Netting Bass

How do you do it? I see a lot of net men leaning over the side of the boat
with the net poised above the water. That always bothers me, because the
fish always panics when it sees that net coming in at it. I have also had
the line bonked by the net and fish come free at that moment.

I don't have too much trouble netting my own fish (when I remember to have
the net ready LOL), and my method seems to work pretty well for netting a
partner's fish. I use a longer handle net than most folks, and when fishing
with my son I also use a wider walleye style net.

I like to put the net in the water so that the head is submerged about 18
inches below the surface. Then I try to swim the fish up over where I can
naturally sweep the net up under him. It seems to work pretty well fishing
solo, and with partners I fish with regularly I can do that effectively for
them as well. Even when they decide at the last minute to swing the fish in
the boat I can follow it up with the net, and a couple times I have saved a
partner's catch when a fish came loose and fell directly into the net that
was sweeping up under it.

I'm sure there are flaws in my method, so I would be glad to hear what
others do to be good on the net.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com

Bob La Londe wrote:
How do you do it? I see a lot of net men leaning over the side of the boat
with the net poised above the water. That always bothers me, because the
fish always panics when it sees that net coming in at it. I have also had
the line bonked by the net and fish come free at that moment.

I don't have too much trouble netting my own fish (when I remember to have
the net ready LOL), and my method seems to work pretty well for netting a
partner's fish. I use a longer handle net than most folks, and when fishing
with my son I also use a wider walleye style net.

I like to put the net in the water so that the head is submerged about 18
inches below the surface. Then I try to swim the fish up over where I can
naturally sweep the net up under him. It seems to work pretty well fishing
solo, and with partners I fish with regularly I can do that effectively for
them as well. Even when they decide at the last minute to swing the fish in
the boat I can follow it up with the net, and a couple times I have saved a
partner's catch when a fish came loose and fell directly into the net that
was sweeping up under it.

I'm sure there are flaws in my method, so I would be glad to hear what
others do to be good on the net.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com


Bob,

I also place the net in the water and allow my partner to guide the fish
in. If I am alone, 99% of the time I swing the fish, unless it is too
large then I lip it. Only in competition do I net all my fish, and if
I am alone I put the net in the water and guide the fish in.

Chris

Bob La Londe wrote:
How do you do it? I see a lot of net men leaning over the side of the boat
with the net poised above the water. That always bothers me, because the
fish always panics when it sees that net coming in at it. I have also had
the line bonked by the net and fish come free at that moment.

I don't have too much trouble netting my own fish (when I remember to have
the net ready LOL), and my method seems to work pretty well for netting a
partner's fish. I use a longer handle net than most folks, and when fishing
with my son I also use a wider walleye style net.

I like to put the net in the water so that the head is submerged about 18
inches below the surface. Then I try to swim the fish up over where I can
naturally sweep the net up under him. It seems to work pretty well fishing
solo, and with partners I fish with regularly I can do that effectively for
them as well. Even when they decide at the last minute to swing the fish in
the boat I can follow it up with the net, and a couple times I have saved a
partner's catch when a fish came loose and fell directly into the net that
was sweeping up under it.

I'm sure there are flaws in my method, so I would be glad to hear what
others do to be good on the net.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com


Bob
I like to use a net the same as you described but some people I fish
with like a more aggressive approach. When I fish with a new person I
ask them If they want me to just hold the net and let them swim it in
or if I should try to get the fish as soon as possible. Of course the
fish can change the best laid plans and if it looks like its about to
do a last minute head shake with one hook of the rear treble in its
mouth its tough to hold back. If I have a jig hook through the roof of
its mouth I almost never use a net at all.

Shane

Unless I'm misreading you, it sounds too me like you're putting the net
awfully deep in the water. First things first -- I never use a net when
I'm fishing alone or when I'm fun fishing. Just one more thing I don't
want cluttering up the boat. When I'm fishing in a team tourney, I do
take advantage of the net, at least when I'm fishing real light line or
when I'm cranking/jerkbaiting. I like the net in the water at about a 45
degree angle with about half the hoop submerged, then I lead the fish
into it or instruct my partner to do the same.