I was humbled again today, trying to land fish on my 12� rod. I had the nasty habit of trying to swing the fish to me. Most of the time that worked at first then I started to snap my line as the fish arrived on my lap. I lost three due to a snap line. Then I broke out the net, problem is that my net has a short handle. So I figured out a way to pull the fish into the net and the problem was solved. It was not pretty doing so but it worked. I snapped my line a lot so took off the reel and replaced it with a reel with 8lb. It too snapped after landing a few fish when ever I suspended the fish. Granted, the line was getting beat up good. I guess I will need to buy a new net with a longer shaft�

How do you guys land your fish?

I'm from Ohio, so we are used to using 10-15' rods for steelhead, the trick is to leave the length of your rod, plus a foot or 2 out, then gently lift the rod up and toward you, he will stay in the water, and glide into your hand.
BOB

Well said Gator

Hey Sabot you need to go to WestBrook Metals and get thin wall aluminum pipe and replace the handle 6 to 8ft. What knot are you using? Try these two things and your problems will be solved.
GoodLuck
CrappieMaster

Yep...as Gator said. As you bring the fish up, raise the rod tip up..then as you start to see the fish, just keep raising the rod tip and he/she will come to the boat in the water.

You can put a lot of stress on the fish with the long rods...gotta either play them to the boat, or get an 8'+ landing net

Gator is exactly right. Especially when in the water. Tubin or wadin. I have used a 10.5 rod for years now, and unless I'm castin and reelin, that's all I use. Sometimes when jiggin in shallow depths, I only have a foot or 2 of line out, which leave me opening the bale on the spinning reel that is usually on that rod. In fast water, that can be a bit of fun.

I landed a 40 lb flat head on that rod in Nov from my tube. This fish took almost an hour an a half to get to where I could get my hand in it's mouth. Then the fun started.

Scott, I use a loop knot most of the time. I tried a few other knots but the line broke in the same area. The line broke ahead of the knot, just a 1/4" towards the reel every time. I was just putting too much stress on the line when I lifted the fish. I have not had this issue before, just strange. I reduced the breakage by landing the fish via a net.

I ended up learning the hard way to do as Gator pointed out. Thanks all!

You need one of these http://www.adventureproducts.com/

We lost Duck Jerky's net on our way back from Arkansas when it blew out of the boat so he needs one too.

I am still using a short handled net and it is not fun to land a fish with using long rod fishing by yourself.

I just noticed EGO now has the rubber mesh net. I plan to buy one as soon as I figure out how. It looks like you can only order the mesh nets from them at this time but surely they will get the rubber mesh out to the consumer soon.

Nice net! How much does it cost? Looking at BPS, wow... $50 and up for a rubber mesh net!

Normally, I fling the fish to my back seater until he gets pissy.

I have an EGO mesh reach and it is a great net...The rubber looks good to...long handle...

I just called and ordered the EGO Reach with a rubber net...$39.99...

I to got tired of the line breaking and I went to spider wire and breaded line! Now I can yank them and not worry as much about the line snapping!

Guys,
You can also get the rubber net and add to any frame of choice. I had one(entire net) given to me as a gift and liked it so much that I saw where I could get a replacement rubber net and add to my own frame and converted my other one to that net. Adds more time to fishing due to no hanging in net. Only drawback is most are not quite deep enough or don't stretch much so u have to be efficient in your net procedure. The aluminum extension is a great suggestion for several reasons. It extends the net when needed and you do not lose the short if you need that as well.

I just ordered an EGO extendable handle rubber mesh net. I'm hoping to eliminate snags with my double hook trolling rigs. I hope it works as good as I expect it too.

Hey bud, a polomar not has close to 100% knot strength. A loop doesn't have enough strength, it's very weak.
GoodLuck CrappieMaster

just curious, why a 12 ft rod. have seen a lot of people use long rods but seem s to me it would be a bit awarkward. i use a 8ft fly rod. any advantage with a 12 compared to an 8?