|
|
  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Landing Nets
September 27, 2009
The landing net is arguably the most frequently forgotten item on any fishing trip. If you leave the net at home, you can almost guarantee that you will hook and lose a big fish at the boat. To quote a popular reminder, “Don’t leave home without it.”
A dip net, as some call it, is both a blessing and a challenge. It can be used to land a trophy fish, when manipulated by skilled hands, but the bulk of the net makes it hard to stow and the netting material easily tangles everything in site.
An inexpensive, short handled, nylon net with a small hoop will do the trick some of the time, but a seasoned angler knows that it is a “must” to match the net to the size of the fish. Landing nets come in a variety of lengths, hoop sizes, and materials. When purchasing, consider the following.
The handle is an important factor. Short handled nets are preferred when stream fishing for trout, but longer handles are needed to reach out from docks, piers and boats. The longer the net, the more difficult to transport and stow, so some models come with adjustable handles.
Also, consider that the handle should be rigid enough to move through the water and strong enough to lift a big fish to the boat without crimping, bending or breaking. A good net will also have a gripping feature to prevent it from slipping from wet hands.
What about hoop size and material? A little hoop makes the netting of a small darting fish a big challenge. Larger hoops give the angler more “wiggle room”. Hoop sizes on long handled nets vary from a small 14" x 16" to a 30" x 30"or larger. Because larger hoops are bulky, some models collapse when not in use. Net depths vary as well, and range from 12” to over 36” for capturing long-bodied fish.
Various netting materials should also be considered. In today’s fish-friendly world, micro-mesh without knots and space-age rubber netting reduces the risk of harming the fish and all but eliminates hooks from tangling.
Landing nets are like everything else that we purchase. You get what you pay for. Prices range from about $10.00 to over $100.00. Remember, a quality net could make the difference in landing or losing a big fish.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Consider a landing net with a black handle, hoop and netting material. Black is said to be less obvious to the fish than the silver and gold materials that adorn some nets. Some believe that black nets are spook-proof.
Upcoming Events:
The 10th Annual Lake Norman Striped Bass Fish Fry will be held at Midway Bait and Tackle, Terrell, NC on Saturday, October 10, 2009 - 11:00 AM until 2 PM. This fund raiser is sponsored by the Norman Fishery Alliance (NFA) and the Lake Norman Striper Swipers. Bring the entire family to enjoy good food and live music. For additional information call 704 663 9441.
Hot Spots of the week:
Bass and spotted bass are schooling on points, humps and brush in water to thirty-five feet deep. Perch are also plentiful in deep coves and along drop offs. Stripers are leaving their deepwater summer haunts and returning to major creeks on both sides of the Highway 150 Bridge. The week’s forecast is for some sun, wind and clouds, with limits of fish for lucky anglers.
The surface water temperature is in the seventies and low eighties, while the lake level is 3.6’ below full pond.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704.617.6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
|
|
|
|
|
