Are Keepnets necessary?

[peterpiker]

I have just read the thread on keeping Grayling in keepnets and I wondered what people on this fine site thought about keepnets in general.I think most people do use them although, unless you are on a match there doesn't seem to be much point.I have not used a net for around 15 years now and get by nicely without one.Some reasons for not using a keepnet are:can cause damage to fish,can spread disease,you have to carry the clumsy,heavy,smelly things around with you.Most people nowadays take a camera fishing so instead of keeping a nice fish in a net all day the best thing would be to take a quick photo and release the fish quickly.What do you think?

[Eyghon]

I have a keepnet and used it once last year when I was baggin up on Perch at Cumwell Lane but I've not used it since and unless match fishing (which I don't do) I don't really see the point myself.

Regards

[numptyspence]

I like to use a keep net it shouldn't matter if you are match fishing or not. I agree you shouldn't keep fish in the net all day. Perhapse 5 hours at the most then empty and start again. I gives me a really great felling to have a net full (i WISH) of fish at the end of the day.

[BOF]

I can see both sides of this, as I too like to have a netfull if I am fishing for "bits". But if I am going for Specimen size fish, I move swim far too often for one to be anything but a hindrance.
If I do catch a large fish, one that merits a photo. I just leave it in my landing net briefly, while I get set up.

BOF

[richwak]

In answer to your question, no keepnets are not necessary but if they increase the enjoyment of an angler and cause no harm to the fish i've got no problem with them. Filling them full of fish in the middle of summer is not ok, i take children fishing as part of my job and find that being able to have a look at all the fish they've caught gives them great pleasure so each to their own.

[Deleted]

Easy answer is no! ;D

[breamy]

me and my dad only use keepnets in matchs or at venues that allow them just to see what we catch in the day

dont always use them tho as sometimes i dont see the point sometimes

[Deleted]

richwak said:

In answer to your question, no keepnets are not necessary but if they increase the enjoyment of an angler and cause no harm to the fish i've got no problem with them. Filling them full of fish in the middle of summer is not ok, i take children fishing as part of my job and find that being able to have a look at all the fish they've caught gives them great pleasure so each to their own.

That's pretty much my view too. The "I don't use them so they should be banned" attitude that one sometimes hears (particularly amongst specimen hunters) is a dangerous path to follow. It might not affect you directly if keepnets are banned for, say, fish welfare reasons but what comes next? A ban on returning fish alive? Don't laugh, it's already happened in Germany and you only have to look north of the border to see a livebaiting ban being proposed. Angling is a pretty broad church and we need to be a bit more tolerant of each other if we're going to have a future.

[tommy1]

yep, richwaks got it in one, my sentiments entirely.

[Dr Barbus]

I use my twenty five year old for air drying Boilies ;D

[norbs]

The thing that really gets my goat about this issue is the blatant discrimination between match and pleasure anglers.

I find it unbelievable that you can sit on the next peg to someone fishing a match and not have the choice as to whether to use a keepnet or not.

Obviously I understand that it would be extremely difficult to run a match without keepnets, but if a fishery owner fears that keepnets have an adverse effect on the stock then they should either ban them outright or have the same rules for everyone.

Fishery owners of course arent going to ban keepnets totally because of the revenue they would lose through match bookings, but to discriminate really shouldn't be allowed....although I do agree that sensible timescales should be in force and certainly not allowed in extreme hot weather.

When are fishery owners going to realise that there is also some potential extra revenue in keepnets (they are a business afterall) and charge a quid or two extra for the use of a keepnet? Then at least you have the choice....

I'm like a lot of anglers and do enjoy seeing a nice net of fish at the end of the session, especially if I'm targetting smaller species. If I'm after bigger fish then I generally don't even bring a keepnet along!

Common-sense at the end of the day should be used, as anglers we have a responsibility to ensure that we aren't causing unnecessary stress to the fish....used properly I really can't see an issue with keepnets.

Norbs....

[Deleted]

Personally I only have a problem with keepnets if they are stuffed with fish (never happened to me) and if fish are kept in for too long (5 hours as mentioned seems like a good maximum).

Remember they can be used to revive fish after being caught and can help in reducing predator attacks upon release.

Personally I don't use one - not bothered about having a photo of a load of fish, the mind works in an anglers sort of way. If I do get something worth having a photo taken then I usually keep the fish in the landing net until I am ready - which isn't long. Also I can't be bother carting another piece of kit to the river bank with me.

[Finny]

I only use a keep net in matches and then the fish usually get lonely being on there own. ;D

[leeds2592]

I am like breamy and only use them where we are allowed and to see what we catch at the end of the day. I do not put large fish in them as i never catch large fish ;D

[naf]

In a nut shell NO, but then neither if pleasure fishing when you think of it. IMO it comes down to the satisfaction/pleasure you get out of fishing and if a keepnet boosts that then so be it, but i do think it is good that ALL anglers think about the welfare of the fish and minimising stress as much as possible whilst still enjoying what there doing

[DaveMac]

I agree with the general concensus of opinion. Each to his (or her) own. Personally I don't use mine. Fish welfare must come first. I think anyone planning on using one should think carefully before doing so, 5 hours in what is usually a shallow part of a fishing lake could be harzardous to fish on a very hot day, but should be ok on a river where the water is well oxygenated by the flow. I still shudder when remembering those pictures of all those barbel from the Trent last year. Think fish welfare at all times

Dave