How do you Net?

[cr]

There seems to be two schools of thought on netting fish . I prefer to have the net in the water and to bring the fish to the net , when possible . My partner would rather "scoop" the fish with the net as soon as it comes to the boat . My thinking is that the noise of the net splashing into the water spooks the fish making it bolt or make another run . I try to go over this when fishing with somebody new , just so we are both doing it the same way , and know what to expect . What do you think ??

[Skulley]

Bury the net below the surface and steer the fish over the net without pulling the fish above the surface. If the fish surges, simply move the net aside and try again. Jumping fish and slashing nets are bad news!

Ditto for me.............

BD                   

[Durand Dan]

Personnally I like to steer them into a submerged net. However I've fished with several pros in the Everstart and Stren tournaments and they have wanted to keep the net out of the water thinking it spooks the fish.

[bassmandan]

i keep the net out of the water so that way if the fish surges the line wont rub on the net, but as soon as i see its head near the surface being pulled towards me or any way for that matter, dip the net into the water quick and scoop it up and get it in the boat quickly. i dont like to wait, but if there is a chance to net it i will take it, but there is no sense in rushing a fish that dives

[Cheetam]

I prefer having the net out of the water for the same reason bassmandan said: I don't want the line rubbing on the net.  I think having it in the water also opens you up to having a rod tip and/or a hook getting stuck in the neck if you swing and miss at a hot fish. 

[Buckeye]

Well, I prefer to keep it in the water if I'm fishing alone, but if I have a partner I like to have him wait until the fish comes to the side of the boat before he puts the net in the water. 

I really like my built in net on my Skeeter.  It' an enclsed pole about 5 foot long that has a storage space where my lights are.  I can hang it over my seat when I run from place to place, or I can leave it resting next to the console.  I hold it with my foot.  I can always close it up by pulling on the handle, and store it quickly back in the box for longer runs in rough water.

Eric

[dartag]

I always keep the net out of the water and hold the mesh of the net with my fingers to keep it out of the way.  when the fish is ready i scoop head first if possible.  the other thing i like about having the net out is you are ready if the fish changes directions or sides of the boat.  Like Dan i fished as a co-angler and one of the first pros i had took the time to show me this method and i have used it ever since.


my best method is to yell at Cheetam as he is trying to net my fish.  He is pretty good at it.