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Landing Nets Why Use A Landing Net? Landing Nets vary in sizes, depending on the type and size of fish. A Landing Net with a large hoop and long handle is made for species like muskellunge and northern pike. If you are after salmon, make use of a strong, metal-framed net that is large enough to carry a big fish. On the contrary, it is good to use one with a short handle for trout and other small species. Aside from the fact that having a Landing Net can give you more assurance that you will be able to catch the fish successfully, a Landing Net can also serve as a safe ground of removing the fish from the water as well as the process of unhooking the fish. The fish will go berserk once you start unhooking it. What's worse is that it can break your Fishing Line or even hurt you. Remember that some species have rough scales or sharp fins. It will also be some torture to the fish if you let it flop on the ground or in your boat until such time that you are finished unhooking it. It would be better if you proceed on unhooking while the fish is still in the Landing Net.
A
Landing Net can aid you in almost any, if not all, fishing
situations. Bring one every time you go fishing. Why Use A Landing Net? There are several reasons to use a landing net. First of all, a net allows an angler to get the fish to the shore or in the boat quicker. As long as that fish is in the water, it has a chance to throw the hook. The sooner you can get the fish on shore or in the boat, the better your chances of landing it, and a net enables you to get the fish on the shore or in the boat faster. If you are planning on releasing the fish, this is the better reason to net it. The shorter the fight, the better the chances are for a fish's successful release. Some modern nets are constructed with the well-being of the fish in mind. Also, when the bite is hot, since you can land a fish quicker with the net, you can get your bait back out to the biting fish faster, which increases the chance for getting another bite. Hot bites often don't last very long, so we want to take full advantage of active fish when we can. Netting them enables us to do so.
Lastly,
nets protect angler's hands from sharp hooks. Hand-landing a fish
can result in a hook getting into a hand, especially when crankbaits
are being used. A hook in the hand is no fun and can cut a fishing
trip short. Nets greatly reduce hooks getting in hands. How To Use A Landing Net Just because we can land the fish quicker with a landing net, that doesn't mean we should rush the net-job. You want to tire the fish enough to be able to lead it into the net head-first. If you try to pull the net up behind the fish, it will often display one final burst of power. That one final burst of power will sometimes enable the fish to escape.
Don't
put the net in the water until you can sweep the net down and lift
the fish in one motion. Nets that are in the water while the fish is
thrashing often catch hooks that are in the fish's mouth. Those hooks
then pull free from the fish, and if the fish is not in the net,
hooks pulling free are a bad thing. There are different nets for different purposes.
They
come in different types and sizes, depending on the type and size of
fish and the area where you will be using it. Most nets typically
come in one of three basic shapes. A teardrop, a scooper or a D-hoop configuration.
The
landing nets center is considered the sweet spot. If the average
size fish you catch is 12"-20" then a net with a hoop size
of 17" x 19" or a 20" x 23" would be more than
adequate. There's usually plenty of extra room to handle the
occasional larger than average fish. The depth of the nets mesh bag
also plays a major role in successfully landing fish. Longer bodied
fish like Musky, Pike and Salmon require a deeper net. Remember the
bigger the fish, the deeper the net bag. Mesh Styles of Nets Not only should you determine what size net you need, you should also consider the netting material itself. If you plan to fish once or twice a year then you can get by with a less expensive net that typically offers a general purpose polyethylene or other inexpensive plastic type knotted mesh. If you plan to be an every weekend fisherman or at least as much as you can, then I would look for a higher performance net for improved product longevity. Look for a net that has a more durable nylon netting. These nets usually offer a special "dipped" coating that seals the individual net strands to prevent hooks from penetrating the mesh and snagging up.
If
your day of fishing plans to be "Catch
and Release" do not use a
traditional knotted mesh net. Knotted mesh nets can rough-up game
fish removing their scales and protective slime coat, scratching eyes
and splitting fins. Net-roughed fish, especially trophy sized
specimens, run greater risk of contacting a fungus or infection which
can make them a casualty thus defeating the purpose of Catch and
Release. You should consider using a knotless mesh that's smoother
and designed to minimize roughing. Mesh Size
Mesh
sizes vary. Most landing nets designed for standard freshwater
applications for small to medium size fish utilize a 1" mesh. As
you move up in hoop size and larger fish , the mesh will be heavier
and range from 1-1/4" to 1-3/4". On larger hoops and deeper
net bags the mesh size should be larger to reduce drag and overall
weight. The larger mesh allows for an easier sweep and quicker drainage. Handle Length and Styles
All
landing nets feature some sort of a handle. Choosing the right
length and style can dramatically improve your netting efficiency. A must feature for any boater is a net that offers a sliding handle design. This allows the net to collapse down for easy storage and transport. Having the right landing net for the situation can maximize your fish catching success and convenience. Keep the above ideas in mind and you'll be using a landing net more effectively.
You
can purchase a Landing Net here at Our FUNdamentals
of Fishing Store via Amazon.com
If
you have
any hints, suggestions, techniques or anything that you would like to share
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