By Weston BarrettWhy a Landing Net Matters
A landing net does more than help you bring a fish to hand. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a knotless, rubber-coated landing net supports the fish’s body weight and reduces the removal of protective slime. Keep Fish Wet also points out that rubber nets are less abrasive than knotted nylon mesh, causing less damage to scales, fins, and gills. By using the right net, you can land fish faster, minimize stress, and improve the fish’s chance of survival after release. For a broader look at tools that make fishing safer and more efficient, see our Essential Fishing Tools guide.
Net Material and Fish Safety
Fish have a layer of protective mucus, or slime, and scales that guard against infection and disease. The Keep Fish Wet Principles explain that contact with dry, hard, or rough surfaces can remove this slime and scales, making fish more susceptible to fungal infections. The FWC advises handling fish as little as possible and only with wet hands to preserve this protective coating. A landing net helps stabilize the fish during unhooking and measuring, but the net material makes a big difference.
Keep Fish Wet recommends rubber nets because they are less abrasive and do less damage to slime, scales, fins, and gills than knotted nylon mesh nets. Additionally, hooks snag less on rubber nets, which can help reduce the time the fish is out of the water. The FWC specifically calls a knotless, rubber-coated landing net ideal for handling a fish since it supports the fish’s body weight. Choosing a net that minimizes abrasion and hook snags is a simple step that benefits every released fish.
| Net Material | Effect on Fish | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber or rubber-coated knotless net | Less abrasive; protects slime, scales, fins, and gills. Supports body weight well. Hooks snag less, reducing handling time. | Recommended by FWC and Keep Fish Wet for catch-and-release fishing. |
| Knotted nylon mesh net | More abrasive; can remove slime and scales. Hooks may snag, increasing time out of water. | Keep Fish Wet notes that rubber nets do less damage than knotted nylon mesh nets. |
Hoop Size and Handle Length
The FWC recommends matching your tackle to the fish you target so you can land it quickly and minimize stress. The same principle applies to your landing net. A larger hoop can accommodate bigger fish, while a smaller hoop is easier to manage for panfish or trout. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) suggests having a landing net ready to stabilize fish while you unhook and measure them.
For boat fishing, a handle long enough to reach the water comfortably is helpful. If you fish from a high pier or bridge, the FWC advises using specialized gear such as pier nets or slings that support the fish’s entire body; large fish can be injured if dropped or not supported properly. When you cannot safely lift a fish, the FWC says to cut the line as close to the fish as possible before releasing it. Beyond that, pick a handle length that reaches the water from where you usually fish. If you use multi-hook rigs, be aware that the FWC suggests avoiding them to reduce handling time; learn more about rig options in our Common Fishing Rigs article.
How to Net a Fish
The MDC provides clear steps for netting a fish: net fish head first. Place your net in the water and guide the fish toward it. When the fish is over the net, lift it firmly and quickly. The FWC adds that you should always release a fish head first into the water, which forces water through the mouth and over the gills, essentially giving it a “breath of fresh air.” Keep Fish Wet advises keeping fish in or over the water while you handle them.
When you need to handle the fish, wet your hands first, as both the MDC and FWC recommend. Use a dehooking tool to remove the hook quickly and with minimal handling; the FWC notes that even a pair of needle-nose pliers counts as a dehooking tool. If the fish is deeply hooked or especially large, cut the line as close to the hook as you can while the fish is still in the water. These steps reduce handling time and help the fish recover.
Keeping the Fish Wet and Limiting Air Exposure
The Keep Fish Wet Principles emphasize three key actions: minimize air exposure, minimize contact with dry surfaces, and reduce handling time. Even short durations of air exposure (as little as 10-20 seconds for some species) can harm fish. Keep the fish’s mouth and gills fully submerged as much as possible. For photographs, Keep Fish Wet Tips suggest photographing your fish while it is in the water, and if you do lift it, keep air exposure to 10 seconds or less. The FWC also recommends taking pictures of the fish while in the water, holding it horizontally and supporting its weight with both hands. Never hold a fish by its jaw, gills, or eyes. These practices help ensure the fish can recover and swim away strong.
Fishing Regulations and Ethical Angling
Fishing rules, including gear restrictions, size limits, and bag limits, vary by state and even by specific waterbody. The FWC emphasizes knowing current regulations and how to measure the fish you target to minimize handling time. Keep Fish Wet reminds anglers to follow local regulations; in some places and for some species, it is illegal to remove fish from the water. Before you go fishing, check with your state wildlife agency for the rules that apply where you’ll be fishing.
Frequently asked questions
What type of net is best for catch and release?
Rubber or rubber-coated knotless nets are recommended. Keep Fish Wet explains that rubber nets are less abrasive and do less damage to fish slime, scales, fins, and gills than knotted nylon mesh nets. The FWC also calls a knotless, rubber-coated landing net ideal because it supports the fish’s body weight, and Keep Fish Wet adds that hooks snag less on rubber nets.
How do I net a fish without harming it?
Net the fish head first, as the Missouri Department of Conservation advises. Submerge the net, guide the fish over it, and lift firmly and quickly. Keep the fish in or over the water whenever possible. If you must handle it, wet your hands first to protect the slime coat. Use a dehooking tool to remove the hook quickly, and if the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line close to the hook while the fish is still in the water.
Do I need a net for pier fishing?
The FWC recommends only bringing a fish onto a pier or bridge if you intend to harvest it. For catch-and-release, use specialized gear like pier nets or slings that support the fish’s entire body to avoid injury from dropping. If you cannot properly lift the fish, cut the line as close to the fish as possible before releasing it, which may mean walking the fish to shore if fishing from a pier.
For more fishing tools, see our Fishing Tools category.
Sources
- Florida FWC: Fish Handling and Gear
- Keep Fish Wet: Tips
- Keep Fish Wet: Principles
- Missouri Department of Conservation: An Introduction to Fishing
About Weston Barrett
Weston researches and writes buying guides and how-to articles on beginner & family fishing. Picks are based on product specifications, brand reputation and patterns in owner feedback, and are updated as new models come out.
