Landing net technique

Landing net technique…

Am I alone in finding landing nets awkward to use when fishing on my own? Has anyone developed a technique to make it easy to net large fish like barbel, carp and pike?

errr... standing up makes it easier, using your underarm to support the handle. Personally don't have that many problems?

Hello klik2change,

Get your self a Landing Net Float, if you don't know what it is it is just a piece of foam that attaches to your landing net handle near the net.
It allows you to put your landing net on top of the water and rest the handle on the floor, then you can hold the handle with minimal pressure, then draw the fish over the net and lift, it's a lot easier than standing holding the landing net and the Rod.

A couple of suggestions. Firstly make sure the net and frame are adequate for the fishing you are doing. I generally use a Whitlock net, in the large size, theframe is aluminium and it is superb. Then make sure the handle extends to a decent length if required, and is as light as possible. I am currently using a Drennan Super Specialist handle and I am very happy with it. I have no problems landing fish and I usually fish alone

I remember reading somewhere about putting swan shot on the bottom of the net to help it sink. That might work well with the foam. The foam is a really good idea.

Wetting the net, should be enough to make it sink, no need to put shot on it.

Foam pipe lagging from B&Q or Wickes etc... works just as well as the things you can buy as branded net-floatation devices.

Generally though I have no problems netting fish - as long as they are ready for netting you should be able to draw them over the edge quite easily.

I did though have a chub the other day that tried to trick me by waiting until I'd netted him then trying a salmon-esque leap for freedom back out again.

Paul Howarth said:

Foam pipe lagging from B&Q or Wickes etc... works just as well as the things you can buy as branded net-floatation devices.

Generally though I have no problems netting fish - as long as they are ready for netting you should be able to draw them over the edge quite easily.

I did though have a chub the other day that tried to trick me by waiting until I'd netted him then trying a salmon-esque leap for freedom back out again.

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Its always a ****** when you have to lnad a fish twice

The Net float is a good idea, I tend to squat down when playing/landing a fish, making less of a commotion on the bank and less likely to spook the fish. At the last moment I will only then turn on my head torch to land the fish.

The biggest mistake newcomers make is attempting to lift big fish out of the water with an outstretched net.
To net a big fish, get your net in the water a little ahead of the time to net it, so it soaks and sinks. Trap the pole between your legs, or ensure some of the net's still on the bank so it doesn't float away.
When the fish comes in, get the net out into the landing spot, and slide THE FISH OVER THE NET and then lift the top of the net frame out of the water, not the whole net. Now pull the handle back towards you, bagging the fish while it's still in the water. DON'T LIFT THE FISH OUT yet.
Open the bail arm of your reel and chuck your rod down to one side. Then lift the net and fish out of the water with the net frame or net itself, at the spreader block, NOT with the landing net handle. The net comes out of the water with the handle in a more or less vertical position, if you get my drift.

Dave Slater said:

I have no problems landing fish and I usually fish alone

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Never mind, I'll fish with you Dave.

I've used a John Wilson rover type net, well for probably longer than JW, with a 6' telescopic handle (modified to stay at about 4' until the extra length is needed) and never had a problem landing fish alone. I usually have about half the length of the net tied back to the handle with a strong elastic band, this will pull lose with a bigger fish. As above, I always ship the handle back and lift holding the rim AND handle
I will add I only ever fish for decent fish, no carp or barbel.

Had the same L.N. for over 30 years, with to occasional replacement net/frame and handle

john m h said:

Never mind, I'll fish with you Dave.

I've used a John Wilson rover type net, well for probably longer than JW, with a 6' telescopic handle (modified to stay at about 4' until the extra length is needed) and never had a problem landing fish alone. I usually have about half the length of the net tied back to the handle with a strong elastic band, this will pull lose with a bigger fish. As above, I always ship the handle back and lift holding the rim AND handle
I will add I only ever fish for decent fish, no carp or barbel.

Had the same L.N. for over 30 years, with to occasional replacement net/frame and handle

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Like Trigger's broom you mean.

I usually fish with two rods, and I always have two landing nets, submerged in the water if possible, as soon as I set up. At the moment, one is a 27 ins chub latex spoon with a 7 ft pole, the other is a standard 42 ins triangular carp net with a 6 ft handle. I always plan where I intend to land fish. I submerge the nets to avoid the problem of having to do it at the last moment. The handle lies on the ground until I pick it up. I usually stand to land my fish, though I may kneel down if the situation warrants it.

The difficulty I have is in raising the net at the crucial moment, because of the weight of the net dragging through the water. I have developed a technique of holding the net handle and pulling back when the fish is over the net, rather than lifting. I sometimes miss, [certainly not that often by the way], and that is what my problem is. I reckon sometimes the problem is simply that the fish bolts when it sees the net!

It seems likely to me that a pipe lagging float behind the net may well cure it. Thanks for your comments all. I hope the thread helps others.