just my opinion is all.

"Steve Walker" wrote in message
...
In message , MC
writes

I understand the use of keepnets for match fishing but for
pleasure fishing just seems unecessary to me.

Which bit of pleasure fishing /do/ you consider to be necessary? Used
properly a keepnet does no harm, certainly when compared to catching the
fish in the first place.

--
Steve Walker