What are you guys using for a net with these 30lb + pigs?

[jacksdad]

Broke my aluminum framed net last week and was wondering what you guys are finding is best way to land these big arsed rockfish.

[Gone Coastal]

(Retracting handle) Net from Atlantic Bait and Tackle (and boga-style grabber or hand-lip the fish)

[abrig005]

Saw some people gaffing last week. As you know that is illegal. What I didnt know is that even if the fish is dead you cannot move or have a gaff in a striper. My buddy was pulling two big striper to the cleaning station and was nabbed by marine police for "gaffing a striper". He went to court. The judge said, "The law states you cannot gaff a striper anytime". Anytime is dead or alive! He had to pay the fine. SO dont buy a cheap net!

[fishingruss]

Saw some people gaffing last week. As you know that is illegal. What I didnt know is that even if the fish is dead you cannot move or have a gaff in a striper. My buddy was pulling two big striper to the cleaning station and was nabbed by marine police for "gaffing a striper". He went to court. The judge said, "The law states you cannot gaff a striper anytime". Anytime is dead or alive! He had to pay the fine. SO dont buy a cheap net!

Another example of Marine Police being dickHe@@@. Can't believe a judge wants his time wasted like that.

[David-C]

Sometime somebody said "the law is an ass"...

Mr. Google is my friend!

This proverbial expression is of English origin and the ass being referred to here is the English colloquial name for a donkey, not the American 'ass', which we will leave behind us at this point. Donkeys have a, somewhat unjustified, reputation for obstinance and stupidity that has given us the adjective 'asinine'. It is the stupidly rigid application of the law that this phrase calls into question.

It is easy to find reference works and websites that attribute the phrase to Charles Dickens, who put it into print in Oliver Twist, 1838. When Mr. Bumble, the unhappy spouse of a domineering wife, is told in court that "...the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction", replies:

"If the law supposes that," said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, "the law is an ass - an idiot".

In fact, 'the law is an ass' is from a play published by the English dramatist George Chapman in 1654 - Revenge for Honour:

Ere he shall lose an eye for such a trifle... For doing deeds of nature! I'm ashamed. The law is such an ass.

[Mike Avery]

Once the fish is in the net, point the handle straight up in the air and grab the rims of the net (not the handle) and lift the fish up and over. The nets are normally broken by trying to lift the fish using the handle. You would think they would be strong enough to lift by the handle but they are not, at least not for the 30-40 lbers.

[tduling]

[Kevin Smith]

Something like this one works well for big fish, but lift them straight up handle first.


http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...ing_googlebase


Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[Dutch]

I don't know about anyone else, but I have been using a very long handled (2.5 foot) boga grip. It might not be the ideal method, but I have had great success with it. Not sure I would do it on a release because of the stress on the fish, but for a keeper.....not a problem. Mine is not actually a boga...but the bass pro model I have had for about 8 years with no problems. You just have to get used to it and make sure there is pressure on the pincers before you lift. I do think it is less stress on the fish then trying with a net that is clearly too small. I don't really have room for the super large net.

[bring_em_on]

It's easier to just use your hands. Haven't used a net in years. Just grab the leader, get a grip on the parachute head, then in the mouth and bring it over the side.