Lipping vs. Netting? 2024
alanmikkelsen reply :
When catching larger (3#+) bass, why do most people lip them rather than net them? Is it legal to use nets in most tournaments? I'm curioius, since I come from a lifetime of trout, steelhead and salmon fishing, where we use nets all the time. When watching bass programs on TV, I never see a net used, even for 5+ pound fish.
BaitBall reply :
I think it is a personal preference. I use a net ever since I purchased a boat with high gunnels (I have a 2 year old daughter). It is hard for me to reach far into the water with just my hand. I use the newer type mesh nets which seem more gentle on the fish and I like a 30" handle for my boat.
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteWhen catching larger (3#+) bass, why do most people lip them rather than net them? Is it legal to use nets in most tournaments? I'm curioius, since I come from a lifetime of trout, steelhead and salmon fishing, where we use nets all the time. When watching bass programs on TV, I never see a net used, even for 5+ pound fish.
IT'S AGAINST THE RULES.
Fish Chris reply :
Netting can reduce the odds of losing the fish.... But I'd only worry about this if I thought I had a really big fish on {new PB, lake record, state record, etc}.
Otherwise, lipping them is so much quicker and easier.
Peace,
Fish
roadwarrior reply :
The smallmouth in the Tennessee River are too big to lift with one arm.
We always net them unless they are "tournament" fish.
8-)
Tin reply :
You forgot one option, flipping. In most smallmouth lakes I fish I'm pitching jigs (Heavy action, 30 pound braid) or dragging football jigs (17 pound fluoro). Even my PB smallie which is just under 5 pounds I flipped in the boat. The inside of a smallies' mouth is harder than that of a largemouth so the odds of ripping a hole in it on the flip is usually not going to happen. Knock on wood I have never lost a fish on the flip. If your going to loose a smallie, it will be one of the times it rockets out of the water 4' and head shakes.
The only time I wouldn't flip them is when I have them on light line or on a treble hooed bait, I will grab them behind the head put them in the boat that way.
Phishin Fillip reply :
I prefer lipping just because you get the feel of the fish right away in your hand. Theres nothing like it.
NBR reply :
BASS don't allow nets but FLW does. I usually just hoist them on board or if they are large use a rubber net when they have a bunch of hooks on a crank or surface bait that I could stick in my hands or arm.
HesterIsGod reply :
Some nets can hurt fishes natural coating of slime.
alanmikkelsen reply :
QuoteSome nets can hurt fishes natural coating of slime.
I hear this all the time, but I also deal with fisheries biologists that do fish rescues from irrigation canals at the end of the season, as well as electroshock surveys and they use nets all the time and don't seem to feel it's an issue???shrug?
HesterIsGod reply :
QuoteQuoteSome nets can hurt fishes natural coating of slime.I hear this all the time, but I also deal with fisheries biologists that do fish rescues from irrigation canals at the end of the season, as well as electroshock surveys and they use nets all the time and don't seem to feel it's an issue???shrug?
I am not that well informed on this issue, but I am pretty sure that different nets are better or worse for the bass's natural slime, and I assume that the biologists use nets made of materials that are not that harmful.
roadwarrior reply :
Buy a rubber net.
8-)
Fish Chris reply :
I love this statement made by old school trophy bass angler {and one of my big bass idols growing up} Dan Kadota;
"If it's only like a 10 to 13 lb'er, then it's not really important either way..... but if it's a BIG fish, use a net" :-)
Different perspectives are funny, huh ?
Peace,
Fish
fishizzle reply :
Rubber nets at Cabelas are under $20 and its alot easier to get treble hooks out of a rubber net
I only use a net in tourneys when theres money on the line
Shame on me
farmpond1 reply :
One of the gauges I use for determining if I've had a good day is whether there are little tooth marks on my thumb. So I always lip them. But that's just me. 
Also, I find a net gets in the way.
On a side note for a different species, I seldom net a pike because they spin around in the net and make a big mess of things. It then takes three times as long to release them.
roadwarrior reply :
Quote"If it's only like a 10 to 13 lb'er, then it's not really important either way..... but if it's a BIG fish, use a net" :-)Peace,
Fish
In the context of this section, "Smallmouth Bass Fishing," that might
be considered a BIG fish!
:
farmpond1 reply :
QuoteOne of the gauges I use for determining if I've had a good day is whether there are little tooth marks on my thumb. So I always lip them. But that's just me.Also, I find a net gets in the way.
On a side note for a different species, I seldom net a pike because they spin around in the net and make a big mess of things. It then takes three times as long to release them.
