Why the Pros don't use nets 2024

boondocks reply :

I was just watching ESPN this morning and am wondering why the Bass Pros never use nets in their tournaments when landing fish? I have even seen them lose fish where if they had a net they would have landed the fish. Is it illegal? Or whats the deal? Anyone know?

dodgeguy reply :

it's legal in flw and not in bass.i think bass tried it for 1 year and stopped.

Ky_Lake_Dude reply :

It is one of the rules in BASS that u can not use nets.

Fish Chris reply :

If you mean the guys from BASS or FLW, it's probably because they so rarely catch anything big enough to bother using a net with anyway ;-)

Now with trophy bass pro's like Jerry Rago, Mike Long, Bill Semintel, etc, "they usually DO use a net"...... especially if the fish appears to be like a 15 to 20 lb'er (in other words, if it appears to be one that's worth using a net on :-)

I remember a quote from big bass guru Danny Kodota.... "If it only apears to be a 10 to 15 lb'er, then it's not really a big deal either way...... But if it's a really big one, "USE A NET" !!!

Personally speaking though, I'll still even use a net on "little ol' 10 or 12 lb'ers" :-)

Of course all these numbers are relative to so many things. If a 5 lb'er is a BIG one for you, or your neck of the woods, a net will increase your odds of landing it.

Peace,

Fish

eastkybass reply :

A few years ago I was going to try for a non boater in a BASS event and one of the rules was that you couldn't use a net. I would like to know the reason for it though?

VAbacklash reply :

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind I remember the reasoning for not using a net was because it was supposed to be less traumatic for the bass if landed by hand. After watching several of the older Bassmaster tournament programs on TV, after the net was banned, I watched fish after fish being jerked out of the water and slammed against consoles, steering wheels and tackle boxes. It made me think that the net ban was a little bit on dumb side. I use a rubber net and release the fish immediately or place it in the livewell. I don't really understand not using a net.

cabela10 reply :

I think I heard someplace that BASS doesn't use nets because they think it involves more skill to actually lip or flip the fish in the boat.

I also think it causes more harm to the fish by flipping in the boat and having it flop around on the carpet, while it's smashing it's skull against the console. I thought the whole process of trying to keep bass healthy and alive was to not take the slim coating off there scales, just seems to me with all the rubbing and flopping on the carpet that this slim wears off.

I feel sorry for BASS fish.

Any thoughts?

cart7t reply :

Quote
I think I heard someplace that BASS doesn't use nets because they think it involves more skill to actually lip or flip the fish in the boat.
I also think it causes more harm to the fish by flipping in the boat and having it flop around on the carpet, while it's smashing it's skull against the console. I thought the whole process of trying to keep bass healthy and alive was to not take the slim coating off there scales, just seems to me with all the rubbing and flopping on the carpet that this slim wears off.

I feel sorry for BASS fish.

Any thoughts?

Agree. Hoisting a fish into a boat so it can flop around on the carpet, slamming into things until the Pro pounces on it is ridiculous. It's a black eye on the sport IMO and does more harm than good coming from an organization that supposedly is so concerned about not killing it's catch.

cabela10 reply :

Quote

Quote
I think I heard someplace that BASS doesn't use nets because they think it involves more skill to actually lip or flip the fish in the boat.
I also think it causes more harm to the fish by flipping in the boat and having it flop around on the carpet, while it's smashing it's skull against the console. I thought the whole process of trying to keep bass healthy and alive was to not take the slim coating off there scales, just seems to me with all the rubbing and flopping on the carpet that this slim wears off.

I feel sorry for BASS fish.

Any thoughts?

Agree. Hoisting a fish into a boat so it can flop around on the carpet, slamming into things until the Pro pounces on it is ridiculous. It's a black eye on the sport IMO and does more harm than good coming from an organization that supposedly is so concerned about not killing it's catch.

Do you think maybe this is causing the LMBV??? With a single fish possibly getting caught multiple times and losing it's protective slim coating, which makes it vulnerable for diseases. I don't know, my mind is actually thinking for once so I'm typing it in here for all the experts to comment.

