By Dan Carns
When it comes to landing fish in a kayak everyone has their preferred method, some use a net, some do not. There is no right or wrong here, it’s really a personal preference. As an instructor I’ve come to recognize that most folks do not have a net, so I teach fish handling 101 in a kayak. Unless you’re catching little fish, never use the rod tip to bring a fish into your craft, you know that move when you yank a fish overhead and its jumping around in the air, the rod tip is swinging back and forth, you hoping it lands in the cockpit like a gymnast sticking a landing. This move has broken more rod tips than car doors, so it’s best to bring the fish broadside to your kayak. I know you’re thinking now that you’ve hooked your personal best redfish you want to get it in as fast as possible, but truthfully, you want to play this fish, enjoy the fight, make her a little tired before attempting to boat her. Use your rod tip to bring her along the rail of your craft, preferably facing the same direction as you and slip your hand underneath the belly, this move also ensures your hand is wet (good for the fish) then simply lift and roll the fish up into your cockpit. Now that she’s in, always take a moment to open your bail and stick the rod in a holder so it’s out of the way. If you’re going to take a picture leave the hook in just in case it launches back out or use a fish grip.
Make no mistake, landing nets are the most efficient and secure way possible. Like anything else there are drawbacks to using a net; do you have a decent place to store it and can you get to it readily when the time comes. By far the biggest problem arrives when you’re casting and you hook it, so it needs to be out of the way for the back cast especially with treble hooks. Make sure to purchase a coated net, as the hooks won’t penetrate the nylon mesh while your fish is writhing around once in the net. Also make sure the net spacing is wide because treble hooks will get tangled in multiple holes and be hard to extract. Design factors to consider when buying a net: some are folding or collapsible, while another style is telescoping. Just keep in mind that we’re kayak fishing and the fish is going to be really close to you once it comes along side, so the handle doesn’t need to be too long. I prefer an oval shape with a deep pocket, as some of our inshore fish can be big!
It’s A Wild World-Get Out There!
Fishman Dan
Dan Carns at 239-283-1125