Oh, incidentally, by saying I don't net pike I didn't mean to imply I lip them. I'm kinda dumb sometimes but not that stupid. 
fourbizz reply :
if i cant swing them, i net them.
I can swing 5lbers, lol.
Tokyo Tony reply :
Another option is to use a gripper/scale like a Boga Grip. I have a budget Boga-style scale with a gripper, and the thing is an absolute godsend. I do a lot of smallie fishing with jerkbaits and other treble lures, and especially with the smaller fish, I just reach down with the gripper and grab that lip (takes some practice). It prevents me from getting hooked, and it's actually also easier on the fish. LMB I usually just lip, but smaller-sized feisty smallies with mouths full of Gammies are just not healthy on the hands 
blake83 reply :
yea a net does wear away the fishes protective slime coat but a rubber net doesnt
WRB reply :
Personal choice to lip or net. Bouncing is another issue altogether. The boat carpet and the fish banging into hard objects is diffinately harmful to the bass, regardless of what type it is.
Knotless nets are the type to get, the rubber nets are too heavy to handle IMO.
If you are fishing with multiple treble hook lures, net the bass and save your hands from hook injury. BASS needs to change their rule about nets.
Check this net fish; see Butch Brown's 19.3 post. Not a smallie!!!
WRB
WTRDOG reply :
QuoteYou forgot one option, flipping. In most smallmouth lakes I fish I'm pitching jigs (Heavy action, 30 pound braid) or dragging football jigs (17 pound fluoro). Even my PB smallie which is just under 5 pounds I flipped in the boat. The inside of a smallies' mouth is harder than that of a largemouth so the odds of ripping a hole in it on the flip is usually not going to happen. Knock on wood I have never lost a fish on the flip. If your going to loose a smallie, it will be one of the times it rockets out of the water 4' and head shakes.The only time I wouldn't flip them is when I have them on light line or on a treble hooed bait, I will grab them behind the head put them in the boat that way.
Flipping a 5# smallie in the boat,give me a break.O.K Roland Martin....
Your not catching smallies in R.I close to 5#.Don't try fooling anyone... :'( (close to 5 # means a 3# )
Here's what a 5# smallie looks like..
SuskyDude reply :
I wish more tournament guys lipped them, rather than launching out of the water and bouncing them off the deck of the boat. But they're the pros..... :
Ill lift them out with the rod if they're less then two lbs. Over that, and I lip them just to be sure.
Flippin' a smallie? I'm not sure what that means but it doesnt sound too good......
alarcher reply :
Quoteyea a net does wear away the fishes protective slime coat but a rubber net doesnt
I am a Senior Fisheries Technician for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. I deal with fish in every possible way (from surgery to electro fishing) and nets aren't any worse than handling the fishes body with your hands. The key to the safety of the fish is the less touching the better, oils that are in our hands are actually worse on the "protective slime" than a net. So again just handle the fish (net or hands) as less as possible.
Tin reply :
QuoteQuoteYou forgot one option, flipping. In most smallmouth lakes I fish I'm pitching jigs (Heavy action, 30 pound braid) or dragging football jigs (17 pound fluoro). Even my PB smallie which is just under 5 pounds I flipped in the boat. The inside of a smallies' mouth is harder than that of a largemouth so the odds of ripping a hole in it on the flip is usually not going to happen. Knock on wood I have never lost a fish on the flip. If your going to loose a smallie, it will be one of the times it rockets out of the water 4' and head shakes.The only time I wouldn't flip them is when I have them on light line or on a treble hooed bait, I will grab them behind the head put them in the boat that way.
Flipping a 5# smallie in the boat,give me a break.O.K Roland Martin....
Your not catching smallies in R.I close to 5#.Don't try fooling anyone... :'( (close to 5 # means a 3# )
Here's what a 5# smallie looks like..
Who said I fish only fish in RI? Ever heard of Champlain, Sacandaga, or the CT River? Long Pond Harwich throws out some nice smallies too, and it is somewhat close. Plus if you don't believe me, ask Bassectomy, he has caught smallies close to and over 5 pounds in RI.
Watchaug and the Pawtuxet River are amazing places.
RI state record smallie is 5-15, so I don't see how catching a smallie close to 5 is impossible. :-/
Very nice smallie by the way. Did you flip it? ;D
Bassnbrett101 reply :
lol the great lakes smallies are huge, and we got some big smallies in PA if you guys want to fish for some big smallies, at raystown this year i caught 3 of em over 6 lbs! of course they were all caught on the same weekend in the same spot lol. But i caught many more over 3 there this year
Bassin4Life55 reply :
It all depends, in a tourney, I'd probably use a net but if I'm just leisure fishing I almost always lip.
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