Hillbilly_Hooker reply :

I don't know the reason for not allowing the use of nets in B.A.S.S. pro-level tournaments. They are permitted for B.A.S.S. local club, regional, and state tournaments, however. I am intrigued by the question and as soon as the holidays are over, I'm going to inquire of B.A.S.S. as to the reason for this rule.

In the meantime,though, I would like to point out that B.A.S.S. pioneered the practice of Catch and Release as well as the use of livewells in boats. Before the B.A.S.S. bashing starts, please realize that B.A.S.S. has done more to promote fisheries conservation and the safe handling of bass and their return to their home waters than, perhaps, any other fishing organization in history. Prior to the existence of B.A.S.S., the prevailing practice was to Catch and KEEP.

Regards and a Merry Christmas to all,

Hillbilly

cabela10 reply :

This isn't a bashing about BASS. It's simply a discussion. Don't dig deeper. This topic pretty much involves all circuits that don't use nets and allow there fish to get smacked around in the boats.

I realize all that B.A.S.S. has done, but remember, they did start out by killing all these fish until non-tournament people starting to b*tch and complain about tournaments coming to their waters to murder fish. So it wasn't a pretty start. Also, if B.A.S.S. is all about taking care of fish, why do they allow THEIR fishermen to mistreat them so badly? Answer that please.

Also, again, this isn't bashing B.A.S.S.

cabela10 reply :

Quote
I don't know the reason for not allowing the use of nets in B.A.S.S. pro-level tournaments. They are permitted for B.A.S.S. local club, regional, and state tournaments, however. I am intrigued by the question and as soon as the holidays are over, I'm going to inquire of B.A.S.S. as to the reason for this rule.
In the meantime,though, I would like to point out that B.A.S.S. pioneered the practice of Catch and Release as well as the use of livewells in boats. Before the B.A.S.S. bashing starts, please realize that B.A.S.S. has done more to promote fisheries conservation and the safe handling of bass and their return to their home waters than, perhaps, any other fishing organization in history. Prior to the existence of B.A.S.S., the prevailing practice was to Catch and KEEP.

Regards and a Merry Christmas to all,

Hillbilly

Also you can promote fisheries conservation and the safe handling of bass and their return to their home waters, but lets actually put that promotion into affect, because I don't see it happening with what they are promoting. These fish are getting abused. I'm not a PETA member either, I'm just calling it, how I see it.

Hillbilly_Hooker reply :

Cabela,

What, exactly, is it that B.A.S.S. is allowing THEIR fishermen to do that doesn't occur on every other tournament circuit in the U.S. ?

I certainly won't claim that bass don't become injured during handling, by ANY angler, I don't think it's limited to just B.A.S.S. events though. But B.A.S.S. continually studies the issue and has been on the forefront of innovating ways to cause less injury to the bass... from the use of aerated holding tanks, release boats, and other means.

On another note, I don't know that any particular handling practice either promotes or inhibits the transfer of LMBV, but some recent studies have shown that LMBV can be transferred from one infected fish to other healthy fish that are held together in the same livewell. This transfer can happen within a matter of minutes. Hopefully, future studies will shed more light on this hazard and possible ways to prevent the transmission of the disease.

Hillbilly

cabela10 reply :

Yeah, I don't know. Just seems like when a bass is netted, it isn't allowed to flop around in the boat. Usually they sit motionless until you grab them out. Ya know?

I agree that fishermen beyond just B.A.S.S. anglers mistreat/abuse the fish. I personally net all fish and try to get them back in the lake or cull the fish asap. Sometimes people just hold and play with the fish way to much. To many camara fish.

Hillbilly_Hooker reply :

I couldn't agree more about people holding and playing with the fish way too much. As to camera fish, I guess when you're televising an event, you're expected to give the viewers something to watch.

I, as do all the anglers in my local club, also net all of our fish and try to get them in the livewell or cull them and return them as quickly as possible to the water, with a minimum of handling or further stress to the fish. I, personally, would think that the use of the rubber-mesh type nets and then lipping the fish from the net would be the least injurious of all methods.

Fish Chris reply :

as I always say, the best way to handle a fish {if you intend to release it} is "with common sense".

