Critical Moments: Tools For Landing Fish

Catching a big fish is a special moment with lots of things leading up to it. Finding productive spots, catching bait, taking care of bait, tackle prep, time on the water, the list goes on and on. Once that fishing rod folds over and you go toe-to-fin with the fish of your dreams, few parts of the fight lead to as much anxiety as the moment where the fish’s massive head comes out of the water and you have to decide how you’re going to land it. A net is a great tool not only for landing fish, but keeping your blood pressure in check during these critical moments.

Not all nets are designed for all situations. A trout wading net is not the preferred tool for landing a 20 pound channel cat, although it will work if needed, maybe. Sometimes a net isn’t even the best option. When wading small streams, I prefer to keep things to a minimum, and a net is large and bulky and gets in the way when I’m trying to cover water. I simply tie on a heavier leader, generally 20 pound test, and haul the eater-size channel cats out of the water by lifting the line. Sure, I’ll lose a couple, but generally action is fast enough I don’t have issues catching a few for dinner, and I believe the additional mobility gives me more opportunities to catch them. Not taking a net keeps me light and mobile.

Another instance where a net is not a good idea is kayak fishing in current. Not only does it take up a lot of space in a kayak, but it can be down right dangerous. A large net catches a lot of water, and when attempting to net a large fish with said large net, the water resistance against the flowing water can cause your kayak to dip, spin, or both, leading to instability and potential flipping. Not something you want anywhere, but especially not when you’re upstream of a logjam. Kayakers and canoers call them strainers for a reason.

Where nets really shine are stable platforms, either a boat or the bank, especially in those moments when you hook a fish you’re very interested in catching. Whisker Seeker ExTender nets have several features that make it easier and more effective to land that fish.

The first characteristic that not only helps land big fish, but the one it was named after, is it’s extendable handle. Depending on the size of net you’re using, it can extend anywhere from 60” to 74”. This gives you the reach necessary to land fish no matter where the fish pops up. Once the fish is landed, the net handle slides almost entirely back in the the ring of the net, allowing you to store it nicely out of the way.

The next handy thing about the net is the rubberized control grip handle. No matter what net you use, never, and I mean never, lift a big fish by the handle of the net. Point the handle straight up in the air and lift by the hoop of the net. Even the toughest nets will crumple under the weight of a 50 pound catfish. The control grip handle built onto the hoop of the net is a convenient place to grab when hauling the big ones into the boat or onto the bank, and your net will last a lot longer because of it.