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Posts: 731
Location: martinsburg wv | Having trouble netting fish by my self. I have the Frabill big kahuna. I lost two fish at the boat trying to net them, one was mid 30"er the other on was in the high 40". Any tips would help, I fish by myself most of the time. |
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| I don't mind if they pop off at the boatside when fishing alone. As a catch and release sport I really don't care. I know I could put them in the net, but if you rush things while netting/fighting a fish alone that can turn into a disaster for the fish. Remember think of the fish first. Yes, it's cool to get pics and measurements of those bigger fish, but you have to focus on good releases as well. A lot of times when they aren't hooked bad, I just pop them off at boatside without a net. More interested in getting my lure back into the water to catch another. My rule is if I play the fish out and I have it at boatside while fishing alone, that's a caught fish. If I had someone in the boat with me, they could have easily netted that fish 3 times over. Now, if we're talking about a 50"+, I'm trying to get that fish in the net for obvious reasons, pics and measurements. Just my 2 cents. |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | Netting fish by yourself, especially the bigger ones, just takes practice. A little trial and error and likely some botched net jobs to see what works best for you. The biggest difference between netting a fish by yourself compared to netting someone else's fish is that you're going to be slower. So you need to make sure the fish is a little more subdued. Trying to net a green fish like you could with two hands will result in a higher percentage of lost fish. Each fish will be different though and you'll just have to take each one as it comes. Just have your net in a good place where you can grab it with ease when the fish is ready.
Aaron |
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Posts: 7
| Netting fish by your self is always a challenge, especially with 8' rods. I like to put lots of presure on the fish and net first chance I get. When I net the fish I secure the net to the boat. My net handle slides onto a pin and the rim of the net basket is strapped down to edge of the boat. Now I can move around freely to work on the fish take it out for a measurment and take a photo with my remote controled camera and back she goes. I never worry about loosing my net overboard. |
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Last year and this year, 1/2 my fish were caught by myself. It does get a little tricky. I think the problem might first be the Big Kahuna. Frabill makes a whole lot heavier net than Beckman. It's a great net, but just a little heavier. I've never lost a fish when netting by myself. I use an 8' rod, and always try to make the fish go into a big cirlcle. When the fish is coming at me, I dip the net down until the hoop is underwater. I pull the rod back as far as it will go, and slide the fish in. The biggest I've netted by myself is a 46". Also, just make sure to always have your net opened and ready, so you are wasting any time and giving the fish an extra chance to throw the hooks. |
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Posts: 103
| I fish alone 95% of the time and have netted fish for myself up to 48.5 inches. What I do when the fish gets close is put the net in the water and pull your rod as far back as you can and reach with the net. Once the fish's head is inside the rim of the net I drop the rod and use two hands to scoop the fish up. I have never lost a fish this way. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The Big Kahuna is 'heavier' because it's huge. If I'm alone, I leave the Kuhuna at home and use a Powercatch, much easier to handle alone and plenty light, and it deploys with one hand easily. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I really don't "net" the fish when I'm by myself. I make sure the net is in the water, then guide the fish into it. Use the rod to do the work, rather than the net. The rod is a lot lighter and easier to move. |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | I also use a power catch and just put the net into the water - almost vertical and guide the fish into it with the rod. Like others said - I don't typically net the fish the first chance I get though. Be patient and don't rush it is my advice. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | What Steve said. The fact that I fish by myself is what kept me from buying the Kahuna. |
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Posts: 392
Location: lake x...where the hell is it? | its not easy to do but it can be done. i have 7 or 8 fish when i was alone and i have got all of them in the net. some werent so pretty of a net job but i got them. check out the GO FISH vid, jerry nets a few by himself in it. like some of the guys said dont try to scoop with the net, use the rod to put the fish in the net. and keep your tools close by, if its a small fish (35" or less) hand landing it will work. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | <p>Here's a video I'm working on that is going to be more about release than how to net but this shows netting one alone. I think the most important thing is that you don't chase the fish with the net. Keep the net in one spot and guide the fish into the net, then just lift the hoop.</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGG6Hs5K60A</p>
Edited by Will Schultz 6/29/2009 5:52 PM
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | i will say that using the kahuna is not easy by yourself. i use that most of the time. but if i remember to bring the frabill power scoop kwik cradle the one pete maina designed. he made that one for the lone fisherman. you can lift the rod up and with a pushing motion with the net handle the net gets under neith the fish and she's in the bag... check it out on the frabill website in the power catch series....bill |
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Posts: 731
Location: martinsburg wv | thanks for the help |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | BECKMAN FIN SAVER is what I have and is very light and easy to net a fish solo,and will fit big fish too. |
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| I wonder if you could experiment with a cloth or metal band that would go around the handle of the net. Then, you slip your arm into the hole all the way up to the "forearm band". I have seen something similar with people with walking disabilities that use walking canes with extended forearm straps. This will help you manipulate the net better with only one arm.
Brian
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| get a cradle, mount one side of it onto the side of your boat, make sure the other side floats (use pvc piping, or even a floating measuring stick) and with each fishing spot you go just flip it out of the boat, when you catch a fish just guide it into the craddle, set the rod down and you get an easy release while she's still in the water, it has never failed. with that said i wouldn't even bother with a cradle with two people, seems way to risky and difficult for most fishermen. it's what works for me |
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netting fish