Fish

PS, I'm not against tournament fishing...... however, it always seems kind of contradictory to me to hear tournament guys talking about how to take the best care of C/R'd fish.... As no matter how they handle them during a tourney, those fish will NEVER be as well off as the ones I C/P/R, all in a matter of a few minutes, by myself even. Dragging a fish all around the lake, all day long, then weighing, then releasing it, is never going to be a good thing for the fish.

It's just fortunate that tourney guys catch as few really big fish as they do, else wise, we would have 10 X's fewer trophy bass swimming around, as we do now !!!

cabela10 reply :

Quote
It's just fortunate that tourney guys catch as few really big fish as they do, else wise, we would have 10 X's fewer trophy bass swimming around, as we do now !!!

You're kidding right? They target the smaller to medium sized fish for limits to weigh-in but your kidding yourself if you think they only catch a "few" big fish. I'm willing to bet that when the Pro's overtake a lake, that they catch the majority of the bigger sized fish in that lake. It all has to do with the time of the year also, which nowadays is geared for catching those bigger fish. So I'm guessing you should be worried about those bigger fish being taking from your waters. Atleast tournament fishermen release the fish, where has recreational anglers will catch 5 monsters by chance and take them home to eat. What would you rather have? Once those bass are in those livewells, they are served up with the best aerating money can buy plus all the formulas to make them breath better with better oxygen levels in livewell water than in the actual lake.

roadwarrior reply :

Lipping is for show. Get a rubber net and land more fish. The real upside is how much less a fish has to be handled when using a rubber net. My fish rarely leave the water unless they are big enough to weigh and picture. Using a rubber net really protects your catch.

With regard to tournament guys catching big bass, especially B.A.S.S. pros, common'...they rarely catch anything over five or six pounds during competition. I think there have only been a couple of fish over 10 lbs, EVER! KVD caught an 11 something (his PB) which surprised everyone.

cart7t reply :

Quote
Cabela,
What, exactly, is it that B.A.S.S. is allowing THEIR fishermen to do that doesn't occur on every other tournament circuit in the U.S. ?

I certainly won't claim that bass don't become injured during handling, by ANY angler, I don't think it's limited to just B.A.S.S. events though. But B.A.S.S. continually studies the issue and has been on the forefront of innovating ways to cause less injury to the bass... from the use of aerated holding tanks, release boats, and other means.

On another note, I don't know that any particular handling practice either promotes or inhibits the transfer of LMBV, but some recent studies have shown that LMBV can be transferred from one infected fish to other healthy fish that are held together in the same livewell. This transfer can happen within a matter of minutes. Hopefully, future studies will shed more light on this hazard and possible ways to prevent the transmission of the disease.

Hillbilly

Since BASS initiated the "Don't Kill Your Catch" motto years ago they should practice what they're preaching and set an example. It's completely contradictory to allow the anglers in your tournament to so blantantly mishandle fish by allowing them to flip them onto the floor of the boat, bouncing around which knocks the slime coat off not to mention the stress endured. What message are you sending anyway?

I'd give the Pros a choice. Net the fish in an approved rubberized landing net, lip the fish or hoist the fish into the boat. If the fish hits the deck the angler is penalized. Intentional flippin of fish into the bottom of the boat should be banned.

Fish Chris reply :

Not kidding whatsoever. The fact of the matter is, tournament fishing and trophy hunting are two completely different sports. In fact, it's darn near like fishing for two completely different species.

Please understand that I'm not putting down the top tournament pro's in any way, shape, or form. Those guys are AWESOME at what they do ! While the guys I mentioned, like Mike Long, Jerry Rago, Bill Semintel (and a good handful more) are great at what they do.

Sure, if tournament pros were to put the same kind of time and effort into trophy bass fishing, as they do towards total sack weights {while competing against other "very competitive" anglers}, they would certainly catch a LOT more giant bass. And likewise, if the top trophy guys spent as much time and effort fishing tournies, as they do chasing giants, they would win a few tournies too.

But typically speaking, the top tournament anglers don't have time to chase "one giant bass".

