Quite surprised to see all these pros grab the line when landing fish. It some cases they damn near hand line the fish in. I�ve never had good experience doing that.

Do a lot of people grab the line like that?

Absolutely

I do it and have not had a bad experience doing so. I don't remember it being a big deal till Denny Brauer started gigging contestants on his Schooled TV show over it. Funny thing is he does it as well.

I don't understand why pros cant use a net in all tournaments. ? Can someone shed some light on that, hand lining a fish seems
bad for the fish,and unsafe for the fisherman.

Too me it makes it way to hard to keep constant pressure on the fish. Slack line when the fish is thrashing around and it comes unbuttoned easier.

I understand using the line to guide your hand down or move the fish closer but they put they grab on and put the rod down. Interesting to see.

I have done it. You want to make fairly sure the fish is about done.

How in the world is it bad for the fish?

I did it 6-7 times today. Always makes me nervous. Didn�t lose any.

I try not to, but sometimes it just happens. Never been a problem though

Easy peasy! And, it gets easier the more you do it!

I remember watching a segment on TV with KVD and he stated it was a recipe to lose a fish. I had never thought about it much before then.

Are you serious. Bad for the fish. Yet we pull them around with 80lb braid and extra heavy flipping sticks? I'm so sick of hearing all this bad for the fish carp. I think I'll start taking my 5 home and feeding my family. Well see how that works out for the fish.

I'll do it sometimes. I don't really care if the fish gets away at that point. Saves me the trouble of unhooking them and I'm going to let it go anyways. If its a really big fish I will just use a net. I have had a few cuts on my fingers from grabbing the line so you have to be careful with that. One thing you never want to grab is your rod halfway up when landing a fish. That's a recipe for a broken rod.

I try not to grab the line if its a big fish. It only has to cost you one double digit fish before you learn not to do it again. With the line in your hand, you've bypassed the protection of your reel's drag system. If a big fish jumps or shakes her head, she can snap that line in an instant. Especially if it has been compromised in any way.

I had an 11lb+ fish on the line, and my buddy (former) offered to lip her. Instead of grabbing her jaw, he grabs the line. She shook her head once and Ping! She was gone. That guy nearly had to swim home I was so pissed.

Don't grab the line.

There are so many things wrong with hand lining a fish that I won't even go into it. The only possible reason for doing so would be that you are in a position that using a net is unacceptable, such as a tournament that doesn't allow nets (idiotic rules) Watching those TV guys circle the boat 4 times and then lay down, reach in the water and scoop up a bass with a crankbait loaded with #2 trebles makes me just shake my head at the lack of common sense in the world today.