Net techniques for releasing fish

garyk · 07-09-2002, 12:31 PM

Thanks for your concern about the proper handling of fish destined to be released.

Research has shown that one of the best things you can do is NOT remove the fish's gills from water. It's better to leave the fish in the water and minimize handling.

Also, using a cotton-type net that is wet does less damage to the skin and mucous layer than the plastic/poly nets. Common for trout, these nets are unfortunately harder to find in the salmon/steelhead sizes.

speyfly · 07-09-2002, 12:43 PM

I agree with GaryK. One type of net that is getting great results is the rubber mesh landing nets. Here is a couple of links regarding the latest research in C&R.
http://www.asf.ca/release/science.html
http://www.lifr.org/CatchRelease.htm

TL's
Dennis

Pitch Pocket · 07-09-2002, 12:47 PM

I normally hold the loose end of the net against the handle until I get under the fish. Then I let it go and the full bag of the net unfolds to get the fish. When I am going to release, I don't let the net go completely, but create a small "basket" or a sort of dished platform that I hold the fish on and remove the hook. Of course this requires a smaller fish than a 25 or 30 pounder, but it worked well for the small chinook and silvers at the CR buoy.

M W Sheller · 07-09-2002, 04:18 PM

Being a spinner only fisherman, I have the option to break off any fish that I get to the boat, and identify as being one that I want to release. It works about 95% of the time. If I have played a fish to long, It's pretty manigable, so I can get it into calm water and work on reviving the fish. This has worked for me on all but one wild fish that I could not revive.
I would like to find a cotton net in salmon/steelhead size. That would give me the option of netting a fish that I plan to release.

monoman · 07-09-2002, 04:39 PM

Cotton Nets!
There is not a cotton net made in the large sizes. Reasons are many, but yardage quotas seem to be the reason of choice. Price would be above what most would pay is second on the list.
A shallow bag, made of soft, less abrasive netting has worked will for me. Both Fishermans and GI Joes stock this net. Large, deep bags, with metal clips, do not help in a quick, healthy release.

07-09-2002, 04:42 PM

Sounds like someone should go into the all cotton net business in a large size. They used to make em. All my father-in-law ever used.

Rick

skein · 07-09-2002, 04:58 PM

I think you're right about the soft-net business. I wonder if Jennie would let us call it the "ifish net"?

Skein

chuck 'n' duck · 07-09-2002, 05:21 PM

Don't they make a rubber-coated netting. I might be mistaken, but I think I have seen Terry Mulkey using this type. I have never seen one in any of the major fishing shops, but I'm sure it wouldn't take much web surfing to find a website to purchase one at.

CnD

skein · 07-09-2002, 05:46 PM

Yeah, CnD, they do make a rubber one, and I have one, but it's not near big enuf for chromies. You gotta get 'em wet, wet, wet before you touch a fish with them, though. I guess that's the same for all nets. But they also have big, wide mesh that fish really spot. Having used it on the little guys doesn't make me want to buy a big one for the nooks.

Skein

monoman · 07-09-2002, 07:09 PM

Rubber coating a knotted hard nylon net......is now a harder net. The coatings are not rubber, but a rubber like product. The soft bags that give with the fish are better than one's that scrape slime and scales as the net tries to mold to the fish. Knots are not good either, the best would be a knotless bag. Oregon Trout tried to make cotton bags the law, Bill Monroe even thought it might be a good idea and printed it.

John · 07-09-2002, 10:39 PM

They have large rubber coated soft nets at Fishermens. They are designed to be easier on fish. I know that some guides have these nets and they are plenty big for large chinook and have eight or ten foot handles. The down side is they run around $120.

skein · 07-09-2002, 11:54 PM

I know the best way to release a wild fish is to never put it in the net, but sometimes it seems like I *have* to. Are there types of nets that are easier on fish, or are there techniques you use to minimize the damage?

I'm pretty new to the board, so if this has already been discussed, sorry for the clutter. Just point me to the archives and I'll go look.

Skein

Fishplay · 07-10-2002, 05:39 AM

I think the net your talking about John is the Beckman. I own the biggest one they make and love it. But you will have to get off your wallet if you want one. Its all alluminum .... hoop, yoke and handle. And the yoke is welded. You will not find better quality and mine will handle a 48lbr just like the one seen in the Statesman Journal without a problem. I like to net the fish and then rest the net on the gunnel of my boat leaving the fish in the sack in the water. I try not to touch the fish but always wet my hands first if I have to. Just slip the hooks out with a pair of needle point pliars and lower the net.

Jim · 07-10-2002, 05:53 AM

I don't net Kings...they are pretty easy to just grab the hook as they swim by...it may take a couple of passes but if you have a pair of long needle nose pliers its not to much of a chore and the fish swims away without even seeing a net. Silvers are a different story...they won't hold still...I have a Frabill Power Catch coated net that doesn't takes scales. I try to just cradle with the net those that I have to release.

Jim

skein · 07-10-2002, 07:22 AM

Jim

Where did you get that Frabill net? It works pretty well, eh? That may be what I need.

Skein

HOGTIDE · 07-10-2002, 02:36 PM

Just saw the Frabrill coated nets at Gresham GI Joes this morning. I believe the chinook sized ones were $89.

It kinda appears to me like the coated nets would almost be tougher on the fish than a natural fiber??? The only advantage to the coated is that it stops the stupid hook from sticking into the net when you sack the fish and go through all that turmoil of getting him out.

My best advice is still...Don't Net The Fish, if you intend to release it. If you calm down, the fish 'will' calm down. Try not to make any quick arm/hand movement while holding the pliers still. Allow the person with the rod to work the fish within close range of your needle nose;grab the hook by the shank and quickly ' push', reversing the barb. Don't pull on the hook!

We've released all kinds of wild steelies and chinook the past 3 weeks, and every one of them has given a good tail kick, splash to the face and swam away.

Oh, sure...a few surface and float on their side a bit downstream, but...kidding :tongue: ...I'm just kidding!

John · 07-10-2002, 09:23 PM

Yes, fishmen it was a Beckman net that I was thinking of. Very nice net and easy on the fish but not on the pocket book. However, it is worth it if one needs to net fish to get the hooks out. Those Owners do not feel to good in the hand.