Fishing Forum

Does any body know where to get a narrow net for getting bigger fish out of a small hole?

Been fishing with 4# test and catching a lot of 20" plus fish the last few days. I don't like to struggle with the fish too much sence I am going to be letting them go.

My auger hole is 8" and the ice is over 12 " thick so I wish I had a long narrow net to get them out.







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Instead of a net, you may want to give one of these a try.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-Grabber-...4ab33e7945
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Upgrade to a 10" auger and purchase my Fish Elevator and problem solved.[] Or you could purchase an 8" Fish Elevator.
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A Handy Pak Net would probably work. http://handypaknetco.com/

It is a flexible spring steel net hoop. I am pretty sure it you could hold the net in the middle to keep the hoop narrow and scoop a fish.

Trout don't do well with lip grippers. Their jaws can't take that kind of force.

BTW it is a nice net for brush scrambling.
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I should add, that if you try to use a net, clear the edge and sides of your holes so that you don't have frozen chips to get hung up on. Seems like the smoother your hole is would be the best. Might freeze to the ice too!

Ghost net bag?
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Here are two pictures of the Handy Pak Net. The first one is it relaxed. The second is with my hand compressing the sides back by the handle. The front of the net is about 6 inches when compressed, but it will conform or compress a little more if pushed.

You could probably make something similar to fit your situation.

I think the nylon bag would be a problem on the ice. a rubber Ghost bag might be better.
[inline HandyPakNet1.jpg]

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[quote DKStroutfitter]Instead of a net, you may want to give one of these a try.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-Grabber-...4ab33e7945[/quote]


You don't see this as being harmful to Trout?
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I use one of these, picked them up at cabelas for about 12 bucks, they work grate and they float so if you drop them in they don't sink to the bottom


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They work great if you are going to keep the fish, but they are a death sentence for many trout. Even if it swims away, it is might be so damaged it won't live long.

Trout are built different. If they are suspended by their jaw, it can do a lot of damage. It is likely to break the jaw, break the bones in the mouth, detach the , cause damage to their backbone at the nape of the neck, cause internal hemorrhaging and organ displacement. It can die from any one of those injuries.
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[#0000FF]Long handled reach tongs will work for many fish. I have been using some $2 cheapies from Harbor Freight since 2009. Besides helping bring fish up out of the hole they are great for picking up scattered fish...and "other people's" trash. When you get old and don't like to bend over the extra reach is helpful.

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How bout upgrading to 6# test? Seems like a better solution than attempting to net a fish through an 8" hole....






Hey -- while we're at it: I've been looking for a good stringer for use on the ice. I hate dragging a cooler out on the ice, and want a good way to keep my fish fresh while ice-fishing. What stringers do you guys use?
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[quote redfrog]I use one of these, picked them up at cabelas for about 12 bucks, they work grate and they float so if you drop them in they don't sink to the bottom

[.img]http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_013780_999_01?rgn=0,0,1698,854&scl=4.468421052631579&fmt=jpeg&id=1Fli-y3MNOjG1nniUkAELM[/img][/quote]


I have those as well. Used them "once" They are great for ripping lips off or dislocating Trout jaws.
Open water they are a little better in that you can cradle the belly .
Needless to say, I don't use those anymore.
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I would think that a net down the hole would just give the fish something to wrap your line around and break you off. It is what it is. #6 test might be a better answer, but then again it may reduce your success.
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PBH, ye 6# would solve that problem some. I just kind of like to fish with as light of line as I can get away with just for fun.[cool]

Cpierce and Flygodess, You have a good point about yanking on a trout's jaw.

I went to a meeting this summer with the DWR where they were talking about some concerns that some of the locals had about a Trophy Water that I fish.

The biologist for this lake said that each fish is caught 4 to 5 times before it gets killed in this particular water. { I don't know how they know that}

He said trollers with treble hooks and tight drags kill the most, followed by ice fishermen rough handling.
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I use a plastic bag.
Never thought about a stringer. I can't see trying to put a stringer of fish back down an ice hole.
My fish are fresh frozen.
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I agree with Dks. Plenty cold to not worry about spoil. If you are adimit about it, jyst use your regular stinger and secure it with a tent srcew.
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[quote DKStroutfitter]I use a plastic bag.
Never thought about a stringer. I can't see trying to put a stringer of fish back down an ice hole.
My fish are fresh frozen.[/quote]

[quote NickBfattrout]I agree with Dks. Plenty cold to not worry about spoil. If you are adimit about it, jyst use your regular stinger and secure it with a tent srcew.[/quote]


Exactly why I love this site. I love you guys.

(suggestions on nets and stringers for ICE fishing. I LOVE IT!)


Now that we have nets and stringers figured out, I'm also curious about other strategies. Particularly about using peas. I understand that they work well when sprinkled around your ice hole?

oh, wait. That's polar bear hunting. Sorry. My bad.
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When I do keep a couple of fish, I hate having icicles to clean. I just drill another hole, use a polyethylene cord stringer, and attach it to an Eskimo brand shanty anchor.
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Guedbrod EZ fold net will do what you are asking for. might want to figure out an extension for thicker ice. Stick with the 4lb line,better to loose a couple fish than not catch any because of the lack of sensativity of 6.
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