netting the big one ...

I was flying to CA this morning and musing about the netjobs I had a Moutcha.  Was it just me, or was netting a PITA.  It got to the point that I'd just try to tail the fish instead of net them.  I don't know if the standard net design works well from a position of being seated on the water.  Perhaps one of the scoop designs with the dropped front lip would work better.  And a slightly shorter handle.  Charles went to the extreme and had a 1 foot handle.  Charles, how did that work?  Anyone else have any thoughts?

-Allen

Tailing a fish with a single hook in it is one thing, but something with a treble, is another.

I borrowed Charle's net for one fish and found it awkward, too. I thought it was too short and out of balance. Maybe something with a 24-30" handle that equaled the weight of the hoop and bag.

I was thinking something along the lines of this:



Although this one by Frabill is huge and pricey (http://www.frabill.com/cgi-bin/frabill/8465?store=spring).  I wonder if they could make a smaller version with a shorter handle for kayak anglers.  I'll ask.

Heck, it might even be nice if the rim floated and I just needed to lead the fish over that lip and scoop up.

-Allen

I was thinking something along the lines of this:



Although this one by Frabill is huge and pricey (http://www.frabill.com/cgi-bin/frabill/8465?store=spring).  I wonder if they could make a smaller version with a shorter handle for kayak anglers.  I'll ask.

Heck, it might even be nice if the rim floated and I just needed to lead the fish over that lip and scoop up.

-Allen


I tried out some floatation around the rim and it's not the way to go. Everytime you go to submerge the net under the fish you have to push against the buoyancy of the floatation and it just makes it that much more harder to land that fish. Somewhere in the handle behind your hand (or in the handle) is the place for it IMO. My 2 cents.

Z

I tried out some floatation around the rim and it's not the way to go. Everytime you go to submerge the net under the fish you have to push against the buoyancy of the floatation and it just makes it that much more harder to land that fish. Somewhere in the handle behind your hand (or in the handle) is the place for it IMO. My 2 cents.

Well, I wasn't talking about the end of the rim floating.  What I have in mind is for the pictured net, with flotation at the bend before it bends down.  Then the rear part of the opening floats and the bended part is below the water.  Then you just lead the fish into the net and scoop up.

-Allen

My folding net with the oversized bag is basically what you are describing. Biggest fish was a good-sized butt (+30#) (chicken if you are in Alaska) and it went in just fine. And as I’m sure you know, Halibut and nets generally don’t mix. I’ve also put my (then) 6 year old in it and carried her around the house. She thought it was great fun (her mother was not amused).   A chunk of Pool Noodle on the leash has saved my net more than once.

Well, I wasn't talking about the end of the rim floating.  What I have in mind is for the pictured net, with flotation at the bend before it bends down.  Then the rear part of the opening floats and the bended part is below the water.  Then you just lead the fish into the net and scoop up.

-Allen

2+2=4..... Aaaaaaah. I see what you mean. Yeah, sounds nice on that net.

Z