What net u got?

I thought I had a pretty nice net, about 18 inches, the handle extended, and had the rubber netting.
About  two years ago I had a legal Ling on and then I got a big big hitchhiker Ling! and as it came up,  about 2 feet from the surface, it took that legal Ling and did the death roll and Spun and Spun and Spun!!!   that was so cool the witness that, that’s the excitement this sport brings us!
 well she settled down and I brought them both over to the net. the first one went in and then big mama stuck her head in there and then opened her jaw and slithered back into the water  with a FU
It was right there that I knew I needed a bigger net!!!
I had a EGO about 18” , it was cool, you touch a button and  the handle gets longer!
What I have now is a Promar , about 24” , handle extends- no button.
I’m right handed so this is happening on the right side if the boat.
I have the net in my right hand , net in the water, handle extended a bit
I lead the fish with my left hand, over to where the net is waiting…
 net comes straight up and he’s trapped! Game over 
I haven’t lost a fish in the net job since I got this , I know that day is coming but for now I haven’t.
So what  works for you?
In this case I’d have to say bigger is better!!!

Scotty

I’d have to say bigger is better!!

Yes, and yes.

I'd add that biggest is bestest.

Whatever big, giant, way-too-big net you can get, get it.  Promar, Ranger, Beckman...  Go Big.

Handling the net and capturing these amazing fish that we're after - especially the biggest ones (!!!) - is way under-rated.  I have had so much practice, as a guide, netting and handling fish, and I know, from years of experience, that having a big net to subdue a fish is so vital to what we're trying to accomplish.  All I can do is encourage all of you to go big, learn to use it to subdue and retain the fish you're after, and you will never look back.

The alternative to having the big net is losing a lifetime fish that you "couldn't fit in the net".  Never gonna happen in my world.

I have one of each. A big one like Eric has that he recommended to me a couple of years ago, and I have one just like the one Scotty uses. The rubber mesh net doesn't move through the water very fast, and will not hold large fish. It's pluses are that hooks are easy to un-snag, and it doesn't snag on other stuff on the kayak.

The big net moves through the water fast, and will hold just about any sized fish. It's downsides are that snags on things like fish finder knobs, rod holders, crates, etc. Several times I have had to ask for help un-snaging from an area I could not reach. I have also spent a lot of time getting hooks out, and look up wondering how I drifted so far.

I use the big one pretty much all the time now as I feel it's pluses out weigh the minor drawbacks.   

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I used a net for rockfish, lingcod, and salmon.  Use a gaff for keeper halibuts.  Large halibuts are very difficult to net and gaff makes it much easier.  Also, it is much easier to put on a stringer after gaff.

Paul

Highly recommend going with at least a 32"opening and 40" depth.  Bigger if you can find it.  Yeah... go big. 

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I carry both, and it is required that you have a net while on ocean waters.

Salmon fishing, I carry a big 40" net with a cut down handle.  Anything else I use lip gripper, release boat side, or gaff.  But I still carry a 18" folding Promar net to be compliant with the rules.  For freshwater 3$J turned me on to the Promar Premier 20" net, which is so light and snag-less webbing, I'm looking forward to using it for trout fishing in a couple months.

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I use a Boga grip for anything I'm going to release.  I use a large net for salmon.  I use a gaff for everything else that I can't lift into the boat by hand.  I carry a small releaseright net under my seat when I'm not fishing for salmon, folded up and out of the way, just to be legal.  Which is why you might see a picture of me not carrying an obvious net.

I think my net is about 30" or so.  Basic cheapo net from the tackle shop, with about 2.5' or so of handle, no idea about what brand it is.  I kept the handle full length to allow me some range for scooping - pretty handy if using a longer leader.  I have a gaff, but prefer the net.  Maybe I am just more proficient with the net?  I bring the gaff if there is a chance for large fish, otherwise it stays at home. 

I tend to carry the net on the bow of my kayak too, quick and easy to grab and use with my right hand. 

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I’m in the minority where I either use a net or lip grippers. Never a gaff. I find that for me using a gaff in the kayak and then lifting the fish is an awkward motion that I’m not comfortable with. So I carry a big net of big fish are possible.

I had the EGO 22'' PVC Coated net but recently a 35'' halibut made me re-think it.  It was a little tight.

I just bought the EGO X-Large 24'' x 27'' rubber coated net with 38'' depth. 

I liked the PVC coated net because it didn't snag things but I think the rubber coated will hold fish better as it's bigger.  I just use the regular handle, not the sliding one.

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I find that for me using a gaff in the kayak and then lifting the fish is an awkward motion that I’m not comfortable with.

A kage spear is the answer and it is amazing fun to stab a big halibut boatside.  They freeze the same and the downward motion of stabbing is much less awkward. 

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I find that for me using a gaff in the kayak and then lifting the fish is an awkward motion that I’m not comfortable with.

A kage spear is the answer and it is amazing fun to stab a big halibut boatside.  They freeze the same and the downward motion of stabbing is much less awkward. 

Kage are of questionable legality for any fish other than sharks, skates, rays, and pacific halibut.

I think they are legal but CA DFW does not.  It's never been tested in court to my knowledge. I'd avoid them unless you want to be the test case.

Hey all, I have a question about nets vs gaffs. Should you have both? Any comments on pros and cons of both, aside from the obvious damage that a gaff will do to fish that you want or need to release?

I find that for me using a gaff in the kayak and then lifting the fish is an awkward motion that I’m not comfortable with.

A kage spear is the answer and it is amazing fun to stab a big halibut boatside.  They freeze the same and the downward motion of stabbing is much less awkward. 

Kage are of questionable legality for any fish other than sharks, skates, rays, and pacific halibut.

I think they are legal but CA DFW does not.  It's never been tested in court to my knowledge. I'd avoid them unless you want to be the test case.

It may be officer by officer, but we have met with and been checked out by DFG several times with halibuts that have holes in them from the kage and specifically took the opportunity to "self-incriminate" and verify the legality, and each time, the officers say they have no problem with the spear gaff.  These interactions have pretty drastically cooled off any paranoia we have in using them...