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Posts: 48
| Hey Folks. I spend a fair amount of time fishing solo. Anyone who does knows the challenge of netting a fish solo. I am looking for thoughts/experiences with netting from the deck vs the floor of the boat. I would say more than 95 percent of my fish I have netted from the deck. Have had much success but have lost some good ones at the net. I have a tiller so plenty of room to move around. Any benefit to moving lower in the boat for netting or is the deck where it’s at? |
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Posts: 386
| I dont think it matters. I fish solo from a tiller a lot and probably net most of my fish from the cockpit just because I can slide the net handle in the seat and lock it down. That way I'm not holding onto my net while messing with hooks etc.
Edited by Pat Hoolihan 3/15/2019 6:58 AM
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Posts: 48
| Had not thought of that benefit-thanks Pat.
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Posts: 251
| Not sure if you do this, but I learned the hard way, and that is to choke up on the rod. I see a lot of people with 9 foot rods still holding the rod by the reel and trying to net the fish. I grab the rod a couple of feet up when the fish is ready to be netted and it makes things a lot easier. |
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Posts: 352
Location: Vilas County, WI | When I fish solo I move to the center of the boat so I am lower. I also have the net bag laid out in the back deck, with the handle up on a seat. So now I'm lower in the boat, the net handle is higher - quicker and easier to grab.
Then since I'm lower to the water, it requires less effort to actually perform the net job. Once the fish is in the hoop, I use the rail on the side of the boat as a fulcrum to drop the fish into the bag. Now place the handle through the folded down seat. It won't go anywhere - you'll have both hands free to unhook.
Lastly, I have a tripod cell phone holder with flexible legs. I wrap that on the steering wheel and give a voice prompt to take the picture.
I'm 6'2" with a stowmaster net fishing out of single console Lund Impact 1775.
Edited by TheShow 3/15/2019 10:56 AM
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Location: Vilas | I fish by myself mostly too. I net fish from the center of the boat....closer to the water and fish both.... as far as taking apics, I have a piece of velcro on the back of my cell and the other piece on the seat...attach it, say smile and the fish is swimming in 10 seconds |
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Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water | To assist” in holding the net after the fish is in it we drilled a hole in the end by the handle, then inserted a short length of parachute cord through the hole and tied in a loop.
On the starboard side we have another length of parachute cord tied to a rail on one end and attached a caribener to the other end.
When we net the fish we let the bag hang off the port side and attach the caribener to the loop in the handle.
Now the net is tied in and will not go overboard, basically hands free. You need to play with rope lengths and locations for each given setup but it sure works well for us. |
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Posts: 2046
| Muskies are pretty easy to net solo if you stay calm and let the fish tell you when it’s “done” this sometimes requires fighting the fish another 30-60 seconds longer than you would having a partner. Enjoy the fight a little, you are letting it go anyway. |
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Posts: 48
| Hey folks. Thanks for the input. Like I said I have netted a bunch of fish so I appreciate The advice from those who understand that (I’m not a newbie looking for basic input). Just looking for a refinement of the craft as that is what makes us all better fisherman. My sense is that the center of the boat may be the better option and I am going to give that a go this year. Tight lines! |
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Posts: 48
| Man this is a fun sport! Always something to learn! Do wanna squash any impression that I am a newbie as I am not. Thanks for the respectful responses. Although my practice has been netting from the deck, my sense has been lower in the boat might be better but it is hard to veer from your regular routine! Gonna give the step down a go this year. |
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Posts: 2046
| Everything from the deck for me... my point was it’s not really going to make a difference either way.. do what your comfortable with.. I want to be in the bow of the boat whenever possible fighting a fish , and subsequently netting. Best of luck |
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Posts: 63
| ^^^
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That's a great idea to give the phone a voice prompt to take a pic! |
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| I fish alone most of the time in an 18' tiller. I typically net the fish on bow casting deck, then hook part of the upper netting on a cleat to secure the net, then drop down to the lower deck, just because it is lower and it is easier to get at the fish from there.
I think the important thing is to have a plan and follow it. Just like putting your release tools in the same spot so you don't have to think about it, just reach to where you know it will be. Putting the net in the same spot, handle in the same spot, net in the same direction, every time. Then your muscle memory can take over. |
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Posts: 141
Location: Minnetonka | When I'm out solo, I always make sure my hook cutters are within arms reach, before getting my hands anywhere near a fish in the net. Even if it doesn't look like you'll be cutting hooks, things can happen quick. Scary thought to imagine a scenario where you've got a hook in your hand, attached to a large, thrashing fish and you can see your knipex on the other side of the boat, out of reach.
Edited by MuskyMatt71 3/18/2019 4:10 PM
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| MuskyMatt71 - 3/18/2019 4:09 PM When I'm out solo, I always make sure my hook cutters are within arms reach, before getting my hands anywhere near a fish in the net. Even if it doesn't look like you'll be cutting hooks, things can happen quick. Scary thought to imagine a scenario where you've got a hook in your hand, attached to a large, thrashing fish and you can see your knipex on the other side of the boat, out of reach. It does not feel good that's for sure. Had it happen twice on pike. Once on a big muskie on the top of my hand. In panic mode I made the mistake of cutting the 1 barb that was inside my hand. Hand swelled up and sucked the remaining piece of the broken hook into my hand. They had to cut it out at the ER. |
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Posts: 8807
| Had a good scare with a 47"er that was hooked nicely in the corner of the mouth with one point of one treble on the back hook of a double 10. Top hooks free, fish was docile as could be. Grabbed the gill plate, lifted the fish, grabbed the hook with my pliers, fish went NUTS. It spun around in the net about 5 times impaling every hook point in the bag, and rolled itself up in a mess of line, net, and hooks. *whew, that was close* Huh. I'm bleeding. You could see where one of the hooks dragged around my finger and across the top of my knuckle.
"Crap. I'm going to have to cut my lure, net, line, leader, and hooks all apart to undo this mess!" Where are my hook cutters? Oh, back of the boat. Okay..."
Then I looked at my finger again. How I didn't wind up with a hook through my knuckle attached to that disaster I will never know.
Knipex now live on my person in a place where I can reach them with both hands. |
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Posts: 281
Location: US | I have a robo handle on my net. This helps a bunch when it comes to controlling the net with one arm. I fish from the bow, but I usually end up netting the fish at the center of the boat as that's where i have the net waiting. This is also lower, which works better for unhooking the fish and I can have my release tools sitting next to the net.
I also agree with the above about waiting and not netting them when they are still a little green. You don't have near as much coordination with a net in one hand and rod in the other. |
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