Nets
Keep Nets
Most modern coarse-species anglers use keepnets whether for specimen hunting, pleasure angling, or competition fishing. The match-man obviously needs to weigh in his catch at the end of the match to establish who wins the prize. The keepnet enables him to do so without killing the fish. Pleasure anglers once used to return fish as soon as they were unhooked. Nowadays we often carry a camera and record the catch;in photographs. The keepnet enables us to do this with no damage to the fish. Specimen hunters often keep a very detailed log of their catches, recording weight, girth and length and other details. They too find the keepnet a valuable accessory.
The important thing about these differing groups of anglers is that they all return their catch alive as soon as possible.
Most modern coarse-species anglers use keepnets whether for specimen hunting, pleasure angling, or competition fishing. The match-man obviously needs to weigh in his catch at the end of the match to establish who wins the prize. The keepnet enables him to do so without killing the fish. Pleasure anglers once used to return fish as soon as they were unhooked. Nowadays we often carry a camera and record the catch;in photographs. The keepnet enables us to do this with no damage to the fish. Specimen hunters often keep a very detailed log of their catches, recording weight, girth and length and other details. They too find the keepnet a valuable accessory.
The important thing about these differing groups of anglers is that they all return their catch alive as soon as possible.
Landing Nets
Watching the expert match angler swinging small fish directly to his hand, a
beginner might be misled into thinking all fish can be landed like this. A quick glance at the bankside equipment, however, should dispel the thought at once.
There will certainly be a landing net made up, in position, and ready to hand.
When the match man merely feels a fish of better proportions he gently subdues it, and reaching at once for the landing net, gets the fish ashore.
Watching the expert match angler swinging small fish directly to his hand, a
beginner might be misled into thinking all fish can be landed like this. A quick glance at the bankside equipment, however, should dispel the thought at once.
There will certainly be a landing net made up, in position, and ready to hand.
When the match man merely feels a fish of better proportions he gently subdues it, and reaching at once for the landing net, gets the fish ashore.
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Technique
However well a net is made or designed for its particular purpose, it must be properly and effectively used. To chase a fish around with a net is as foolish as is attempting to swing too big a fish to hand. The fish must be under full control when brought to net. The net should then be lowered well into the water and held still until the fish can be brought safely over its rim. The net is raised sufficiently to prevent escape as the rod tip is lowered. |
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