How to net baby bass in the shallows?

[lix.ma14]

I recently went back from a local fishing trip. At that large pond, i saw hundreds of baby 1.5 inch bass and such in the shallows along the rocks. i only managed to get one that was accidently jumped onto the shore. I brought a butterfly net and I baited my fish hook with shrimp. A group of 10 bass came nibbling at the shrimp but when I swoop the net, the bass just swim away!! Any tactic here??? How do you guys catch these fish?? they are way too small the get hooked. Are there any tiny hooks that can be bought??

thanks

 

[probassfisher010]

They use throw nets, may or may not be legal in your state


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[Jacunaba]

If you dont have any fly hooks availalable, take a treble hook and cut two of the three hooks off. Just a plain gold hook will do the trick with them.

 

[MN_Rebel]

First thing, check on your fishing regulations to see if it is legal to keep an undersized gamefish and see any legal methods.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

First check what the minimum size is before you grab those, but if you have a decent amount of time you can set a fish trap, smallies use to end up in my trap all the time.

 

[Coues]

Use a cast net. Never heard of them being completely illegal, but there are size regulations in most states. Usually 3' diameter is largest allowed. Pretty simple to use once you figure it out. A little tip, keep one part in your teeth when you throw to keep the net open. Release at right time and it'll open every time. Good luck.

 

[nikond70s]

maybe try one of those trap nets/cages? with some bait inside it. or try using tiny hooks to fish them out.

 

[Coues]

I've also had luck with very small spinner baits for bass. Get an all black rooster tail or similar in-line spinner in as small a size as possible. 1/16 oz maximum. I've caught 2" bass doing this for my aquariums. Works better than small hooks with bait. It's a reaction strike and they never get hooked too deep.

 

[fisher12889]

Netting gamefish is illegal in most places....

They make hooks down to a size 32, most likely plenty small enough for those guys.

 

[WckedMidas]

safety pin the bait to the botom of the net when they go in the net to eat pull it out. or just use a minnow trap like everyone else. lol