Anyone ever try a net leash?

[SteveL]

I am sure that all the expert rec and comm crabbers on this board never do the klutzy stuff that I do when crabbing, like tangle a snood in the net while running the line, wrap the line around the prop, lose the end of the trotline as you try to attach the second float line (so you have to run back to the first float to find the line again and waste a lot of valuable early morning time) or drop the dip net in the water. I am sure that those kind of screw ups don't happen to most of the Crabboard experts

I do well most of the time but when things go wrong it seems like they go really wrong! On a trip earlier this year I lost my glasses, lunged for them and dropped the net, it promptly started sinking out of sight (with 1200 ft of line out, crabs running good, and no extra net onboard), and I went to great lengths to recover the net. :oops:

I recently purchased a really nice (and expensive!) crab net from Marty's in Edgewater--it has a stainless net basket on a heavy duty aluminum handle. Its a little bit too heavy to float, and I am worried about losing it if/when I pull a bonehead move. So I tied a short piece of bungee cord to the middle of the net handle and formed a loop to fit my hand through. It works well and I have the loop loose enough that I can get my hand out easily if something goes really wrong--like falling overboard.

On the water it can be a safety problem to be tethered to anything; I heard of a person in FL drowning as a result of using a cast net in moving water when the net snaged bottom as the boat was moving and the person was jerked overboard with a tight loop over their wrist that they could not free themselves from.

I would like to hear from other crabbers about anything they do to keep from losing their net, other than taking care to not drop it.

[tomytek]

A cheap and easy solution I use is cutting out a piece from a pool noodle and sliding it on the handle of my net. You can slide it where it does not get in the way. Another option is filling your handle with spray foam insulation. It's the red can called "Great Stuff" that can be found in most hardware stores. I did this to one of my nets, but it was quite messy. I think using a leash could become dangerous if it tangles around your leg or something.

[crabby and son]

A cheap and easy solution I use is cutting out a piece from a pool noodle and sliding it on the handle of my net. You can slide it where it does not get in the way. Another option is filling your handle with spray foam insulation. It's the red can called "Great Stuff" that can be found in most hardware stores. I did this to one of my nets, but it was quite messy. I think using a leash could become dangerous if it tangles around your leg or something.

I don't know which is worse.......drowning or losing your only net with 1200 feet out and a crab on each bait. :hysterical: Do whatever you can to keep your net. The feeling is like being with a beautiful woman and WAY to much to drink:eek2::hysterical:

[redbeard]

i persoaly would never tie wrap or loop any line around my body or ant part of my body while crabbin. since i'm usually alone when i crab this could be very dangerous. i once got the line wrapped around my hand at dark thirty in the morning while putting out line, lucky to get the boat in neutral in time. i do however always carry 1 or 2 extra nets every day.

[Burchbeer]

Good luck with the beautiful woman Gary.
Steve L, do you have an extra net yet? Pool noodle is a good move. The handle will stay right at the surface. Take a full noodle with you and trim until you have the least amount on the handle but 6" of the net handle is still above the surface to grab. BOL!

[gchambers]

I lost my favorite net I had for a long time. Tried a tether. Didn't like that. Used the noodle trick. Tried it in the pool first. works like a charm. :thumbup: Just adjust it where its not in your way. George

[POLECAT]

Steve, you're not the only crabber that has had those experiences.

The ones that claim those things never happen to them are liars.

Some days it's best to stay in bed!

Today was definitley NOT one of those days for me.

We removed several baskets of critters from the pax. They're still there and so are their offspring.

Came home with both nets too!

[crabby and son]

I got a net on the bottom in Battle Creek.doh..........Gary

[SteveL]

Steve L, do you have an extra net yet? Pool noodle is a good move. The handle will stay right at the surface. Take a full noodle with you and trim until you have the least amount on the handle but 6" of the net handle is still above the surface to grab. BOL!

Yes I have two--with the new net I have the old one as a backup. I like the noodle idea.

[27 sailfish]

A spare net does not take up much room and is worth it's weight in gold if your regular net is lost or breaks.

Years ago - on the Severn River , I was dipping crabs off the pilings. Bent the net handle about mid way and it broke when I tried to straighten it.
Added a whole new level using a dip net about 3 feet long.