Go back to previous topic
Forum nameTrophy Fishing Forum
Topic subjectRE: Net
Topic URLhttp://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=5&topic_id=11272&mesg_id=11277
11277, RE: Net
Posted by Nico, Thu May-14-09 12:29 PM
Netting fish by yourself can be tough. Especially for swimbait fish, the best way to get the fish in the net is to reel it straight to the boat and get it in the net before it has a chance to start fighting. Most of the fish I've lost while fishing by myself were when I stopped reeling to pick up the net. It gives the fish a chance to make a move, which can be bad. I've lost fish due to reaching for the net too soon (fish get the chance to wrap you up or jump) and reaching for it too late (fish can straighten or pull out hooks on a short leash).

Best advice I can give is:

* Keep the net within easy reach (obviously). On the deck behind me is often a good place.
* Grab the net about half-way through the fight, when you think the fish is clear of obstacles
* At this time put the net in front of you hanging over the water, ready to use at a moments notice
* When the fish nears the boat don't reel it too close to the rod tip. Leave 10-15 feet of line out and pull the fish towards the net by raising the rod over your head and slightly behind you. Net the fish as far away from the boat as possible.

Those Butch Brown videos show how to net a fish in a tiny boat fairly well, although I usually don't wait that long to get the net in position. The key part for me is being in perfect netting position long before the fish has neared the boat.