BTW, I met KVD in person, at Clear Lk. Ca. a few years back (and Jay Yellas, Zell Roland, and Mark Davis too) All super nice guys ! Great represenitives for the sport. And obviously GREAT tournament anglers.

At that time, KVD had caught one bass over 10 lbs in his life. Since then he has caught one more; the 11 during that tourney last year.

I have caught 73 bass over 10 lbs. Although I'm the first to admit, that it wouldn't take pro's at their level to kick my bAss in a tourney ! On the contrary, put me up against 15 guys from your local bass club, and I'd likely come in 16th :-) LOL Tournies are just not my game. But I do okay for the big ones.

Peace,

Fish

cabela10 reply :

Fish Chris,

Where are you from though? California? Kevin Van Dam grew up fishing in Michigan, you can't really expect him to catch many fish over 10lbs. I've never even caught a fish over 6lbs, because I fish in Minnesota and it's rare to get anything over 6lbs.

You can't compare regions. I bet KVD caught a lot of 6-8lbs in Michigan which is pretty much 10-15lbs in California or any other place in the south like Texas and Florida.

It sucks living up here in Minnesota with the short growing season. But I love winter for snowmobiling.

guest reply :

I like the idea of lipping bass rather than netting. A "green" fish can be landed with a net before using his last burst or trick to throw the hook. a lipped bass is a whooped bass. C&R ethics require that the fish be fully resusitated before release.

I hate the "hoist and slam" approach to landing bass. This is common tournament tactic. It is disgusting.

If I recall, back in the early days of BASS the pros hadn't yet come up with the hoist and slam. They were lipping the bass in the water, removing the hook then into the livewell.

I like that. It is sporting, ethical, and requires more skill than hoist and slam, or netting.

cabela10 reply :

Avid,

I like the "HOIST & SLAM" slogan. It is very disgusting. I love seeing the Elite guys catching the fish up until I see them move there hand down the shaft of the rod and begin the hoist. I just wonder what the first thing that fish is going to slam it's head against.

Bud reply :

If you ask any director for BASS or FLW why they don't use a net they will tell you it would take away from the show. Hoist & Slam makes good tv. The same for lipping and holding then up at weighin.

If you will go to a lake about two or three days after a big tournment you will find several bass dead. You will never see a good part of the ones that died because they swin of and died later.

guest reply :

Quote
If you ask any director for BASS or FLW why they don't use a net they will tell you it would take away from the show. Hoist & Slam makes good tv.

Exactly.

I admit the drama of watching elite bass pro's use their advanced skills to win a tournament can be interesting. The "good TV" aspect that ESPN added to the events makes what would ordinarily be a rather dull spectator sport into an exciting and viewable competition.

It is also the reason why I'm not a tournament fisherman.

I prefer the "close to nature" aspect of fishing over the competitive nature it easily becomes. It's why I don't count how many fish I've caught. It's why when fishing with a friend it's about the day "we" had rather than I caught 10 he caught 2 " I smoked him" and so on.

I can understand why guys do it. I did it for years with my main fishing buddy, but I'm past that now. Our values change as we grow older. It's not about what's right or wrong, it's about what's right for you at any given time in your life.

Have a code an "ethic" and stick to it.

It brings marvelous peace of mind.

Avid has spoken

Fish Chris reply :

Yes, actually I am from Cali, and yes, it is the best place on the entire planet for giant bass. But what you must rember is, we have some GREAT tournament bass anglers who have grown up, lived, and fished, right here in Cali, "and who also have not caught very many big bass". {if even 1 over 10 lbs}

Sure, the region matters, but my point simply is, tournament angling and trophy bass fishing is two completely different things.

Regardless of where KVD grew up, I'm sure that he is in the position now, that "if he wanted to" he could fish Cali, Mexico, Cuba, etc, specifically for big bass...... and, I'm sure he would catch some of them. But again, that isn't his game.

