“Get the net”.  That statement is heard in fishing boats throughout the Midwest every year.  Sometimes “get the net” is said in a very calm voice, other times it’s more of a shriek, and there might even be a few extra words added to emphasize the urgency in getting the net.  Anglers who are normally polite and calm have been known to refer to the net in graphic terms when a big fish is wallowing at the side of the boat.

 There are several reasons why fish should be netted.  Some anglers think it is better to hand-land fish.  That can be hard on hands, it can be hard on the fish, and it can also result in fish being lost.  Here’s why.  Hand-landing fish, especially fish with crankbaits in their mouth, can be dangerous.  Twice I’ve had northern pike, about four pounders both times, thrash at the boat just as I was attempting to hand-land them.  On these two occasions, one of the lure’s treble hooks stayed firmly imbedded in the fish’s mouth, one of them became firmly imbedded in my hand.  That’s happened to me twice.  I can pretty much guarantee that having a pike with a crankbait in his mouth attached to your hand by a hook will be the low-point of your day.  I don’t try to hand-land northern pike that have crankbaits in their mouths anymore.
 Generally it’s easier on the fish to be netted also.  To land a fish by hand, the fish has to be pretty tired out.  If the fish is too tired, it can’t be effectively released.  By netting the fish, you can get it back in the water while it is still fresh and healthy, which greatly increases its chance for survival.

 Netting the fish is also better if you’re going to keep it.  Fish oftentimes are active and biting for just short periods of time.  If you net the fish, you’re getting it in the boat faster, so you can get your lure back in the water faster.  By doing so, you’re increasing the odds of getting the bait back in front of aggressively feeding fish, which increases your chances for getting bit again.

 Not all nets are created equal.  Some nets wear out quickly and need to be replaced frequently.  Others just aren’t very well constructed and can break when a large fish is in it.  Many anglers prefer the Power Catch and Capture nets that are produced by Frabill.  These nets are extremely strong where the handle meets the hoop, and the net itself resists tangling.

 Fish should always be netted headfirst. If you try tail-first, they will swim out of the net.
 A good net and netting skills will pay big dividends whether you have a big fish or a medium sized one on the line.  For the safety of your hands and the fish, include a good landing net in your boat every time you go fishing. 

 

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