This is one of my greatest concerns. I'm constantly making sure life jackets, pliers, and other stuff aren't on top of it.

+1 No nets for me if I'm alone. You just gotta learn how to time a boat flip and how to cradle them in the water if you're trying to avoid the treble hooks.

Fishing from a kayak ads a few more moving parts to landing a good un.

We had a 7.69 pounder come unhooked just as we netted her last year. It would have cost us $3,200 if we hadn't landed that fish, so I'm pretty much in favor of netting good ones in tournaments.

I had a similar thing happen to me at squaw creek media ind. This year. my last cast I caught my 7.69 and had the net ready to go. for some reason my arm decided to throw my net about ten ft from the boat, and this fish is not happy. so I laid down on the deck to lip it. he decided to make a run under the boat so I stand up to get him turned at that time the net was floating just in reach so I barely get it and land the fish with minutes to spare before I had to check in. It was a circus !

Barrett is my hero

I can't tell you how many times a fish has come unhooked as soon as I get it in the net. Dozens at least. Those were all fish that would've been lost without the net, and one of them was the biggest fish I've ever seen in person. I'm a net man.

Does anyone else use the passenger rod ramp to hold the net and keep it free for a quick grab? Or is it strictly over the butt seat on the back deck?

Mine always go over console with handle facing towed front of boat. I usually just grab fish alone. But like net out when I'm cranking because I have been hooked to many times for that cr@p

When it counts in a tourney... I put the net on the floor with the handle tilting up towards me so that's easier to grab.. Since it's not laying flat and I can grab it at the last second. Stick the handle in your armpit if she makes a last minute run and be praying the whole time!

I fished squaw alone at one
of the team tournaments. It's
just not the netting it's everything.


Catch a fish retie take a drink
and your 30 yards off your spot.

I actually prefer fishing tournies alone , It means I can do what I want and don't have to worry about anyone in the back of the boat. I also don't usually carry a net. I either boat flip them or lip them.

I fish by myself 80-90% of the time because of my work schedule. I almost hate using a net solo. Its more hassle than its worth and has cost me fish in the past. I usually hand land mine if they are too big to swing in.

Finally, the response Barrett was trolling for.

Barrett, you fish with Power tackle rods don't you? Just boat flip anything under about 11 pounds.