BTW Cabela10, you might find it interesting (or just not believe it) but although we have litterally millions (I believe I have read 2 million) bass fishermen in Cali, probably fewer than 10% have caught even 1 legitimate Largemouth Bass over 10 lbs. Yes, we have LOTS of big bass..... but they aren't exactly jumping into guys boats either :-)

Peace,

Fish

cart7t reply :

Quote
If you ask any director for BASS or FLW why they don't use a net they will tell you it would take away from the show. Hoist & Slam makes good tv. The same for lipping and holding then up at weighin.
If you will go to a lake about two or three days after a big tournment you will find several bass dead. You will never see a good part of the ones that died because they swin of and died later.

I haven't seen a single person on this thread who approves of hoist and slam. I bet if you polled the majority of fishermen that watch the BASS or FLW tournaments they'd probably disapprove as well. Since that's probably the case, how would using a net, or lipping a fish or plain old hoisting but lipping the fish in the air before allowing it to slam into the deck make the show less worthy of watching?

It's a black eye on the sport IMO.

Fish Chris reply :

...the original point of the post.

I totally agree cart7.

Fish

ejtaylor822 reply :

Hey guys, I think it was either Bill Dance or Roland Martin that I was watching a while back and they were commenting on the use of nets - which BTW they were recomending, or a boga, to limit handling and avoiding having the fish fall and get hurt. It was mentioned that nets were not allowed in the major tournaments anymore because of some controversy in the past in regards to people netting/dipping fish out of the water. So, BASS and other pro tourneys do not allow the use of nets to avoid the possibility or perception of cheating.

Eddie

cabela10 reply :

Fish Chris, I know there is a difference between the tournament guys and the big fish fishermen. All the tackle is pretty much different than what tournament guys would use. I understand what your saying, I wasn't really arguing the point of the big fish hunters compared to tournament guys.

Also, I rarely see the FLW Tour guys flipping the fish in the boat, most of them use the nets. The only guys I see flipping the fish in the boat on the FLW Tour are the guys that still fish the BASS events. I'm not singling them out, but even guys like Larry Nixon and George Cochran use the nets on pretty much ever fish caught in the FLW events they fish. Only time I feel bad for an FLW fish is when I see Art Berry kissing them, I know those fish die a few hours after that kiss. ;D

Fish Chris reply :

No offense taken here :-)

BTW, I'm jellous of your Northern Pike and Muskies up there !

Peace,

Fish

Gatorbassman reply :

Quote
If you ask any director for BASS or FLW why they don't use a net they will tell you it would take away from the show. Hoist & Slam makes good tv. The same for lipping and holding then up at weighin.
If you will go to a lake about two or three days after a big tournment you will find several bass dead. You will never see a good part of the ones that died because they swin of and died later.

Bud, you should check out one of this sites sponsors (Sure Life Labs). The stuff they sell to add to your livewell will reduce the death rate of tournament fish to less than 2%. It is some great stuff. I will always swear by it.

Bud reply :

Quote
Bud, you should check out one of this sites sponsors (Sure Life Labs). The stuff they sell to add to your livewell will reduce the death rate of tournament fish to less than 2%. It is some great stuff. I will always swear by it.

I fish Ky lake and we have a tournament here every weekend and some time two per day for the weekend. All you have to do is go fishing a few days after the event and count the dead fish. I also Tournament fish and also work for a national known tournament trail and when you work the release boat of a big tournament and see what happen after the show it will change your mind.

I know about Sure Life Labs and several other. They make great stuff but this thread is about the way the fish are handle. nets v No nets.

I have been told their are several changes in the works for ALL tournament in the way fish are handle, transported and release. If what I have told pan out it will change the way any tournament is run.

BASS fisherman reply :

From what I understand and I could be wrong, but I understand that B.A.S.S. doesn't permit the use of nets because anglers were netting the fish when they were yards away from the boat. Usually when a fish sees you, and/or the boat they get into that flight or fight mode, and do everything they can to get off that hook. So when you'd net them say 15 feet away from the boat, you have a better chance of not loosing the bass. Once it caught on, a few people cried foul and B.A.S.S. banned the use of nets all together.

Now as far as flipping the fish into the boat, I see nothing wrong with it.....when they catch the fish by grabbing the line above the fish, before it has the chance to smack onto the boat.

cabela10 reply :

15 feet from the boat? Holy turd, do you realize how long that is. No way were guys using nets that were 15 feet long. My longest rod is 7'2" and the pole on my net is just over half that length.

Also, I don't think B.A.S.S. ever allowed nets. It's just been there thing not to have nets because they claim it takes more skill to "hoist & slam".

Matt Fly reply :

BASS did away with the net not to long ago.

Not allowing the net in the boat does two things for me. One, If I was a co-angler, I didn't decide to fish to be a net man for the pro. And they expected you to help net their fish, which to me, eliminates the principal of the tournament, you and the fish!!!

Bass fishing sport or not? I'm not here to debate this, but, taking the nets out of the boat made it more atheletic friendly.

I have seen lots of guys who can not manuever around the boat very easily due to being "out of shape". The net was the easy way out for them.

If your over weight, hate to bend over, can't get up and down, the the FLW is your place to be. Get the NET!!!!!!

That bass that just got slung into the boat, well it was hidden on the back side of a log. When the hook was set with braided line, its head was peeled off the trunk to begin with, has a sharp hook embedded somewhere in the body.

So its okay that a fish is snagged in the body, keel hauled over a log, and you guys talk about bass that are slammed.

The rest is okay with the sport up until its landed or how its landed. We won't go into a fish being sought after when its bedding and trying to reproduce off spring we claim to have passion about.

If your gonna have some ethics, why not have them all!!!! I'm all for lipping bass, no nets in tourneys, it just puts atheletics into the equation.

Matt.

Captain Cali reply :

Well...I'm no pro. And I do not fish tournaments. I do not use nets because I fish from the bank 99% of the time and that is just another item to lug around. I'd rather carry another rod.

I don't think it has cost me any fish. I've only caught two LMB worth netting and I landed them both. If the fish is going to come unbuttoned, it usually does before it's in "netting" range anyway.

I'm sure that will change at some point. You'll see a story from me about "the big one that got away" and why I should have had a net. ;D

BTW...I also can't stand the "hoist and slam" method. Not good at all.

guest reply :

Mattfly,

speak out man, it's not healthy to repress your feelings.

fourbizz reply :

Maybe we should try tossing them in the livewell from the front of the boat while we are at it. We've already done so much to harm them. If you miss, the fish doesn't count. If you make it, you could spike your rod too. Man athletic sports are awesome!

Just messin with you Matt, but I don't think that the "one more won't hurt me" type of mentality is the best to embrace.

Matt Fly reply :

I just see it as being funny, when the only ethics worried about is landing a fish.

How many fish are landed from stick ups that have gashes in their sides? How many treble hooks tear gill plates and such. How about persuing bass on the beds when they are trying to reproduce? Swallowed hooks! Those are okay!

If peoples ethics have such strong convictions, then what about the other ones?

Nets have come along way, but theres not one net out there that doesn't take some of the slime coating off. Agreed, that certain nets would be better than the slamming.

I will continue to rip some lips, and continue to lip my fish. My ethics are mine and have nothing to do with what BASS does or doesn't do.

I sure don't want a fish bouncing off the bottom of the boat, its not very healthy for them, but neither is the rest of the process we put them through.

Come on Avid, you know me better than that, I don't sugar coat much of anything.

Matt

cravenfish reply :

Well to add onto this post, I fish the BASS Weekend series and you are allowed to use a net. Then in the regional event you were allowed to use a net. Now getting ready to go to the Nationials at Gunttersville, you can not use a net to land your fish. Whats up with that? :-/

roadwarrior reply :

Is television involved at the Nationals?

As a said earlier, it's just for show.

cravenfish reply :

They take lots of photos, but no TV that I know of. We get new Triton TR21X's W/ Merc.250s on them to fish out of. Its the same boats that will be used in the classic.

Matt Fly reply :

I read the BASS rules this morning and noticed the same, that the ABA/BASS weekend series allowed nets all the way up until nationals.

So how did you do? Sounds like you did very well to advance on to the nationals.

Good luck, hope you do well.

Matt

10894

Why the Pros don't use nets 2024

related General Bass Fishing Forum topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic